Asked by bigxthadavid
A Case Against Zoos
Most people think of a visit to the zoo as a harmless, fun way to spend the day. Observing amazing animals in their natural habitat is a fantastic learning experience. But are zoos a fantastic place for the animals that live there? Take a closer look at the realities of zoo life and you may think twice about your next visit.
Zoos and Animal Health
The idea of keeping any living creature behind barriers is difficult for some people to accept. It’s true that zoo animals receive medical care. But zoo supporters claim that animals in captivity are even healthier than those in the wild. Let’s consider a few problems with this argument. First, animals like polar bears live in naturally cold climates. However, there are polar bear exhibits in warm and even tropical areas worldwide. It is very stressful for animals to adapt to different temperatures and this affects their health. Next, no matter how hard they try, zoos cannot provide the living space that animals need. Studies show that small enclosures prevent animals from getting enough exercise and carrying out normal routines. Lack of space even lowers infant survival rates. Zoo diets may not contain the nutrients animals get in the wild, causing disease and weight problems. Finally, the life span of some species, such as elephants, is shorter in zoos.
Zoos and Animal Behavior
What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure, fed food you didn’t like, and surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds? Zoo life affects the mental health of animals, and it shows in their behaviors. Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed. With nothing to do, they become bored and disinterested in life. Meat eaters, like the lion, can no longer hunt for their food. Elephants are used to walking for miles each day. In zoos, they are confined to small pens and can only walk in circles for exercise. Zoo life harms animals’ mental and physical health when they cannot behave naturally. And, if the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild, how will they survive with the abnormal behaviors they have developed?
Zoos as a Business
Zoo proponents state that zoos are educational. Supporters state that visitors to the zoo leave with new knowledge about animals and an interest in conservation. Unfortunately, studies show that most people at the zoo are doing anything but learning. Zoos try to draw people in with fun events not related to animals. These include fitness runs, light shows, and fundraisers. They have restaurants, gift shops, and even rides. People spend more time talking about other topics or taking pictures of the “cute” animals. They rarely read or listen to the educational information available at the zoo. They spend only a few minutes or pass right by most exhibits. Finally, it is important to know that many zoos exist to make a profit. This means that they may use much of their money to attract visitors rather than to educate those visitors or to care for the animals.
Zoos Cost Money
One can easily imagine how expensive it is to run a zoo. Sadly, lack of money can create problems for zoos and their animals. In the worst cases, zoos must close. When this happens, the animals must be transferred or even sold to other zoos or rescue operations. There is little time to help animals adjust to their new environments. More alarming, animals may not be sent to places that are best for them. Zoos experiencing financial problems must cut back on employees, medical care, quality food, and maintenance. All of this negatively impacts the animals.
It seems clear that zoos exist more for human’s amusement than for the good of animals. Zoo animals are less healthy, more stressed, and zoos rarely make a real difference in animal conservation. But don’t let this information about zoos stop you from learning more about animals. There are places like animal sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and bird observatories that truly help animals. In addition, you can learn a great deal about animals by exploring their natural habitats and doing your own research.
Question 1
Part A
What is the author’s point in Paragraph 3, “Zoos and Animal Behavior”?
Responses
People would not enjoy being treated the way that zoo animals are treated.
People would not enjoy being treated the way that zoo animals are treated.
Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
Animals that walk for miles each day in the wild should not be kept in small pens.
Animals that walk for miles each day in the wild should not be kept in small pens.
The main goal of zoos should be to release animals back into the wild.
The main goal of zoos should be to release animals back into the wild.
Question 2
Part B
Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?
Responses
“Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
“Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
“...the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild...”
“...the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild...”
“Elephants are used to walking for miles each day.”
“Elephants are used to walking for miles each day.”
“What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure...surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds?”
“What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure...surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds?”
Most people think of a visit to the zoo as a harmless, fun way to spend the day. Observing amazing animals in their natural habitat is a fantastic learning experience. But are zoos a fantastic place for the animals that live there? Take a closer look at the realities of zoo life and you may think twice about your next visit.
