Zoos, circuses, and other for-profit organizations have been thriving and generating traditions for hundreds of years; however, they have caused considerable public controversy concerning ethical boundaries. While these ethical concerns are on standby, the benefits of these organizations overrule. They are an extraordinary place for scientific research, family traditions, wildlife conservation, and public education. Zoos, circuses, and aquariums are valuable to the animals they withhold, and are an important part of today’s society. The definition of the term, “zoo”, has greatly changed since the first classified zoos in the 17th through 19th centuries. In early times, zoos were created in order to show wealth and power. The bigger the zoo the more superiority one had. Fortunately, the ideas of zoos have altered in the 20th and 21st centuries. When the 20th century zoos formed, the wealth and power aspect of zoo animals diminished. Consequently, this transformed zoos and aquariums into sanctuaries …show more content…
By bringing people and animals together, this allows zoos to educate the public and create an appreciation for animals. Rex Ettlin, Director of zoological education at the Oregon State Zoo said, “A Zoo’s paramount purpose is to promote wildlife conservation. A zoo exists to educate, research, and let interaction happen, but its primary purpose is to educate.” This shows that zoos want nothing else then to raise awareness of animals through education of the public. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums state that when using animals for education, the education possibilities in regards to topics are inexhaustible. While many types of education occur, special emphasis placed on conservation education. World organizations state their purpose of national zoos. The primary purpose is to conserve rare species of animals. The only way to do this is to educate the