Is it unethical to keep animals in zoos?

[BrianNole777]

I went to the zoo last week and saw some pandas, elephants and other animals enclosed and wondered if it was bad to keep animals in zoos.

I also saw an owl enclosed in a cage half the size of a closet. It couldn't fly.

Are zoos unethical? What do you think?

Experts Agree: Zoos Do More Harm Than Good

Zoos do more harm than good. They hurt animals, destroy ecosystems, and send the wrong message. Boycott zoos and instead donate to animal sanctuaries or to programs that directly help animals in the wild.

www.idausa.org

 

[The Tradition]

No.

 

[Mayland]

Also no.

 

[Fan In Black]

I never thought so but that Twilight Zone episode where humans were the zoo animals really made me think.

 

[The Tradition]

Sea World is especially unfairly targeted by wackos like the org in OP's link.

When in fact, Sea World is on the cutting edge of environmental responsibility, and rehabilitates many sea creatures before releasing them back into the wild... whereupon they're promptly eaten by sharks.

 

[StormHawk42]

No assuming you’re talking about legit zoos and not roadside Tiger King zoos. They do more for conservation than just about any animal rights group.

 

[BrianNole777]

No assuming you’re talking about legit zoos and not roadside Tiger King zoos. They do more for conservation than just about any animal rights group.

I saw some tigers and lions that couldn't run or roam.

It looked not so fun for them in the zoo.

 

[StormHawk42]

I saw some tigers and lions that couldn't run or roam.

It looked not so fun for them in the zoo.

I’m all about animal rights so I don’t act like their life is necessarily great. But also many species would have been wiped out by poachers without legitimate zoos and safari compounds in Africa.

 

[gohawks50]

I always feel bad for animals in the zoo, but in reality zoos save endangered species and promote conservation.

 

[jonesy5960]

I think the answer is probably no. I think that proper zoos have a place in terms of education, rehabilitation, and conservation. Where habitat loss is a significant issue, often captivity becomes the only viable alternative to extinction. The animals are well fed and receive medical care that would not be available in the wild which is why the average lifespan of a captive animal is usually significantly longer than those in the wild.

 

[BrianNole777]

I’m all about animal rights so I don’t act like their life is necessarily great. But also many species would have been wiped out by poachers without legitimate zoos and safari compounds in Africa.

Plus in the wild, the animals don't get free food, medical care and safety from predators.

 

[BrianNole777]

@Joes Place

 

[WSC72]

I never thought so but that Twilight Zone episode where humans were the zoo animals really made me think.

 

[The Tradition]

@Joes Place

Oh, yeah... can't wait for that jackass' opinion on this topic.

 

[DooBi]

I didn't think so but when the article said that animals don't get to pick their friends, well that's just going to far.

 

[RayRay3454]

I saw some tigers and lions that couldn't run or roam.

It looked not so fun for them in the zoo.

Depends on the zoo - don't think you went to a good one.

 

[millah_22]

I went to the zoo last week and saw some pandas, elephants and other animals enclosed and wondered if it was bad to keep animals in zoos.

I also saw an owl enclosed in a cage half the size of a closet. It couldn't fly.

Are zoos unethical? What do you think?

Experts Agree: Zoos Do More Harm Than Good

Zoos do more harm than good. They hurt animals, destroy ecosystems, and send the wrong message. Boycott zoos and instead donate to animal sanctuaries or to programs that directly help animals in the wild.

www.idausa.org

You should listen to The Good Whale podcast by Serial Productions.

It is about the story of Keiko the whale. The one that played Free Willy in the major motion picture.

The one that was not doing well in captivity, but also faced the hard truth.... it likely would not do well if put into the wild.

It was rehabbed and released anyway.

 

[millah_22]

Depends on the zoo - don't think you went to a good one.

The Smithsonian DC Zoo is actually pretty good.

 

[Mayland]

I don’t really see a zoo being that different than having a pet in your home.

 

[The Tradition]

I don’t really see a zoo being that different than having a pet in your home.

If you love it, set it free.

If it comes back, it's yours forever.

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Depends on the zoo. Some are better than others. Also, another factor is if we can breed dying species

 

[millah_22]

Depends on the zoo. Some are better than others. Also, another factor is if we can breed dying species

OPs mom has been breeding like she's a dying species.

 

[ZachJump]

I went to the zoo last week and saw some pandas, elephants and other animals enclosed and wondered if it was bad to keep animals in zoos.

I also saw an owl enclosed in a cage half the size of a closet. It couldn't fly.

Are zoos unethical? What do you think?

Experts Agree: Zoos Do More Harm Than Good

Zoos do more harm than good. They hurt animals, destroy ecosystems, and send the wrong message. Boycott zoos and instead donate to animal sanctuaries or to programs that directly help animals in the wild.

www.idausa.org

If that’s unethical.,..just think of all pet owners in this county we need to throw paint on for their animal cruelty.

 

[LunchBox50]

No assuming you’re talking about legit zoos and not roadside Tiger King zoos. They do more for conservation than just about any animal rights group.

This.

 

[TJ8869]

“A little bit, yeah.”

— Harambe

 

[LuciousBDragon]

 

[Colonoscopy]

Yeah pretty much. I think zoos are depressing. Animals don't seem happy. Don't seem mentally healthy.

If you're going to do it, give them proper space.

 

[Colonoscopy]

View embedded media

Good ass tune

 

[millah_22]

Yeah pretty much. I think zoos are depressing. Animals don't seem happy. Don't seem mentally healthy.

If you're going to do it, give them proper space.

But also we can't actually assume that because we don't know what they're thinking.

 

[jneffer]

depends on the zoo

but also depends on the animal

yes...i think its unethical to capture an animal in the wild and put it in captivity for people to look at

if an animal is born in captivity, it likely can never be successfully released, so personally i'm good with that (and i think that's the VAST majority of zoo animals these days)

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

Saw a video on X of a cheetah that was trying to get a drink of water from a river when a huge croc grabbed it by the head and dragged it into the deep as it was fighting to free itself only to disappear under the water. It’s family watched from the river bank bewildered their family member was gone.

It was disturbing and sad at the same time but that is the circle of life. The zoo’s provide a sanctuary for animals that can’t take care of themselves and we get to see these beautiful creatures up close. There is a trade off.