Mrs. Larkins
Language Arts
5/28/2013
ARE ZOOS CRUEL OR EDUCATIONAL
Zoos are cruel because of recent incidents that have happened creating the deaths and injuries of some animals. In the 2005 DreamWorks move, Madagascar, a group of zoo animals wanted to leave the zoo for a day to explore New York little did they know there one day escape turned into an adventure greater than they could have every imagine. While exploring New York they were accidentally shipped to the island of Madagascar. Though they were among other animals that look like them, the four friends found themselves totally out sync with the real world. Living in the zoo sheltered them from their ability to live in their natural habitat. Although zoos are educational, animals are held in captivity unable to live and thrive in their natural habitat.
Zoo keepers, scientist and animal groups continue to debate the issue with zoos being either place of education and entertainment or unnecessary prisons. While some people argue that zoos play an important role in conservation and research, others counter that they do more harm than good. Zoos have been entertaining people with exotic animal collections since 1250 BC with Egyptian records describing different species of animals in captivity behind bars (Nationalgeographic.com). The Imperial Menagerie in Vienna, Austria was the first modern zoo established in 1752. There are thousands of zoos around the world today.
Overtime, zoos have improved the environment for zoo animals from steel bar enclosures and cold cement cages to illusions mimicking the animals’ natural habitat with moats and ditches that separate the animals from people who visit the zoo. Zoos are going beyond keeping animals alive in captivity. They have become more involved in conserving wild animals, reintroducing endangered species, and restoring habitats (Nationalgeographic.com). So why do scientist and animal groups believe that zoos are far from entertaining
Bibliography: Chua-Eoan, Howard. "The Killer-Whale Attack at SeaWorld: How It Happened." Time.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2010. Daily News. Christine Roberts, 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 27 May 2013. <http://www.nydailynews.com>. Fact Sheet on Zoos. Naturewatch, n.d. Web. 8 Sept. 2008. <http://www.naturewatch.org/resources/FactSheets/FS_Zoos.pdf>. "www.nationalgeographic.com." National Geographic News. Laura Fravel, 13 Nov. 2003. Web. 27 May 2013.