Are Zoos Cruel or Useful?

Belfast Zoo is the only zoo in Northern Ireland, and it is on the verge of closing, due to declining rates of visiters. To me, this is a wonderful thing, as I hate zoos, and one less in the world is a great thing.

I feel that kepping animals in a zoo, is like putting them in jail. They are not in the right conditions, they are kept in small spaces, and are generally very unhappy. Going to see animals in a zoo to learn about them, is like sending someone to a prison to learn how humans live. People insist that that is the purpose of zoos, to learn about the animals live. I think it is for cruel entertainment.

My grandfather used to work in a hospital for people with mental problems. He compared the elephants to some of the patients he had dealt with. He said that the people he looked after, would sit and swing their heads in boredom, and that is exactly what the elephants were doing in a television programme about the zoo that we seen. Surly that is an awful thing to see?

I remember I went to this zoo when I was very young, too young to understand. All I can remember is the poor chimpanzees, sitting in this very small cage, of concrete, and leaves painted on the walls. What sort of life is this to lead for any thing, animal or human?

I hope that all zoos and circuses containing animals will be a thing of the past very, very soon. I would like to hear your views on this, please.

From Rachel.

You hate zoos, yet some species in the world are only surviving and will only survive as a result of them. In the future zoos may be the only place we can see many types of animal species that would otherwise have been destroyed and extinct. Try using your common sense for once, tricky I know... ;0

Wild animals and domestic animals are two very different things. Who cares if there is only one tiger left in a zoo and none in the wild? If I did, it would be for very selfish reasons. The very last Tasmanian Tiger was left in a zoo, but what did that matter? Even if there were two, they could never produce enough young to get the same number of TTs before.


Oh, and you are being very nice to me today, as usual.

Hey be nice you two
I've always liked going to the Zoo and Aquariums. Sure the thought of these animals being locked up isn't very comforting, but it gives little kids the chance to see animals that they could never see normally.

I would rather they watched Discovery Channel, it is more realistic than seeing animals in pain.

Zoos are constantly improving, and the ones with basd conditions are starting to get forcefully cleaned up. And as I said earlier... how are kids supposed to watch the animal on the discovery channel if it it extinct?

Also you don't take into account that many zoos have highly successful breeding programs that are helping to re-establish some endangered species such as pandas, tigers and gorrillas etc etc. Should we stop doing that too and just let the animals die out?

As I said, you need to look at the bigger, more far-reaching and long-term picture than merely coming out with the rather narrow-minded "save the world in two minutes" stuff. No-one likes seeing animals in discomfort, and of course it is better for animal to be in it's natural habitat. But the world we live in now is not the world we lived in 100 years ago.

For a start, I do wish you wouldn't have a go at me.

Those animals are hurting and are in pain. They have safari parks and conservation programmes for breeding animals now, with proper conditions.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Look at these poor little animals. They hate it! They are from Belfast Zoo.

Belfast Zoo has over 20 species in its endangered and rare species programme.

Ans sorry if I seem to be overly having a go, I just see you as one of those semi-extremist types who over-dramatises everything and all you see is the bad points about everything. You hate people. You hate zoos blahdey blahdey blah.

No-one in their right mind likes animal cruelty, or the fact that in zoos they are taken out of their natural habitat, but making statements like "I wish zoos didnt exist" is just so over the top, they have many benefits. If they didn't exist then soon neither would many species of animal. But if that's what would make you happy...

I agree with Richdog. If the zoo's care for the animals, many will become happy and acustomed to witness it.

And I agree, Richdog.

Star_Child, seriously, I care about the ethical and moral treatment of animals just as much as you, but you have to realise that not all Zoo's are bad. Some are actually hugely beneficial to the species they keep.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Walken and Richdog in agreement shocker

Reuters (14:02pm)

Today saw a landmark achievement on the Unexplained Mysteries Forum where two members called Walken and Richdog had a similar opinions, so much that it could have almost been called an agreeement. Both members were shocked yet visibly pleased at the outcome, Walken even stating "this could be the start of something special, and I hope Rich feels the same way". The site owner, Saruman, along with several of the site moderators, are still said to be in hospital suffering from severe shock.

Ah, good times.

I still remember the very first thing we disaggreed on....

Ah....memories....

Above and beyond the obvious, protecting and understanding endangered species of animals. Zoos are also useful in teaching our youth the important part animals play in our lives. Zoos also can inspire a youngster into pursuing a career in maybe veterinary science or animal conservation. I know that my interest in animals came from trips to Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo in Chicago on school field trips. Zoos are important and should be kept not only open but supported by the general public as well.

Looks like you're faceing another front, Starrey.

As always, I'd happily debate the subject with you. But I think richdog would do better

those animals may seem mad but thier well protected.. think about it.. would you rather have animals in a zoo that are endangered getting taken care of day by day or out in the wild where they could easily get killed by humans or something else..

As a few others have said now, not all zoos are bad!

I understand some have TERRIBLE living conditions for the animals, and should be closed permenantly, but some really care about the animals and have them living in comfort.

