Zoos Are Helpful For Animals and their Health

Zoos are created to be “institutions for exhibiting and studying wild animals.”


Source (http://www.czs.org/Brookfield-ZOO/Zoo-Animals/Big-Cats)

According to  Gale Science in Context from the article "Zoo" published in  Environmental Encyclopedia, a lot of thought goes into designing a zoological garden and they are very important because Zoo's are created for and studying wild animals, but t Read the Q & A below to learn more.

Q: How are zoos designed?

A: Zoological gardens and parks are complex institutions to design. Many factors are influenced when designing these such as, design, staffing, economics, and politics. The design of parks are influenced by the needs of the animals such as, “light, temperature, humidity, cover, feeding areas, opportunities for natural behavior, the requirements of the staff  such as, offices, libraries, research and veterinary laboratories, garages, storage sheds, and amenities for visitors, for example, information, exhibitions, restaurants, rest areas, theaters, and transportation. All of these needs are crucial for designing a zoo and if they are not met, the zoo will not be a success.

Q: How large do zoos have to be?

A: Zoos size can vary from as little as 2 acres to as much as 3,000 acres. Also, animal living spaces may range from small cages to fenced-in fields. The proper size for each living space varies the type of animal, the number of them living in that one space, and the type of landscaping the specific animal needs. In small zoos, less space is available and therefore, most living spaces are small or just simply caged in areas, but in larger zoos, more space is available. Enclosures tend to be bigger, and the landscaping is generally more elaborate. Zoos vary in size but are always designed to be most helpful for the animal’s, and their quality of their living spaces are always the zoos first priory.

Q: Why should zoos be kept around, what is their importance?

A: They should stay around because they are a way to educate society about our worlds wild life animals. They are also important because they help zoologists research and learn more about rare animals, as well as, breed endangered species to attempt to keep the species alive. Therefore, zoos are actually important and are not as harmful to the animals as many think.

Discussion Question: 
Although Zoo's have argued that they are important for the education of animals to the younger generation and to society, do you believe that is a valid argument or are they just trying to cover the fact that zoo's have been proven to be very harmful to animals and their health? 

Future Research:
Do certain animals thrive in captivity, or do all animals suffer from living in zoos?