Yes: L.G.

As families walk into the zoo, the world suddenly goes quiet. All they can hear is nature, laughter and animals. The zoo is a place for people to learn more about wildlife and create memories with their loved ones. The zoo brings families together and gets them away from the otherwise loud and demanding lives in suburbs and cities. There is a large debate as to whether zoos are ethical and if they are necessary, but they most certainly are, considering their contributions to mental health, education, conservation and rehabilitation. 

Mental health is a critical aspect of health, and going to the zoo can help prioritize this. Many studies demonstrate that being in nature is a key aspect of a prosperous life; what better way to do that than going to the zoo?

Zoos are also very important for education. They are not just enclosures with animals in them, but living and breathing classrooms. They allow children to see and interact with animals firsthand, helping them learn about how important the bond between humans and animals is. Seeing animals in zoos inspires new generations to take care of the planet, and without them, many children would not learn about animals from all over the world, and many children would not find love for them. 

Zoos can also be crucial players in the conservation of animals. Because of zoos, many animals on the brink of extinction in the past are now thriving. Some of these animals include the gorilla, red wolf and the California condor. At one point, there were only 27 California condors left in the world, but now, because of the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo’s conservation efforts, there are hundreds in the wild. 

Zoos also contribute to rehabilitation efforts. Many animals that are hurt and then rescued at zoos are given a second chance at life. For example Zoo Miami has  its own sea turtle hospital. Many sea turtles suffer from boat injuries, fishing gear injuries and viruses. The zoo seeks out to save these turtles and help them have a speedy recovery. Additionally, they have a panther recovery program where they nurse panthers and teach them survival instincts..

After doing some research into Zoo Miami, I realized the benefits of zoos and while I once might have found them unethical I realize the true meaning they have in our society. 

My neighbor is Ron Magill, an alumnus of Miami Palmetto Senior High and current Director of Zoo Miami, and his love for animals and all the good he does at Zoo Miami changed my opinion. Magill is one of my role models, as I am an animal lover and at one point thought of becoming a zookeeper. I used to never want to go but now that I see all the effort that they put into helping animals and rehabilitating them, I cannot wait to go back.

No: B.W.

Patrons often walk into zoos with the illusion that the animals are being rehabilitated or saved from their unsafe habitat in the wild, their natural habitat. This is often untrue. These animals are often trapped in small cages, leading them to suffer from anxiety and depression.

The first zoos were created as a way for the wealthy to show off their power. They had private collections of exotic animals called menageries, to display their wealth and provide entertainment. The idea of the modern zoo came during the Age of Enlightenment, with the first zoo being built in Paris, France in 1793. These early zoos were essentially museums of living beings, and the same can be said about today’s zoos. The animals were kept in extremely tight areas and packed as tightly as possible. While zoos have definitely improved their standards, the idea stays the same: fitting as many animals as possible to maximize profit in a capitalistic society. This is unethical.

While, yes, some animals, such as the Arabian oryx and the California condor, have been saved from extinction due to zoos, these institutions cause more harm than good. The effect that zoos have on captive animals’ mental health has been given its own name: zoochosis. Zoochosis is a disease that stems from the extreme sensory deprivation captivity imposes upon animals. It is a mental disorder that causes unsafe, abnormal behavior. Some common behaviors are pacing, swaying, vomiting,regurgitation, eating disorders, hair pulling,feather plucking, playing with excrement, addiction and self-harm. If you saw this in a child, any sane person would be quick to react; what makes animals any different? Zoos are pure evil. Entertainment and minimal benefits are not enough to offset the torture of animals who are unable to speak for themselves. 

These animals are not able to make decisions for themselves; being held in captivity strips them of their autonomy. Zoos limit where animals can go, what they can eat and other basic rights the animals deserve. What gives humans the right to steal animals out of their natural habitat? Nothing. Humans do not get to decide what is best for the animals while denying them the right to live the life they were meant for. 

Zoos are immoral in every single sense. Animals are put into captivity after being captured from their life in the wild and given half the life they deserve.