Zoos are useful to mostly zookeepers. we think it gives them work.

Zoos are also useful to squirrels. This is where herds of them can enjoy free pink popcorn and cotton candy.

Belfast Zoo as you have seen, is not good to its animals. It is purely for entertainment purposes. How can 'animal jail' be beneficial to any one? If people want to see wild animals, watch TV. The animals in the zoo certainly aren't wild.

And how can two animals save an entire species? It would be impossible.

And Richdog, I hate people for reasons I do not wish to discuss with you. Think what you want dude.

Star_Child, it is unjust for you to say 'You hate people'. The statement is also untrue because you like a lot of people.

If zoo's have poor conditons for animals, regulations quickly cease them on it

Why yes, yes it would. But it sure sounds like fun.

Moe, you and Daughter of Nine moons might have to end up saveing the human species one day

Now Walken, can you imagine the kids???

Two animals save an entire species? Do you think that just ONE zoo is breeding these animals? There are hundreds!

And im sure I can guess why you hate people... something to do with violence, cruelty and crimes against nature... right?

Oh...harsh

now now people, I don't want to start banging heads together....

I agree to a point that Zoo's are beneficial, and are a remarkably great way to educate people on the animal world. You can only learn so much looking at a TV screen. I think the bigger zoos, like West Midlands Safari Park in the UK (and other similar ones) are great, because they are so big that you actually drive around them, and the monkeys can come and sit on your car (and pull bits off) and you can feed them too. I also agree that there are zoo's that don't seem to be so much for the welfare of the animals, and I do have a problem with them. At the end of the day, there are strict regulations to ensure the safety and comfort of these animals. I don't know any other opportunity I would've got to get up close to my favorite animal - the wolf - if it was'nt for zoos or nature reserves.

The Marmite has spoken!

Yes he has, and his word is final.

Well...not quite yet.

Richdog and Walken, I do not hate everyone. I hate a lot of people I know. Not everyone. Belfast Zoo was cruel, Born Free and I are very glad it is closing. I would rather there were a lot of zoos with good conditions, than few with bad.
Richdog, I cannot hate people just because they are bad to nature. I would hate my family then, and I can't do that. I know you all think I am just a big eco-freak, and you're probably right, but I just want a nice world for everyone.

As for the breeding programme, I do not think it will ever work. Belfast Zoo is closing soon, and I am glad.

I know loads of zoo's are great for the animals, (Obviousy not as great as the wild...) but I'm glad that one's closing down, from the photos I see.

DIE ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!!

At least one person agrees!

Yeah, they are pretty nasty pictures. The poor wee elephant.

They breed endangerd animals also, they aren't just for entertainment purposes.

Yes, but what is the point? They will grow up to go through the same pain as their parents.

The point would be that man in his infinite stupidity has driven some animals to extinction and others right to the edge. I believe we need to do what ever we must to try and contain the damage we cause and repair the damage we can. This includes captive breeding programs in zoos. Zoos also bring to light the current population condition of a species by enlightening the public and bringing support for the cause of preservation.

I see your point.
They wouldn't even be so bad if they took care of the animals well. I still don't agree with zoos at all, but I understand your response to this topic.

The damage can never be undone. I don't think the tigers care that they are becoming extinct, I think they only care about how they feel themselves.

Star_Child, evreyone aggrees that cruel zoos need to be closed or regulated. Just because I have no problem with zoo's that meet a criteria suitable for the ethical treatment of animals, does not mean I support the unfair treatment of those that don't.

"I know you all think I am just a big eco-freak, and you're probably right"

Actually many people will probably think the opposite of that. I know that through first hand experience of people thinking it of myself.

Ban the Bad ones then.

Oh, and many people think that of me. Im not offended by it. My parents call me the Eco Warrior.

yes, but many people will actually think the opposite of that.

Ah, I see what you mean.

Putting animals in zoos, is like convicting the wrong person and putting them in prison for life when they have done nothing wrong.

As I know you quite well, I know you're not, but before I've been accused of (no doubt you have been too) takeing contraversial views and saying or doing strange things just to be differnt.

You've probably been told that you just have an intrest in PETA and green peace for attention too right?

Walken knows, Walken knows.

Yes! But its not that at all. I mean, do people really think that I am gonna pretend to care, so that people make fun? I don't think so...


I do care, that is why I am glad Belfast Zoo is closing.

Agreed

People have thought this about Walken too.

star and walk are like-minded.

And cute!


Beautiful animals do not deserve to be in jail, do they? No more than they deserve to be eaten, or made into coats.

or made slaves or killed for entertainment, I add.

Belfast Zoo had a bear from a circus. It just lay down all day, chewing its claws from boredom. Born Free were giving them ideas, like making up games for the little bear, but Belfast Zoo didn't pay attention. They said the bear was like that and wouldn't change. Animals are nto objects.

Animals were not put on this earth to serve humans, no more than black people were put on this earth to serve whites, or woman put on this earth to serve men.