Grzelczyk

Paul Grzelczyk

Mrs. Hoffacker

English I Honors

4 Dec 2020

Born to Be Wild

In the past few decades, Zoos have been a controversial topic debating or not, should

they exist. Some believe humanity is in its 6th mass extinction with the number of species that

are decreasing or disappearing altogether. To try to mitigate the impacts of climate change and

anthropogenic practices, a variety of conservation efforts are being placed in motion. In

conservation work, zoos have been increasingly involved. That said, discussions are also

growing as to whether zoos can be used as a viable conservation technique. There are advantages

and disadvantages posed by zoos. Although the primary role of zoos in the past was to amuse,

fulfill the curiosity of human beings for the exotic, today most zoos have four main goals:

entertainment, education, scientific study, and conservation. Zoos also set up 'insurance' colonies

for species whose survival in the wild looks in doubt, captive groups of animals that might aid in

reintroduction to the wild in a worst-case scenario should the original population become extinct.

The Zoological Society of London, as an example, participates in more than 160 of these

programs. Although several people believe that holding animals in zoos is captive and cruel,

zoos are crucial to the environment because animals can be bred to increase their population and

avoid extinction, they will get sufficient treatment and nutrition, along with scientists studying

animal behaviors and traits.

 Grzelczyk

For instance, zoos are important because they can be bred to increase the population of

their breed and prevent extinction. “To wit, dozens of zoos across North America participate in

the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA’s) Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program, which

aims to manage the breeding of specific endangered species in order to help maintain healthy and

self-sustaining populations that are both genetically diverse and demographically stable” (How

Do Zoos Help Endangered Animals?). The ultimate objective of many SSPs is the reintroduction

into their original wild habitats of captive-raised endangered species. According to AZA, over

the last three decades, SSPs and associated projects have helped to bring back black-footed

ferrets, California condors, red wolves, and many other endangered animals from the verge of

extinction. A study conducted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) found that

conservation and education of the public rank as the most important roles of zoos (Fraser and

Stickler 2008). In their mission statements, most zoos discuss conservation and education,

indicating that these are incredibly significant aspects of zoo culture. “Zoos primarily deal with

three aspects of conservation – practice, advocacy and research. Conservation practice entails

captive breeding, species reintroduction programs, Species survival plans and the use of zoo

revenue for conservation programs in the wild” (The Conservation Mission of Zoos),

Conservation activism encompasses public participation, awareness promotion, stewardship

advocacy, and activities and schemes for fundraising, a clear example of which is the 'Adopt an

Animal' scheme at most modern zoos. In addition, conservation research is carried out on the

biology of biodiversity, population dynamics, animal behavior, health and welfare, and there are

also publications on animal care and captivity provided by zoos. Many organizations support and

promote countless efforts to spread species and conserve genetic diversity using rigorous and

sophisticated breeding programs, and then reintroduce critically endangered or extinct species
 Grzelczyk

into the wild. “Even when animals are never introduced into the wild, placing them under human

care can still improve the lives of their wild counterparts: Modern zoos and aquariums serve as

bases for observation and research, which then helps protect wild animals” (Ganzert). Of course,

zoos and aquariums' positive contributions to the survival of wild animals do not and should not,

overshadow the welfare and well-being of the animals under the care of these organizations.

Therefore, the American Humane Association is launching a national campaign to increase

global zoo and aquarium welfare standards.

For instance, zoos provide sufficient nutrition and treatment to animals. To satisfy

individual tastes, digestive processes, and feeding practices, the nutrients and energy must be

perfectly balanced and in the correct shape. “Providing the best diets means not only formulating

appropriate diets, but also includes performing the research that provides the information keepers

use to make rational, science-based nutrition decisions” (Animal Nutrition Science), this includes

everything from the preparation of scientific diets to the assembly and distribution of diets, to the

research behind the diets, and to the actual production of dietary ingredients. For many of the

