Zoos and the animals

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Should zoos be required to have a certain amount of space for each animal they keep? Should it be required from the zoos to keep the animals in as close as to a natural environment as possible instead of cages or pens?



Granted there are zoos that work strictly as what they term for the welfare of the animal. This may include a breeding program for endangered wildlife, educating the public and so on. Others may just be in it for the appeal of having a zoo in town and attracting visitors.



If anyone has ever seen lions or bears pacing at a zoo, or perhaps elephants packed into a 1/3 of an acre fenced in area. You can't help to notice the animals just aren't happy. The animals may have been born in captivity and this is all they know. But does it make it ok then? Does effort need to be made to put more emphasis on the well being of the animals before a zoo can keep them?

 

[Peaceful]

Animals in zoo's, for conservation purposes should be in as much as they can, their natural environment. They need a nice amount of space for each animal, enough to move around, exercise, and to be happy.

 

[The Dragon Master]

I don't agree with them being stuck in cages. But I don't mind as much if a pride of lions or a pack of wolves have been given several acres/whatever of land to roam around in.



Elephants never look happy in captivity. They are to big and intelligent and probebly need plenty of things to keep them happy.



I agree that more needs to be done to keep the animal's happy in captivity. If they're going to live there all their lives then the zoo needs to cater for them.

 

[Jazzy]

No animal belongs in a zoo for human entertainment.

 

[DrLeftover]

I thought the humans were entertaining the animals by walking through making faces.

 

[Peace2]

I don't mind zoos. Some of the animals there have been pampered since birth and would not survive in the wild so easily. They are either in reserved areas or in zoos. I do think the animals should have enough space to be comfortable and happy. Those animals that are uncomfortable probably have other issues with them -It might not be about space at all.

 

[dragoh]

how about let the animals go in there enviroment