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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
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Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
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Yes, zoos are bad

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Zoos have inadequate living conditions

Ultimately, zoos would have to go to great architectural and environmental lengths to provide the animals with sufficient living space. Zoos cannot give an animal the environment it needs due to monetary and geographical circumstance.
Animals Ethics
Jane Goodall
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The Argument

Often, zoos located in poor areas are underfunded, therefore they cannot provide proper living conditions for the animals. Without adequate living conditions, the animal's overall health suffers.[1] If a zoo does not have the ability to properly care for wild animals, they should not be operating. For example, nearly 500 animals died over the span of four years at a Cumbrian zoo. Most of the deaths were caused by hypothermia or emaciation.[2] Multiple zoos in Indonesia do not provide a proper enclosure for their animals, such as the sun bear. The bears do not have clean water, shade, and have to rely on zoo visitors for food.[3]

Counter arguments

Many zoos go to great lengths to mimic an animal's natural environment to ensure the animal gets the proper care it needs. They ensure the animal had enough food, water, and shelter to remain healthy. Only under-funded zoos are harming animals, therefore not all zoos are bad or should be closed.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Zoos cannot give animals healthy living conditions. [P2] An animal's health will suffer if it does not have the proper enclosure. [P3] Zoos should close if they cannot provide healthy living conditions.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-2016/
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/06/cumbrian-zoo-south-lakes-safari-500-animals-died-refused-licence
  3. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2017/02/wildlife-watch-indonesia-zoos-animal-welfare/

In the Wild

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

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