I believe zoos can only be justifiable for scientific research and conservation purpose.

In
the past, zoos were oriented just to entertain and educate people. However, This practice
may involve obtaining an economic benefit greater than that required for maintenance
fines. This is the reason why zoos should be charities where any profit is used in
conservation and scientific efforts.
Some animal’s rights activists think that all zoos and aquariums should be shut down
and all the wildlife released into their natural habitats. It is true that until the 19th
century, zoos were private meant only for the eyes of the rich to admire exotic species
as entertainment. However, zoos have come a long way, according to Florida Atlantic
Univresity, zoological facilities such as zoos and aquariums are important resources for
the general public, the wildlife in human care, researchers and behaviorists.
In conclusion, any form of animal captivity oriented to satisfy human’s curiosity for the
exotic, should be banned. Having animals under controlled conditions provides
opportunity to discover advances in health, environmental changes and others. Also,
zoos offer the opportunity of conserving entire ecosystems and species, being the only
reason some species have not yet gone extinct.