Persuasive Essay: Why Are Zoos Are Good?

The difference between right and wrong is not always perfectly clear. A long-standing part of cultures across the world, zoological and animal parks have been around for hundreds of years. While in the past concerns and issues regarding the ethical problems zoos seem to impose were less prominent, in recent times the rise of animal rights activist groups and new generational values have influenced the way people view these parks. Critics believe that zoos are an unnatural habitat for animals and force them to live in captivity, having a negative impact on their health. Yet, there are still many remaining who fully support zoos, citing business and educational reasons. Some supporters even acknowledge the ethical problems zoos face, but choose
In “Why zoos are good” Dr. Dave Hone highlights education as one of the main reasons he supports zoos, mentioning how many people who live in cities may never get to experience wild animals if it weren’t for zoos. Hone states educational videos and documentaries are an option, but they “pale next to seeing a living creature in the flesh, hearing it, smelling it, watching what it does and having the time to absorb details” (Hone). Not only do zoos provide interactive learning opportunities and a direct opportunity to experience how animals behave in the flesh, Hones notes zoos can be educational else where, as a significant amount work to send workers abroad to conservatives to help educate others on how to improve conditions for the animals. However, there is another side to the educational perspective. A critic of zoos, Yourofsky argues against the positive education experience others believe zoos provide, supporting his opinion with how the animals are in their unnatural habitats. Yourofsky writes, “one cannot learn about animals who are in an UNNATURAL habitat displaying UNNATURAL behaviors from the stress of confinement and lethargy of captivity” (Yourofsky). Hence, from this logic the educational experience is minimized because the animals are in an inaccurate environment, impacting behavior and differentiating from how they would truly behave
Specifically, in Georgina Allen’s article, “Can Zoos still be a Good Place For Animals?” she recognizes the good zoos do, such as education and conservation, but also points out how numerous zoos are also responsible for animal cruelty. According to Allen, the issue “is not black or white, it 's not even 50 shades of gray, it 's a flamboyant multi-colored array of differing and passionate opinions” (Allen). Instead of asking for the abolishment of zoos, Allen offers a solution to what she feels like would make zoos more acceptable in todays society; compassion. Compassionate zoos are the ones that should reign in the future, not ones that participate in animal cruelty. Furthermore, while zoos should conserve and encourage educational experience within their park, Allen points out it’s also important to take a compassionate approach in caring for each individual animal. As zoos focus more on education and conservation, they sometimes forget that animals are not alive in terms of population and individual welfare is important. Thus, it appears that Allen is taking a middle ground approach to the ongoing debate about zoos, because she is open to zoos, when they are compassionate, yet fully recognizes the downside of animal