Home Categories About
argument top image
Are zoos ethical in the modern age? Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Yes, zoos are bad Yes, zoos are bad
No, zoos are good No, zoos are good
Zoo animals attack people Zoo animals attack people
Zoos remove animals from their environment Zoos remove animals from their environment
Zoos give animals poor health Zoos give animals poor health
Zoos have inadequate living conditions Zoos have inadequate living conditions
Predators born in zoos are likely to die if released Predators born in zoos are likely to die if released
Zoos are created for profit Zoos are created for profit
Zoos are unethical because they are dangerous for animals Zoos are unethical because they are dangerous for animals
Zoos conserve endangered species Zoos conserve endangered species
Zoos educate about exotic animals Zoos educate about exotic animals
Zoos provide research opportunities Zoos provide research opportunities
Zoos provide quick and advanced medical care Zoos provide quick and advanced medical care
Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy
Debate Mini Map

Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Back to question

Yes, zoos are bad

(1 of 2) Next position >

Zoo animals attack people

There have been many reported cases of animals injuring people at zoos.
Animal Attacks Animals Ethics
Blackfish
(1 of 7) Next argument >

The Argument

There have been many instances where zoo animals have attacked trainers and civilians, causing serious injuries or death. Even when making great efforts to keep the animals and people safe, attacks still occur. Zoos can never be completely safe, and people put themselves at risk each time they go. For example, a 4-year-old boy ran into a gorilla exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo. The gorilla tossed the boy around until it was killed by the zookeepers.[1]A trainer at SeaWorld was killed by an orca. The animal pulled her into the water and she drowned.[2] A toddler fell off an observation deck into the wild African dog exhibit. He was immediately attacked and killed by the animals.[3]

Counter arguments

All attacks by zoo animals are caused by human error. A majority of attacks occur when a person is in the animal's enclosure, within close proximity to the animal. The animal could feel threatened by having a person in their space, which provokes an attack. For example, a zookeeper was mauled by a tiger because the metal gate designed to isolate the animal was left open.[4]

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Zoo animals attack humans. [P2] Zoos are never completely safe. [P3] Going to the zoo is dangerous.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Humans provoke animal attacks. [Rejecting P3] Attacks at zoos rarely happen.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/30/us/gorilla-killed-after-child-enters-enclosure-at-cincinnati-zoo.html
  2. https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmazingAnimals/whale-kills-trainer-sea-worlds-shamu-stadium/story?id=9932526
  3. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/11/04/pittsburgh-zoo-child-killed/1681645/
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jul/10/death-zoo-keeper-rosa-king-mauled-tiger-ruled-accidental
This page was last edited on Monday, 26 Oct 2020 at 14:18 UTC

Explore related arguments