Essay on Zoos: Extinction and Zoos

Submitted By lupe12795
Words: 1835
Pages: 8
Open Document
Zoos Save Animals Think back to the last time you visited a zoo. Were you excited to see the animals? It was probably exciting to see exotic animals and learn more about them and their habitat. Now imagine these animals being hunted in the wild and struggling to survive. Not a good image appears in your mind now, does it? The origins of zoos date back to 3000 b.c.e. when Mesopotamian rulers kept wild animal collections in royal parks. These animals included elephants, lions, apes, deer, and wild bulls which were a symbol of high status. The first zoo opened in the United States was in Philadelphia in 1874 with an emphasis on education and research (Kisling). By accomplishing valuable goals such as saving endangered species, providing safe living conditions, and conducting valuable research, zoos provide an invaluable service to the well-being of animals.
The main reason to keep animals in zoos is to preserve the lives of endangered species. There are many endangered species who are trying to survive in the wild. The living conditions in the wild can be devastating for some animals. In a study conducted from 550 zoos worldwide of mammals living in the zoos compared to animals living in the wild, it was found that animals in the zoo held a better chance at living. According to the study done by Animal Conservation, “Results indicate that mammal and bird species in zoos are, on average, not only larger than their close relatives not held in zoos, but also possess larger spatial ranges, are less likely to be endemic and are distributed in lower-risk geographical regions. Importantly, they also tend to be less, rather than more, threatened with extinction” (Martin). Animals in the wild are also victims of poachers who hunt the animals for their skin or body parts. This is very common in Asia where elephants are hunted for their tusks, which are used to make religious objects. According to the National Geographic, at least 25,000 elephants die each year. The loss of habitat is the main threat for elephants in the world, but poaching may be the second leading cause of extinction. In January 2012, more than 300 elephants were killed in Cameroon’s Bouba Ndjidah National Park. An army of men on horseback raided the park and ended the lives of the elephants with the goal of keeping their ivory tusks. Ivory is used to make many crafts that are sold for high prices in parts of Asia and Africa (National). These elephants should be placed in zoos so that they won’t have to suffer being brutally killed in the wild.
Elephants are not the only animals who are victims of poachers. Tigers in parts of Asia and Africa are also illegally hunted for their fur. It is estimated that 50% of the world’s tigers live in India. It was legal to hunt tigers in that country until 1970. Reserves are made to protect the tigers, but poachers still end up killing them. The tiger population continues to decline. People continue to live in their habitat range. Some citizens are victims of tiger attacks that occur in villages. (King James Bible)
Lions have also become victims of humans in Africa. When lions and humans collide, both end up suffering. A human being is attacked by the lion or vice versa. There are many reasons for the decline in numbers of lions. These reasons include, but are not limited to, “habitat loss, displacement of lion prey by livestock, disease, ritual killings of lions, spearing or poisoning of lions in retaliation for livestock losses and attacks on humans. (national geographic sugar)” 68 Placing lions in a zoo would rescue lions from being hunted as well as protect people from lion attacks.
The animals who are in the biggest danger of becoming extinct are the amphibians, according to the National Geographic (125th anniversary). Elizabeth Kolbert states, “Zoos may have to rethink their mission. Why devote resources to species that are doing just fine?” Many experts believe that zoos should focus on the animals that are
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on Zoos: Extinction and Zoos

Are Zoos Good For Animals Research Paper

Are zoos good for animals? Do they make life better for them? Why do we still have them? Zoos have existed for centuries. Zoos used to be a simple collection of animals trapped in cages, which led to animals being treated poorly and disease. As we advance in time, Animals have been treated much better than before. Today zoos often credit themselves as centers for scientific study and research. While zoos are getting better for animals and humans alike, there are people that still think that zoos are…

