Persuasion Map

Persuasion Maps - Disagree

Argumentative Essay

Animals should be kept in zoos for the betterment of their welfare. Do you agree?

          There has been much discussion about the welfare of animals ever since zoos were created. There are many people who support the fact that animals should be kept in zoos. It benefits the animals greatly, because in zoos, the animals have every need catered for. However, in some zoos, animals are ill-treated by their zoo keepers. Sometimes, they even deprive a natural habitat that zoos attempt but fail to re-create after the wild. Consequently, they develop physiological problems. Some zoos are no better than prison cells that cage up animals, causing these creatures to become greatly distressed. Because it is against Mother Nature, animals should not continue to be kept in zoos.

                It has been argued that keeping wild animals in zoos is the only way that people can come face to face with them. Thus, people can learn about these animals in a more unique way. Moreover, animals serve as a form of amusement to their visitors. In Addition, zoos also serve as a form of protection to their animals. These creatures do not need to worry about poaching or being hunted down by their predators. At the same time, immediate action can be taken if the animals are wounded or sick. At the same time, zoos also offer breeding programmes for endangered species of animals.

                Many zoos all over the world take excellent care of their animals. One of them is the Singapore Zoo. It is well-known for its incredible landscape design, with habitats stimulating life in in the wild for each of their animal species. Ever since the year 1973, it was recognized by the world that the Singapore Zoo has one of the most beautiful park settings in the world. It is a place where animals can roam around freely in a naturalistic environment.

                However, this is not the case for other zoos around the world. Some zoos are no better than dungeons that hold greatly distressed animals. They drive their animals into depression because of the poor and appalling conditions that their animals are forced to live in. In 2003, it was broadcasted over the BBC World News that zoos in Japan ill-treat their animals to an unimaginable level. In the Noboribetsu Bear Park, insufficient food and living space are given to the animals. Visitors throw food to them, and they have to fight for it, often hurting themselves. These poor creatures are not taken care of when they were ill. Also, because these bears, which live in cramped and concrete pits, are kept hungry for so long, cubs born there are killed and eaten by other bears that live in the same enclosure.

                Although it is indeed true that zoos are attempting to restore a balance in nature when it comes to the population of endangered species, they only do it to a small and certain extent. In 2000, the Born Free Foundation researched slightly more than a hundred zoos for their ‘Official Zoo Health Check’, only to discover that just a small percentage of five species and subspecies of animals living

in British zoos were listed as endangered species by the IUCN. Only three percent were used breeding programmes. And only one percent of the endangered animals were being introduced back into the wild.

                Animals should not be kept in zoos because it is against nature.  First, zoos are artificial environments for wild animals.  These creatures are unable to live freely and healthily according to their natural instincts after being locked up in cages. Big cats can no longer roam around the savannah and hunt for animals. Primates living in rainforests are not able to climb trees and gather fruit high up in the forest canopy. In this lonely and solitude environment, animals can easily slip into depression, and consequently, early death. Thus, there is a shorter life expectancy in animals that live in zoos. Another problem is that they have a limited choice when it comes to habitat and the choosing of mates

Next, they are frequently distracted by visitors. Zoo visitors often have the habit of feeding them human food, which may contain harmful chemicals. Close contact with human beings can cause animals to become domesticated to some degree. In addition, animals are sometimes deprived of basic needs such as food and a clean environment when they are kept in zoos. Large animals consume a lot of food. This can put a lot of financial stress on the zoo. Consequently, the zoo might then contemplate choosing cheaper and thus less healthy options. Some zoos place their animals into small and filthy enclosures, affecting both mental and physical health of their animals.

On August 21^st this year, three former leaders of zoos from around the world said that their recent visit to the San Francisco Zoo uncovered several problems, including severely outdated exhibits and animals that behave unnaturally. One of them, Robert Atkinson, the former curator of the Woburn Safari Park in England, criticized obsolete design of exhibits in the zoo. He commented that the zoo was like something from the 19th century. He was deeply saddened by the conditions of the zoo, saying it was far different from the rest of San Francisco.

In conclusion, wild animals should not be kept in zoos as these creatures have their own rights. They were captured by man, and most of them compelled to live in terrible conditions, killing them physically and mentally. Neither should they be held captive by us human, whether it benefits them or not. Animals were never meant to exist for our amusement. They are a part of nature. Therefore, it is extremely important that the message spreads, that animals have rights, just like humans, and we have to respect that.