I rather visit a place where the animals are being helped and not tooken away from their mother for no reason.

i don’t like zoos to me there sad to go to. to see all the animals feel lost in small places and children going tapping on the glass of the reptiles and making them feel nerves and worry. i really hate them if i want to see animals and learn about them there a thing call nature channel and there a thing call books.

@Josi:
Cool! Your zoos sound great, except the ” use them to help learn about them “. Personally, I don’t think zoos are educational. All they teach is a disrespect for life, an exploitation of animals, and that it’s ok to treat animals as things to be gaped at and used for money. And how can you learn about how an animal behaves in the wild by studying it in a cage?

Zoos in the UK are a hell of a lot different to american ones by the sound of it. Over here we use them to help learn about them to then go onto protect them in their natural habitat, also we don’t just take them from their natural habitat. As well as us having strict rules about spacing, environment, feeding, health care etc etc

Zoos stink. Animals are trapped there, and are removed from their natural habitats. Don’t support it by not going to it!

As a kid, before I understood the cruelty of zoos, (we went to a decent one, so it took a while) I loved seeing animals that I had never seen before. I still believe that (some) captive breeding programs are important, but I no longer agree with zoos, but, in this technological age, there are many 24 hour cams in sanctuaries, and online tracking in the wild. Maybe it’s not the same for small children, but it makes a whole lot of difference to the animals too.

i think zoo should be close because its taking freedom away from animals

I haven’t been to the zoos you all seem to talk about, but I believe my local zoo does a wonderful job.

And risk extinction because of the approaching human civilizations? There are already laws in place for the humane treatment of animals and any zoos abusing the animals, or failing to provide for them what they need not just to survive, but to thrive is against the law. If animals are breeding in captivity, that shows that they are content with their lives and that the animals believe there are resources for their future generations to thrive.
Some species of animals as well no longer exist in the wild. They only exist from captive bred animals in zoos. (or even pet shops!) Such an example is the axolotl. It no longer exist in the wilds of Mexico. Its last chance of survival are zoos and herpetology enthusiast who passionately keep and breed these enigmatic neonatal salamanders. Zoos are for conservation. They contribute to conservation of endangered, threatened, and species extinct in the wild. There have even been many cases of animals taken from breeding programs that were released back into the wild and help save their species from extinction.
Zoos also give people a first hand experience to learn of the unique organisms of the world; the majestic beast that we share our planet with, and help educate the public on animals. They go beyond a simple picture on the internet with a brief description and have fueled people with a burning passion, or at least an interest, to influence conservation efforts to keep the species of our Earth lasting longer.

I don’t agree with zoos. Unfortunately, there are now a ton of animals born in captivity that could not survive on their own. It’s good that zoos no longer catch as many animals from the wild, but I don’t think the animals should continue breeding, just so they can live in captivity all their lives /: If I had my way, zoos would be shut down and all animals that couldn’t survive on their own (releasing the ones that could, of course) would be put in sanctuaries to live out the rest of their lives. I’m not sure about the breeding issue…

I oppose zoos very much and do not want to support them at all. I support sanctuaries and preserves.

I cant stand zoos. Like, come on. Forcing animals to live in small, boring cramped spaces, AND abusing them? Thats just terrible.

Ok the quote system doesn’t work. O_o’

Like I said ^^^^

I just don’t get this statement

Comparatively a safari park/sanctuary would be more animal friendly than a zoo?
Safari parks generally (and my local one) use their admission prices and donations not only for the care of the animals in question and their large habitats on site, but for the breeding programmes, conservation programmes, education programmes, reintroduction programmes, sister game reserves, and animal charities of their choice.
How is that WORSE than a zoo where animals are kept in cages which are often far too small for the animals, with no stimulation, where they have to sit in their own filth and are unable to socialise? Zoo’s also are constantly trading animals back and forth with other zoo’s lending out their animals for displays, zoo’s are more in the entertainment business, but that’s BETTER? Really?

Sorry, but can’t get my head around that one. I know it’s all down to personal choice and opinion, and again as I have already said and reiterated I don’t agree with either.
However I would definitely pick a safari park over a zoo any day. And at least Safari programmes do SOME good.

I know I sound like I’m ranting, I just really can’t stand zoo’s, from my experience from going to zoo’s when I was younger it’s just so upsetting seeing these clearly depressed animals pacing alone in their small cages so much so that the grass won’t grow where they’ve paced so much. And those are the lucky animals that had an enclosure WITH grass. Other animals I’ve seen such as chimpanzees, elephants and tigers have been kept in enclosures far too small with only concrete and no grass, and their enclosures have stunk to high heaven.
I’ve never seen an unhappy animal at a Safari Park however, they have tree’s, grass, lakes, large areas to explore and are kept with their own kind, the lions I’ve seen have their own prides and sunbathe together, the elephants have been in groups with a huge space and things to stimulate them, etc. Not to mention if the animals don’t want to be bothered their habitats are large enough for them to get well away from the track so visitors and the animals can’t see each other as well as the fact they have hiding places. Unlike zoo’s where whether they like it or not they are face to face with people banging on glass.

All animals SHOULD be free, and zoo’s should indeed be closed. But on the debate of fairness and treatment of animals Safari Parks are the more ethical.

Question however, if all animals should be free and animals are not ours for entertainment then why is it ok for us to keep dogs and cats? Are there any members who are opposed to keeping pets?