Words 421 - Pages 2

Persuasive Essay On Zoos

Ms. Wolfe English 2 Pd 5 20 November 2014 Zoos Every child goes to the zoo sometime in his or her childhood. Zoos cater to children; they provide an opportunity for children to see animals that they would not see otherwise. However not all animals are treated humanely. Zoos are controversial because they protect endangered species but the animals best interests are not being considered. Birth and breeding methods are a very important aspect of zoos. Zoos can not save the hundreds of thousands of…

Words 893 - Pages 4

Persuasive Essay Zoos

wild there are animals going into extinction. However, many zoos have captured these animals and put them in reproduction programs to lead them out of extinction. When I was little every time I went to the zoo I got so excited about seeing all the animal species. And now I realize there if there were no zoos I would never have been able to see all the different types of animals. In my opinion animals can live a healthy, emotional, and physical life in a zoo. The zoo provides protection for animals…

Words 453 - Pages 2

Animal Captivity In Australia

the world have zoos, it is known as for our development in education and entertainment. A zoo in Australia, has started a plan which helps animals to prevent them from being extinct, (“Our fighting Extinction Story”, No date p7) this is important for our and the animal’s future, because we get our food from animals. China’s zoos have been known for their great pandas. Pandas have been announced “endangered” at 1984, (“When was the…

Words 2493 - Pages 10

Do Zoos Protect Animals In Captivity?

Articles state that zoos are constantly changing and developing to create safer and more efficient exhibits for the animals. For example building bigger habitats, nicer overall living conditions, and better food sources. Another reason that these zoos are so important is because they can save animals from becoming extinct. When researchers start to notice a rapid decline in the number of animals in a species, they rely on zoos to take in a male and a female of that species to breed and increase the…

Words 389 - Pages 2

Essay on Giant Panda and Zoos

Most animals housed in zoos are not endangered, nor are they being prepared for release into natural habitats. In fact, it is nearly impossible to release captive-bred animals into the wild. A 1994 report by the World Society for the Protection of Animals showed that only 1,200 zoos out of 10,000 worldwide are registered for captive breeding and wildlife conservation. Only 2 percent of the world's threatened or endangered species are registered in breeding programs. Those that are endangered may…

Words 465 - Pages 2

Persuasive Essay Zoos

The importance of having zoos to protect animals especially endangered species which was always debatable, has now become more controversial. The substantial influence of zoos in preventing vunerable animals from extinction in wild nature has sparked the controversial over the potential influence on lots of problems. Intriguingly, some people claim zoos should be banned as they deprive the freedom of animals. This essay will elaborate zoos play vital role in protetcing endangered species and can…

Words 296 - Pages 2

Persuasive Essay On Zoos

Memphis, TN November 9, 2015: Wildlife extinction is a growing issue in the world that human beings play a large part in. Everyday people hear advertisements begging man kind to take action against these terrible losses and do something to help preserve our wildlife. Sadly, most people do not realize the harsh reality that some our world’s most beautiful creatures will not be around for their grandchildren to see one day. Every single day, we hear on the news or on the internet about how our wildlife…

Words 665 - Pages 3

The Role of Zoos in Conservation: Ethical Considerations Essay example

11/27/12 The Role of Zoos in Conservation: Ethical Considerations As the animal rights movement has developed and grown substantially in recent years, there has been an increased focused on the welfare of captive animals. A popular institution that has received much attention for keeping animals captive is the zoo. Because of this focus, zoos have responded by publicizing their positive benefits for existence in order to justify keeping these animals on display. Since the term “zoo” can have a wide…

Words 3041 - Pages 13

Essay about Marketing: Target Segment

who need to purchase detergent on a consistent basis to fulfil the need for cleanliness (user status). Income, religion, socio economic status and other factors does not effect. Australia Zoo - http://goldcoast.godo.com.au/experience-theme-parks-activities-in-sunshine-coast Positioning: Australia Zoo is positioned as ‘As wild as life gets’. All types of animals are conserved such as mammals, birds, reptiles and more. Knowledge about wildlife animals are shared and learnt. Target Segment:…

Words 528 - Pages 3