An astonishing 175 million people visit zoos each year. That more than major league baseball, football, hockey and basketball, combined. People enjoy visiting zoos immensely, so why should we take that enjoyable and cherishable experience away? No where can a person go to one place and see such a variety of animals, unless you travel to somewhere such as Africa. An African Safari does not guarantee that you will be surrounded by all animals that are kept at zoos. Do a city zoos foster amusement and education for humans or do they violate the individual rights of the animals? Some animal activists would argue that the confined cages and concrete floors are not a decent replacement for the animal’s natural habitat, when in fact zoo habitats are
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An endangered species is a species present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction. Zoos are helping to make sure they moved of the endangered species list and don't become extinct. With this intention, “Dozens of zoos across North America participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program, which aims to manage the breeding of specific endangered species in order to maintain healthy and self sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable”(How 1). The AZA now administers 113 different SSPs covering 181 individual species. The ultimate goal for SSPs is to release the captive-bred species into their native wild habitats. SSPs are not only used to manage breeding of specific species, but also used as an animal analysis tool. With this in mind, “Zoos also use SSPs as a research tool; to better understand wildlife biology and population dynamics, and raise awareness and funds to better support field projects and habitat protection for specific species”(How 2). Not only are the SSPs trying to raise and release animals into the wild, but they are also trying to achieve a better understanding of the species and how they can remove it from the endangered species list. Some may argue that SSPs are interfering the natural life cycle of animals. Although this may be true, according to Jane …show more content…
Where is there a place to visit where you can get within inches and learn about a Bengal Tiger? Zoos are very educational places. In fact, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums states “AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums play a vital role in educating over 175 million visitors, and 12 million-students in the classroom or in the field, about animals, their habitats, their related conservation issues and the ways they can contribute to their conservation(Education 1). Zoos can provide first-hand information about what students are being educated about in school. In addition to educating students and visitors, zoos also educate teachers. Moreover, according to the AZA “Over the past ten years, AZA-accredited institutions have also trained more than 400,000 teachers with award-winning and proven science curricula. Not only are zoos educating visitors, but they are also educating teachers. The teachers now have direct knowledge to better educate their students. Opponents might say that people are not being educated correctly or their not being educated at all. On the contrary, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “AZA member volunteers work collaboratively within AZA committees, animal programs, and scientific advisory groups to provide valuable visitor research data, educational information, resources, planning tools, and activities to enhance conservation education for kids and
An endangered species is a species present in such small numbers that it is at risk of extinction. Zoos are helping to make sure they moved of the endangered species list and don't become extinct. With this intention, “Dozens of zoos across North America participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program, which aims to manage the breeding of specific endangered species in order to maintain healthy and self sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable”(How 1). The AZA now administers 113 different SSPs covering 181 individual species. The ultimate goal for SSPs is to release the captive-bred species into their native wild habitats. SSPs are not only used to manage breeding of specific species, but also used as an animal analysis tool. With this in mind, “Zoos also use SSPs as a research tool; to better understand wildlife biology and population dynamics, and raise awareness and funds to better support field projects and habitat protection for specific species”(How 2). Not only are the SSPs trying to raise and release animals into the wild, but they are also trying to achieve a better understanding of the species and how they can remove it from the endangered species list. Some may argue that SSPs are interfering the natural life cycle of animals. Although this may be true, according to Jane …show more content…
Where is there a place to visit where you can get within inches and learn about a Bengal Tiger? Zoos are very educational places. In fact, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums states “AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums play a vital role in educating over 175 million visitors, and 12 million-students in the classroom or in the field, about animals, their habitats, their related conservation issues and the ways they can contribute to their conservation(Education 1). Zoos can provide first-hand information about what students are being educated about in school. In addition to educating students and visitors, zoos also educate teachers. Moreover, according to the AZA “Over the past ten years, AZA-accredited institutions have also trained more than 400,000 teachers with award-winning and proven science curricula. Not only are zoos educating visitors, but they are also educating teachers. The teachers now have direct knowledge to better educate their students. Opponents might say that people are not being educated correctly or their not being educated at all. On the contrary, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “AZA member volunteers work collaboratively within AZA committees, animal programs, and scientific advisory groups to provide valuable visitor research data, educational information, resources, planning tools, and activities to enhance conservation education for kids and