ZOO's

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 11:42

Should we ban the keeping of animals in zoos?



Or should animals belong in their natural habitat in the wild?



Is it a breach of their natural rights to take them by force into captivity for our own purposes?

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 11:49

Myself i think Zoo's are cruel , even though they are looked after well . But then you could argue that if an animal is captive bred it does'nt know anything else , so it is the norm for them . Then on the other hand it's educational for people who perhaps would never have the opportunity of seeing them in their own habitat . my sentiments are full of contradictions !!!

Regards , Pat

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 13:03

Firstly, animals have no rights per se. If they did then each time you ate a chicken mcnugget or a steak sandwich or wore leather shoes or utilized any of the millions of products that derive from animals you would be breaching their "natural rights". Too, suggesting they have rights implies they are on some sort of level with humanity. They are not.



Much that has been critical to humanity's development has been and continues to be based on using them for our own purposes. However, how we treat them during such utilization goes to determine how humane we are.



Zoos (and Aquaria) are more relevant now than they have ever been - primarily as repositories of gene and breeding stock for species which would otherwise be extinct. They also enable much research to be carried out to protect such species. That they are also useful for educational purposes is a wonderful side-benefit.

Lambousa Gordon


Joined: 03/11/2007
Posts: 1992

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 13:07

(continued)



That said, animals existing in their natural habitats is of course the ideal, provided we can still study and utilize them as is necessary. Sadly, because of humanity those habitats are fast shrinking and zoos sometimes offer the safest sanctuary for the critically endangered species.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 13:32

Good post Gordon. I agree.

Chaz4566


Joined: 31/12/2008
Posts: 32

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 13:32

i agree with closing them down. good post.

the butler


Joined: 22/06/2007
Posts: 1958

Message Posted:
11/03/2009 14:18

I often used to visit the zoo at Flamingo land and whilst the keepers did their best to care for these poor animals, it was always apparent that none of them looked happy. After going on Safari to Kenya and seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. I made a pledge never to visit a zoo again.

One can argue that many animals will die out, if not for the work zoos do but that is the way of nature. I don't mind Safari parks, where animals are allowed to roam free but to cage them is cruel and barbaric.



The butlers wife