Why Are Zoos Bad

Have you ever been to a zoo? Most people probably have. Some think that zoos are great while others think that they are awful. Personally, I feel that zoos are mostly good but can be bad. Zoos are good because they can educate and entertain people and also help with conservation efforts. However, zoos can be bad because of the treatment of the animals. Zoos are amazing places full of education and entertainment. They allow people to see exotic animals that they would never have been able to see normally. Zoos provide opportunities to learn about these animals, their natures, and their needs. They can also teach people about the importance of conservation. Zoos are also great for entertainment. Families can go to a zoo and spend the day having fun looking at the animals while learning at the same time. Children can also go on field trips to the zoo, making for a fun school day. In addition, zoos can help with wildlife conservation. If there are species who have a small or decreasing population, zoos can help to restore it. Zoos can take in some of the species and breed them in captivity. When the animals are ready, they can be released back into …show more content…
Standards stated in documents like the Animal Welfare Act aren't always enforced, which can lead to the mistreatment of animals. For example, animals in zoos can be fed food that is not good for them or not enough food. The living conditions of the animals, while better than it has been in the past, is still not very good. Animals often do not have enough living space. Because of this, the animals cannot walk or run as far as they would in the wild. For example, elephants can walk around 30 miles a day in the wild, but are forced to live in small habitats in zoos. Some animals might not get enough exercise, cannot hunt, or are bored in zoos. In addition, animals may not have as many companions as they would have in the wild, making them lonely and possibly