Zoos: a Pro/Con Debate

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Zoos: A Pro/Con Debate When our family visited Zoo Atlanta last Christmas, we spent quite a bit of time in front of the gorilla exhibit. I noticed that the exhibit was very elaborate and wide open with toys and jungle gyms. There were several gorillas, including three to five infants and one silverback (adult male leader of the group). Seeing these primates made me wonder, are the gorillas happy? I thought of the advantages that they have. They live in safety, with enough food to eat every day and time to exercise and have healthy lifestyles. Then I thought of the disadvantage. They cannot live like their own kind in the wild. No matter how vast and naturalistic their habitat is, they are still trapped in. Not only gorillas, but every single animal in a zoo have these advantages and this disadvantage. What these creatures think of this deal, we may never know, but we do know what keeping animals in zoos can do for us and for them. Despite the frequent signs in the reptile houses that state, “Please do not knock on the glass”, people often do just that. The mammals and birds constantly have to deal with the ruckus of goggle-eyed children and scolding parents. It seems that the fish are the only ones safe from the overwhelming hyperactivity of the throng of people. The creatures in the zoo have to deal with that sort of commotion every day. Is the privilege to live in a safe place worth the frequent disturbances it comes with? Studies have shown that for most species, being bred and raised in captivity significantly increases the life spans of animals, with the exception of some marine animals, such as orcas. Zoos also help in conservation and rehabilitation of species that are endangered in the wild. When an injured or sick animal is found, it can be nursed to good health in a zoo and released into the wild. An endangered species can be bred in captivity and

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