It is very easy to mistake the difference between a zoo and a sanctuary. The major difference between the two however, is that a sanctuary is a safe place designed special for animals that are in need of special assistance, and that will more than likely be released back into the wild when ready. Zoos on the other hand, pay for the animals that they use and do not treat the animals with the proper care of living tools. According to last chance for Animals, an australian organization, many of the animals that zoos are taking in are not harmed, endangered, or in any harm at all. Usually zoos are more likely to take in baby animals, which is also the key difference between zoos and sanctuaries, sanctuaries will only take in animals that are in danger or need of help (1 …show more content…
America has a big part also in the neglect that animals in zoos worldwide are being treated with. In the article “Ten Worst Zoos in America” it tells of extreme cases nationwide of how neglect and cruelty paired together in getting the list together. For example, one of the very last zoos on the list tells of two elephants, one of which the zoo refuses to send to a sanctuary for better care, are a great danger to each other. The gravely ill elephant, Elle bit six inches off of the other elephants tail as a call for help and a sign of insanity caused by the small spaces in the zoo. The reason that this goes unnoticed for so long is because the AZA’s guidelines can go for very long before being checked and when it is checked very little is done to make sure the zoo is running correctly with no misbehavior. “Had Ruth and Emily’s well-being truly been the priority for the zoo directors and city council, this absurd amount of money could have covered Ruth & Emily’s transport to a sanctuary, as well as ensured their successful integration with other elephants” (10 Worst Zoos for Elephants 2016). The previous quote goes on to prove how zoos incredible act of laziness has affected two more animals that could have been properly taken care of if just a little more effort was given to protect