a group of kids watch grizzly bears behind a window at a zoo

Kids visit the grizzly bears at the San Francisco Zoo in 2022.

Brontë Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP Images

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Do We Need Zoos?

November 18, 2024
By the Editors of Scholastic News

As You Read: Have you ever visited a zoo? How did seeing the animals make you feel?

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the San Francisco Zoo in California. The zoo is home to about 2,000 animals. They include everything from mighty mountain lions to tiny ants.

Last month, a report about the 95-year-old zoo was released. It was done by the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission. The report said parts of the zoo are run down and old. It also showed that some of the zoo’s enclosures are unsafe for animals and visitors. According to the report, many enclosures did not offer enough room for animals to roam. But officials at the San Francisco Zoo say they provide safe homes for their animals. 

Other zoos across the U.S. have built big enclosures that look like animals’ natural habitats. Still, many people say it is not right to keep wild animals locked up. 

Each year, many thousands of people visit the San Francisco Zoo in California. There are about 2,000 animals there. They include everything from mountain lions to ants.

Last month, a report about the zoo was released. It was done by the San Francisco Animal Control and Welfare Commission. The report said parts of the zoo are run-down. It said that some of the zoo’s enclosures are unsafe for animals and visitors. According to the report, many enclosures did not offer the animals enough room. They could not roam. But San Francisco Zoo officials say they provide safe homes for the animals. 

Other zoos have built big enclosures that look like animals’ natural habitats. Still, many people say it is wrong to keep wild animals locked up. 

Should animals be kept in zoos?

The Wild History of Zoos
Watch a video to learn more about how zoos have changed over the years.

Yes

Islam Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Visitors at the Bronx Zoo in New York City come face-to-face with a giraffe.

Zoos in the U.S. get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are 11 years old or younger. For most people, going to a zoo is their only chance to see wild animals up close.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see elephants or orangutans or wolves in the wild,” says Craig Hoover. He works for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The group makes sure that zoos meet high standards of animal care. 

The best zoos educate visitors about the dangers animals face in the wild. These include habitat loss and illegal hunting. Some animals might no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Programs at zoos have helped save the black-footed ferret, the California condor, and other species. 

Also, zoos use some of the money they get from visitors to protect animals in the wild. Zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation in 2022, according to the AZA.

U.S. zoos get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are children. A zoo is the only place where most people will see wild animals up close.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see elephants or orangutans or wolves in the wild,” says Craig Hoover. He works for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The group makes sure that zoos meet high standards of animal care. 

The best zoos educate people. Visitors learn about the dangers animals face in the wild. These include habitat loss and illegal hunting. Some animals might no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Zoos have helped save species like the black-footed ferret and the California condor. 

Also, zoos use some of the money they make to protect animals in the wild. The AZA says zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation in 2022.

About 94 out of 100 zoo visitors say zoos teach kids about how we can protect animals and their habitats.

Source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums

No

Tatiana Litvinova/Shutterstock.com

Some people argue that even the best zoos are meant to entertain people, not help animals.

“Only a tiny fraction of their work focuses on conservation,” says Liz Cabrera Holtz. She works for an organization called World Animal Protection. “Above all, they’re simply places for people to view animals.”

Even big zoo enclosures don’t have the same amount of space as an animal’s natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim hundreds of miles in a year. But in zoos, they often live in an area about the size of a school gym.

Plus, many animals need company or they will be lonely. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in big family groups. But in some zoos, they’re kept in pairs or alone.  

Life in captivity can be difficult for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being bored and stressed.

Some people argue that zoos are meant to entertain people, not help animals.

“Only a tiny fraction of their work focuses on conservation,” says Liz Cabrera Holtz. She works for a group called World Animal Protection. “Above all, they’re simply places for people to view animals.”

Enclosures don’t have as much space as an animal’s natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim hundreds of miles in a year. In zoos, they often live in a smaller area. It might be about the size of a school gym.

Plus, many animals need company. Otherwise, they will be lonely. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in big family groups. But in some zoos, they’re kept in pairs or alone. 

Life in captivity can be hard for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being bored and stressed.

In response to pressure from the public, about 30 zoos in the U.S. have closed their elephant exhibits since 1991.

Source: In Defense of Animals

Source: In Defense of Animals

The History of Zoos

For decades, zoos often kept animals in cages that were too small for them. Over the years, many zoos have made big changes. 

For decades, zoos often kept animals in cages that were too small for them. Over the years, many zoos have made big changes. 

Hirarchivum Press/Alamy Stock Photo

 

The first modern zoo opened in Paris, France, in 1793. Many different animals were crammed into the same cages.

The first modern zoo opened in Paris, France, in 1793. Many different animals were crammed into the same cages.

Harold Barkley/Toronto Star via Getty Images

 

For decades, some zoos kept animals in small, concrete enclosures.

For decades, some zoos kept animals in small, concrete enclosures.

Marcus E Jones/Shutterstock.com

 

Today many zoos have big enclosures where animals can roam freely.

Today many zoos have big enclosures where animals can roam freely.

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  1. Why does the author mention the San Francisco Zoo at the beginning of the article?
  2. According to the “yes” side of the debate, why might some animals no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos?
  3. Summarize the main arguments made by people who are opposed to zoos.
  1. Why does the author mention the San Francisco Zoo at the beginning of the article?
  2. According to the “yes” side of the debate, why might some animals no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos?
  3. Summarize the main arguments made by people who are opposed to zoos.
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