Zoos and Animal Health
The idea of keeping any living creature behind barriers is difficult for some people to accept. It’s true that zoo animals receive medical care. But zoo supporters claim that animals in captivity are even healthier than those in the wild. Let’s consider a few problems with this argument. First, animals like polar bears live in naturally cold climates. However, there are polar bear exhibits in warm and even tropical areas worldwide. It is very stressful for animals to adapt to different temperatures and this affects their health. Next, no matter how hard they try, zoos cannot provide the living space that animals need. Studies show that small enclosures prevent animals from getting enough exercise and carrying out normal routines. Lack of space even lowers infant survival rates. Zoo diets may not contain the nutrients animals get in the wild, causing disease and weight problems. Finally, the life span of some species, such as elephants, is shorter in zoos.
Zoos and Animal Behavior
What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure, fed food you didn’t like, and surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds? Zoo life affects the mental health of animals, and it shows in their behaviors. Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed. With nothing to do, they become bored and disinterested in life. Meat eaters, like the lion, can no longer hunt for their food. Elephants are used to walking for miles each day. In zoos, they are confined to small pens and can only walk in circles for exercise. Zoo life harms animals’ mental and physical health when they cannot behave naturally. And, if the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild, how will they survive with the abnormal behaviors they have developed?
Zoos as a Business
Zoo proponents state that zoos are educational. Supporters state that visitors to the zoo leave with new knowledge about animals and an interest in conservation. Unfortunately, studies show that most people at the zoo are doing anything but learning. Zoos try to draw people in with fun events not related to animals. These include fitness runs, light shows, and fundraisers. They have restaurants, gift shops, and even rides. People spend more time talking about other topics or taking pictures of the “cute” animals. They rarely read or listen to the educational information available at the zoo. They spend only a few minutes or pass right by most exhibits. Finally, it is important to know that many zoos exist to make a profit. This means that they may use much of their money to attract visitors rather than to educate those visitors or to care for the animals.
Zoos Cost Money
One can easily imagine how expensive it is to run a zoo. Sadly, lack of money can create problems for zoos and their animals. In the worst cases, zoos must close. When this happens, the animals must be transferred or even sold to other zoos or rescue operations. There is little time to help animals adjust to their new environments. More alarming, animals may not be sent to places that are best for them. Zoos experiencing financial problems must cut back on employees, medical care, quality food, and maintenance. All of this negatively impacts the animals.
It seems clear that zoos exist more for human’s amusement than for the good of animals. Zoo animals are less healthy, more stressed, and zoos rarely make a real difference in animal conservation. But don’t let this information about zoos stop you from learning more about animals. There are places like animal sanctuaries, wildlife rehabilitation centers, and bird observatories that truly help animals. In addition, you can learn a great deal about animals by exploring their natural habitats and doing your own research.
Question 1
Part A
What is the author’s point in Paragraph 3, “Zoos and Animal Behavior”?
Responses
People would not enjoy being treated the way that zoo animals are treated.
People would not enjoy being treated the way that zoo animals are treated.
Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
Animals that walk for miles each day in the wild should not be kept in small pens.
Animals that walk for miles each day in the wild should not be kept in small pens.
The main goal of zoos should be to release animals back into the wild.
The main goal of zoos should be to release animals back into the wild.
Question 2
Part B
Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?
Responses
“Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
“Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
“...the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild...”
“...the goal of zoos is to release species back into the wild...”
“Elephants are used to walking for miles each day.”
“Elephants are used to walking for miles each day.”
“What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure...surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds?”
“What if you had to spend every day trapped in a small enclosure...surrounded by unfamiliar people and sounds?”
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
### Question 1
**Part A**
What is the author’s point in Paragraph 3, “Zoos and Animal Behavior”?
**Correct Response:** Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
### Question 2
**Part B**
Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?
**Correct Response:** “Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
**Part A**
What is the author’s point in Paragraph 3, “Zoos and Animal Behavior”?
**Correct Response:** Zoo animals cannot behave like they would in the wild, which affects their mental and physical health.
### Question 2
**Part B**
Which evidence from the text best supports the answer in Part A?
**Correct Response:** “Animals may pace, act aggressively, or become depressed.”
There are no human answers yet. A form for humans to post answers is coming very soon!