Eliminating Zoos

By: Jakob Flaggert

To humans, zoos are an entertaining way of seeing animals, but to them it is a torture
chamber. Many people are not aware of the cruelty behind zoos. As children we visit zoos
regularly to see these amazing animals we see in books in actual real life. We were so ecstatic to
see them in their so called natural habitat, but as I got older I soon began to see the agony these
immaculate creatures were enduring. Zoos have animals caged up like prisoners, and deprived
from their natural habitat. These creatures are nothing less than innocent and forced to live this

way for our own entertainment. Some are placed in tiny areas to live in and may be placed near a
predator, which is beyond discomforting. Social animals are often compelled to live in the
despair of solitary confinement. Most of the time these animals are taken away from their
families and their regular behaviors are eliminated by force. According to peta.org, captive

Zoo: An excellent
lace to study the
habits of human
beings.
-Evan Esar

animals dont get to choose their mates, and they are sometimes artificially inseminated so that
their babies can be sold or traded to other zoos. I do not think it can get any more cruel than this.
It is also said that this leads to miscarriages and even death at birth. These animals have no voice,
no way of standing up for themselves and we are taking complete advantage of that, which is
inhumane considering the fact that zoos have been around for plenty of years and nothing serious
is being done about it. As reported by CaptiveAnimals.org, a CAPS study found that at least
7,500 animals and possibly as many as 200,000 in European zoos are surplus at any one
time. These zoos were encouraged to kill these innocent animals for the foolish reasons like, they
took up space, and are hybrids. No one in this world should have the authority to kill anyone or
anything. Change is upon us but only if we are the ones to act on it. Animals are Gods wonderful
creates and should be created like us humans. Zoo: An excellent lace to study the habits of
human beings was said by Evan Esar, a famous American comedian. There is more to this quote
than just laughs, it is that keeping these zoos running is making the human race look barbaric. I
believe the use of informing people would help form a policy to make zoos illegal or at the very
least have very strict restrictions. If we get the word out many will want to join the fight. Holding
educational presentations at schools, and at town meetings would be effective. I think the biggest
problem is that people do not know what is really going on behind closed doors, so if they are
informed they will act on it. Another way to stop this madness from continuing is to get a
petition going and getting politicians involved. Working to exhibit public support for an issue,
we also do large-scale persuading and policy work to guide decision makers and politicians see
the positive effect of a worthy development policy, and how enormous a difference a little effort
can make on the lives of many animals. The lives of these amazing creatures is in our hands, and

we have to remember that. We are the only voice theyve got and little by little we could be the
reason for a happier and fulfilled life for these animals.

Works Cited

Carr, Michelle. "The Reality of Zoos." Www.peta.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Nov. 2014.

"10 Facts about Zoos." N.p., 3 Mar. 2010. Web. 30 Nov. 2014.