Is putting animals in zoos cruel?

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   Hawaiian Scribeposted 10 years ago

   Is putting animals in zoos cruel?
   
   There is an ongoing debate about the benefit to society vs how detrimental to animals it is to be kept in zoos. Some say that zoos are the only way modern people can view animals that would otherwise be in the wild. Others say that it is cruel to raise wild animals in a zoo?s limited surroundings (cages, etc.) so that they would never be able to survive if released.

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   sheilamyersposted 10 years ago

   I think it depends on both the zoo and the animals. Some zoos should be closed down because they don't give the animals enough room or treat them properly. Most of the larger zoos are good for both reasons. The focus now is giving those animals enclosures which are more than the bare cages like many years ago. Except for a limited space (but still large enough to get exercise and such) they are much more like the animal's natural habitat.
   
   A lot of the animals in zoos today were born there and don't know anything different. Still others have been someone's exotic pet they could no longer care for or circus animals that were removed because they weren't being treated correctly. That may still not seem right to some people, but I don't have a problem with it unless the animals are being neglected.
   
   Would they be able to survive outside of a zoo? I think many people would be surprised that they could. Even in a habitat that is different from where they are usually found in the wild, most would adapt and survive. And I would ask anyone who thinks zoos aren't good places for animals if they have pets. If they do, they should apply the same logic to their pets as they do to the animals in zoos.

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   enjoy lifeposted 10 years ago

   I think it is important that a zoo properly care for the animals and make sure they have plenty of space. If they are confined too much, then it is cruel.
   
   It depends on  each Zoo, however I think they should be regulated and minimum standards required for each species. If a Zoo fails to proved that they should be shut down.
   
   I also think there are far larger issues regarding animal cruelty in other areas and ways besides Zoo's which need proper attention. For example the Cirus.
   
   People who are not animal lovers should not be allowed to run a Zoo. If they are in it just for the money they make from visitors, then they should not be running it.

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4. 67

   Rod Marsdenposted 10 years ago

   Human population throughout the world is on the increase which means more land for cultivation and less wilderness for wild animals to inhabit. A hundred years ago the argument that putting animals in zoos is cruel would have carried more weight. Today the best zoos are not just about keeping animals in cages. They are also about helping endangered creatures. Also providing genuine education to the public and the chance to experience the animals in ways that cannot be experienced in film or on computer. The better zoos also have sponsorship programs where you can sponsor an animal, bird or reptile.
   
   There's a reptile park in NSW, Australia where deadly snakes and spiders are milked for their venom. From these milkings  antidotes for bites are arrived at and they do save lives.
   
   There are two top zoos in Berlin, a couple of top notch zoos in NSW including Taronga and one near Dubbo. There are also terrific zoos in the USA, Britain, and New Zealand.
   
   In many world class zoos animals meant to roam are not longer confined to small cages. Also zoo staff tend to do their best to make sure the animals don't get bored. Gone are the days of lots of concrete and no grass.
   
   Some animals are actually trained for release back into the wild. Other animals it would be impossible to release into the wild because, for various reasons they would not survive. Not all the various reasons have anything to do with being born in captivity. Sometimes animals are brought in hurt and are cared for at the zoo with the knowledge they will never be well enough to fend for themselves in the wild but could have a reasonably good life in a zoo environment.

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5. 53

   PerrySparkposted 10 years ago

   While pondering your question, I began to think about the environment where I currently work.  Each worker is provided a cubicle where they are required to work for 8 hours or more each day.  Except for the occasional lunch outside the environment, each worker stares at 4 walls and a closed door during the work period.
   So - I guess my answer to your question is - "no it is not cruel to put animals in zoos".
   If humans can endure the very same thing, then why should animals be any different?

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      enjoy lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The big difference is that humans get paid to do it, and they are in that job by choice, they could get another job.Also they can choose how to reward themselves with how they use their pay. Animals are not there by choice, so it is not the same

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      PerrySparkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The human species is no different from the animals in that many feel caged in the job that they may have found.  Additionally, many humans do not feel the freedom that you may perceive.  Animals may tell us they are there by choice if they could talk

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      enjoy lifeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I understand that some humans feel stuck in their job. I also realise the reality that humans have made this planet what it is, and animals get the short straw. Why should we feel quite happy that they suffer just because we do just?

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   4. 53

      PerrySparkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      while some presume that happiness is found in suffering, others know that this is not the case
      Natures rules provide an order of superiority. The strong are elevated to a position over the weak
      the outcome is that some remain weak through duplicity

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   Kristyn05posted 10 years ago

   I have to say that I don't think it is fair to put animals into small confinements where people gawk at them day in and day out. I like the idea of reserves for animals to live a close to normal life with out the presence of people like in a zoo. Zoos just don't seem to have the resources or space to give the animals a true high quality of life.

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      PerrySparkposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I do hope that you do not have any pets at home. If you do, then you should turn them out immediately so they can have the space for a true high quality life.

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      Kristyn05posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      PerrySpark: So glad you felt in a position to judge. I have pets, rescue pets only and they are in a truly higher quality of life then before. They were sick and I paid money to bring them back to full health.

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