Debate: Should Animals be Kept in Zoos?

This week we are reading about animal conversationalist Jane Goodall. As part of the unit, students are asked to think critically about wild animal issues, such as the debate about whether or not animals should be kept in zoos.

From opposingviews.com here are some arguments FOR and AGAINST keeping animals in zoos:

FOR:
I say yes to the animals in zoos. I love animals in all. but what kind of society would we be if we just assumed the animals are unhappy or happy in the Zoo? Just think about it the animals in the zoo were more then likely born there or was orphaned at a young age an was raised in the zoo. so wouldn't the animals be unable to care for themselves they wouldn't know how to hunt, scavenge, protect themselves. The animal could be so use to humans and would find a village go in there thinking that they would feed them and be friendly but end up dead. So what kind of society would we be if we assume the animal would be okay or no. Animals in zoos are Educational to the younger generation and its been around for ever so why get rid of it now.

AGAINST:
Many animals need freedom! Would you like it if you were kept in a cage? many animals want to be like any other animals free and hunt and be on there own. other people think its safe for them but are they really safe?

From forandagainst.com

FOR:
It is definitely ok to have animals in in zoos because
1. They are safe
2. They are occupied
3. Well looked after
4. Have all the freedom they would have in the wild without worrying about getting eaten

AGAINST:
I'm not really for it, but I'm not against it. I'm studying this topic at school and we recently visited a zoo and to my surprise, most of the animals looked happy in their environments. However i noticed many flaws in the environments. Such as, there were only two lions and as everyone knows lions like to live in prides of many lions. Also, a disagreement with zoos would be that with lemurs, and other monkeys/animals that can climb trees, the zoos put electrical wire disguised as vines so if they try to pass it they get shocked and realize their not allowed to pass. The zoos also do this with larger animals around the edges of the enclosure.

FOR:
There's nothing wrong with animals being kept in zoos, the reality is that many would be extinct entirely if not for zoos and other breeding programs. Animals in captivity live longer, healthier lives than those that live in the wild, it's only the uneducated that would say they're better off going extinct in the wild than having a chance in captivity.

AGAINST:
Animals kept in zoos are taken from there natural habitats and put in cages. In a circus animals are trained for our amusement. How would you like to be trained or kept in a cage? Why should animals be treated any differently?

When analyzing someone's argument ask yourself "Did they cite research or are they just telling your their feelings?"