Zoo

Zoos: Unpacking the controversy

Ariella Gage ’27

Design Editor

We’ve all been to the zoo. As children, we immersed ourselves in the magical world of animals. But have we stopped to consider what zoos truly mean for animals? Have we thought about the cost of our entertainment and its impact on the natural world? Maybe we need to take a step back and consider that it can be unethical to keep wild animals, that were once free, in zoos.

Obviously, animals naturally live in the open outdoors, free to do as they please. Not only do zoos limit animals’ choice of where to be and what to do, but they also physically limit their ability to move freely. 

Take, for example, lions. According to the African Bush Camps Foundation, a single lion’s territory stretches anywhere from 20 to 400 square miles. On the other hand, the lion cages at the Los Angeles Zoo are only 1200 square feet, about one third the size of a basketball court. This is a massive difference. 

In addition, an artificial environment deprives animals of their natural behaviors and social structures that they rely on for survival in the wild. They no longer have to spend physical and mental effort on activities like hunting prey, avoiding predators and raising their young. As a result, many animals end up resorting to unhealthy compulsive behaviors to cope with their boredom and stress. It’s common to see zoo animals pacing in their cages, grooming themselves excessively or simply sleeping all day as a result of insufficient mental stimulation.

So, with the knowledge that zoos can be unfair to animals, what can we do? Some argue that shutting down zoos would mean job losses and fewer educational opportunities for children; but it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. 

For example, ethical zoos only keep animals who are being rehabilitated, with the goal of eventually releasing them into the wild if possible. Another ethical use for animal captivity is to protect endangered species. Some zoos have breeding programs that work to preserve species that might otherwise be extinct. This way, the excitement and rich learning opportunities of a zoo still remains, but the animals are being helped instead of harmed purely for human entertainment. 

Next time you think about going to the zoo, stop and consider whether you are supporting a good cause or a bad one. By putting the interests of animals at an equal level to those of humans, we take a step toward a more ethical world. Traditional zoos may be cruel, but lucky for us there are alternatives that benefit everyone involved!