Are zoos ethical in the modern age?

Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy

Question: Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Position‹2 of 2: No, zoos are good
Argument‹2 of 5›: Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy

Captive animals tend to live longer than their wild counterparts.

The argument

Scientists have proved that most wild animals have a longer life expectancy when kept in zoos. Being in a safe environment with access to professional care ensures an animal will live into old age. While in zoos, animals also mature at a slower rate, causing them to live longer. This proves zoos are beneficial and helpful to animal survival. For example, female lions live over 10 years longer in captivity.

Premises

[P1]Scientists have shown most wild animals have a longer life expectancy in zoos, thanks to a safe environment and professional care. [P2] In zoos animals also mature more slowly, which lengthens their lives — female lions live over ten years longer in captivity. [C] Therefore, because zoo animals have a longer life expectancy, zoos are good.

Counter-arguments

Some animals live longer in the wild than in zoos. For example, elephants live over twice as long when free. Lack of exercise is the biggest cause of death among elephants in zoos. Elephants travel long distances in the wild; when being held in captivity, they cannot get the proper exercise they need.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Some animals, like elephants, live longer in the wild.