Zoo's birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates, the dedication to supporting and

practicing innovative wildlife nutrition continues today. Nutrition staff may promote specific

behaviors, such as hunting and gathering, that improve their health, by providing the required

animals with browsing. “The zoo’s Horticulture staff identifies and evaluates every browse

species before it is give to an animal. Nutrition staff maintains a “safe browse list” that is

reviewed by the director of horticulture and director of veterinary services in order to ensure the

safety of zoo animals” (Nutrition Lincoln Park Zoo). If the animal does not consume its

formulated diet, nutrition workers go back to the drawing board to develop a new diet that
 Grzelczyk

attracts the person while fulfilling their dietary requirements. Zoo nutritionists often put on their

chef's hat and develop new recipes to assist with weight gain. “A good zoo provides an enriched

habitat in which the animals are never bored, are well cared for, and have plenty of space” (Lin

Do Zoos still have a place in this World). Zoos offer a chance for certain animals to live. A zoo

provides food, protection, and water for animals that they would not have been able to explore in

the wild.

Zoos can be more accurately defined as "collections" of fascinating animals than as actual

havens or residences, despite their professed concern for animals. Even the best of zoos, and

under the best of conditions, captivity does not begin to mimic the habitats of wild animals.

“Animals are often prevented from doing most of the things that are natural and important to

them, like running, roaming, flying, climbing, foraging, choosing a partner, and being with

others of their own kind” (Zoos: Pitiful Prisons). Zoos inform people that interfering with

animals and maintaining them locked up in captivity, where they are miserable, crowded, lonely,

stripped of any control over their lives, and far from their natural homes, is appropriate.

To summarize, scientific research and zoo experimentation may provide valuable

knowledge for treating both wild and captive animals. “Knowing specific features like normal

range values for blood tests, anatomical peculiarities, physiological particularities (such as

reproductive and life history characteristics) and drug dosages is only possible through extensive

investigation by research in zoological institutions” (The Zoo Scientist; Zoos as Science). Due to

long-term research programs, better approaches to veterinary care and vet treatment have been

achieved over the past decades. If others are unable to provide them with great animal treatment,

it does not help to depict oneself as safe harbors for animals. Not only do zoos benefit scientist

and researchers, they also encourage students as well, and spark curiosity, “They offer educational
 Grzelczyk

activities, special events, conservation days, field trips, a chance to be involved in research programs, the

chance to become a keeper for a day and educational STEM-related workshops. Some also offer

curriculum-based learning plans and can transform the zoo into an outdoor classroom for students of all

ages and abilities, even integrating specially formulated sensory experiences” (Zoos have quantifiable

learning benefits), University of Warwick research confirms the importance for students of a trip

to the zoo, demonstrating that a visit to the zoo will improve the science and conservation

education of a child more than books or classroom teaching alone. "53 percent of students aged

7-14] had a positive change in educational or conservation-related knowledge areas, personal

concern for endangered species or new empowerment to participate in conservation efforts" after

a school zoo excursion, Eric Jensen, the professor of sociology who created the research study

was astonished. “The opportunity to be in close contact with these animals provides us with

knowledge and data that can be of use in the management of wild populations. By applying the

expertise acquired by zoo professionals, with captive animals, and by exchanging information

with researchers in the field, there are higher chances of succeeding at both providing optimal

care to captive animals and protecting their wild counterparts” (The Zoo Scientist; Zoos as

Science). Rather than applying science alone where knowledge is obtained for practical

purposes, zoos often contribute to "pure science", and the act of learning to improve the

knowledge of many. Within wild and in captivity, zoos, with an increasing role in science,

research is crucial for studying. The understanding of the natural world, with so much to

discover, relies heavily on the academic research of zoos.

To conclude, many people claim that keeping animals in zoos is captive and abusive,

zoos are critical to the population because animals can be bred to expand one's population and

prevent extinction, along with scientists researching animal habits and characteristics, plus they
 Grzelczyk

can receive adequate care and nutrition. In many circumstances, animal captivity has beneficial

consequences, such as having advantages that the wild does not, allowing endangered species to

survive, and zoos educate the public more about animals kept in captivity. Zoos do have a

positive aspect, whether it is the reintroduction initiatives, how appropriate nutrients and

treatment are provided, or how the public is able to learn more about various animal species.

Many species would become extinct if people do not keep zoos in operation. Otherwise, the risk

for humanity to meet harmful and unknown animals may also be higher.

Animals Depend On