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 >

Zoos give animals poor health

Living in captivity is terrible for an animal's health.
Animals Ethics Health
John Hargrove Antonia Russo
< (3 of 7) Next argument >

The Argument

Being held in captivity is psychologically and physically detrimental to an animal. It can lead to the development of physical and mental illnesses and lead to more violent interactions. Sometimes, zookeepers use prescription drugs to improve the behavior of animals. Animal behavioralists have proven that animals can develop different disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, obesity, and anxiety.[1] Being trapped in an enclosure worsens an animal's mental state and overall quality of life. For example, a killer whale that is responsible for multiple human deaths was shown to be held alone in a small tank, provoking violent behavior.[2] Elephants in captivity are more likely to be stressed and obese. Wild elephants live decades longer than ones kept in zoos.[3] A captive bear has even developed OCD. It repeatedly slammed its head against the metal bars of its enclosure.

Counter arguments

Not all zoo animals develop physical or mental illnesses. In fact, living in a zoo may be less stressful than living in the wild. The animal does not have to search or kill for food, water, or shelter since it is already provided by zookeepers. Since the animal has everything it needs, it will not be stressed about surviving.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Being held in captivity psychologically harms an animal. [P2] Being held in captivity physically harms an animal. [P3] Animals develop mental illnesses from living in zoos.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] Not all animals are physically ill in captivity. [Rejecting P3] Not all animals develop a mental illness in captivity.

References

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/06/magazine/zoo-animals-and-their-discontents.html?auth=login-email&login=email
  2. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/07/case-for-the-end-of-the-modern-zoo.html?gtm=bottom
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/dec/12/elephants-animal-welfare

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Monday, 26 Oct 2020 at 14:19 UTC

Explore related arguments