Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons 531 words [Essay Example]
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Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons

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Words: 531 |

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3 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Essay grade:
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Words: 531|Page: 1|3 min read

Updated: 27 January, 2025

Essay grade:
Good
arrow downward Read Review
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The issue that has been lingering for a long time, why zoos should be banned, is discussed in this essay. “We do not own planet Earth; we belong to it. We must share it with our wildlife” – Steve Irwin. Keeping animals in zoos means that they do not have any freedom, they live in an unnatural habitat and they get bored stressed and lonely. Therefore, zoos are bad for all animals in the world.

Animals only have a limited amount of freedom in zoos. In the wild animals have thousands of kilometers to roam and be free. In zoos the animals are trapped in tiny cages and sometimes the floor is even made of concrete. Neil Strauss, author, journalist and ghost writer said, ‘Rather than having actual freedom, it seemed that, like animals in a habitat in the zoo, we had only the illusion of freedom. As long as we did not try to leave the cage, we’d never know we weren’t actually free.’ Animals that were taken from their natural habitat early will never know what real freedom is. Living in an environment like this is not at all like the animal’s natural habitat.

Living in habitats with no grass, sand or plants on the floors and inadequate space is not anything like an animal’s natural habitat. Taking an animal away from its family and putting it in a small enclosure with glass or gates around it is not right. Robert Breault says, ‘The only creature on Earth whose natural habitat is a zoo is the zookeeper.’ Some zoos have balanced natural ecosystems and give animals adequate space, but most zoos give them extraordinarily little space and often with artificial plants and grass. With everything going on around the animals it can be incredibly stressful for them.

Animals are often alone in their cages and they can become very isolated without necessary bonding with their own kind. Zoos are usually remarkably busy places and with all the commotion going on around the animals it can be incredibly stressful, and they can get very bored as well. Sundaram Mani states that, ‘Within the prison walls of every zoo, there sits the tortured souls with empty eyes and broken spirits.’ This is a devastatingly sad quote because it talks about the heart-wrenching suffering of some animals that are kept in zoos. At times animals get anxious leading to the point where they stop eating and drinking an then they just starve to death and die if not monitored. No animal deserves this trauma, even though they could live longer in zoos they live a life of boredom and can display nervous behaviors. Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals.

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In conclusion, after all these aspects have been considered zoos should be banned. Animals that are kept in zoos have an unnatural environment where they get unstimulated and socially withdrawn. Having limited freedom would drastically affect any creature’s life. It is time for people to realise how serious this issue is and how cruel it is for animals. As Jane Goodall said, “The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.

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Works Cited

  1. Bostock, S. (2016). Zoos and animal welfare. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science. Oxford University Press.
  2. Carr, N., & Cohen, S. (2011). Banning zoos: Can animals be liberated from captivity? Anthrozoös, 24(4), 449-461.
  3. Fuentes, A. (2018). Zoos and conservation: On the need for evidence-based decision-making. Cambridge University Press.
  4. Gusset, M., & Dick, G. (2011). The global reach of zoos and aquariums in visitor numbers and conservation expenditures. Zoo Biology, 30(5), 566-569.
  5. Mason, G., & Latham, N. (2004). Can’t stop, won’t stop: Is stereotypy a reliable animal welfare indicator? Animal Welfare, 13(1), 57-69.
  6. Marino, L. (2017). Thinking chickens: A review of cognition, emotion, and behavior in the domestic chicken. Animal Cognition, 20(2), 127-147.
  7. Marino, L., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2007). Dolphin captivity: A review of the evidence. In E. J. Capaldi (Ed.), The psychology of animal behavior (Vol. 1, pp. 217-243). ABC-CLIO.
  8. Melfi, V., & Ward, S. J. (2014). The role of zoos in contemporary society: A conservation perspective. International Zoo Yearbook, 48(1), 7-28.
  9. Sandøe, P., Palmer, C., & Corr, S. (Eds.). (2018). Companion animal ethics. John Wiley & Sons.
  10. Singer, P. (2009). Animal liberation. Harper Perennial.
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This essay was graded by
Alex Wood
Essay’s grade:
Good
What’s grading
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Expert Review
The essay presents a compelling argument for banning zoos, emphasizing the detrimental effects on animals kept in captivity. The author effectively uses quotes from notable figures such as Steve Irwin, Neil Strauss, and Jane Goodall to support their points about the lack of freedom, unnatural living conditions, and social isolation that animals experience in zoos. The comparison of zoos to prisons is particularly striking and highlights the emotional and psychological distress faced by captive animals. While the essay provides a strong case against zoos, it could benefit from addressing counterarguments or considering possible solutions for improving existing zoo conditions rather than solely advocating for their ban. Additionally, providing more empirical evidence or case studies would strengthen the claims made. Overall, this well-articulated piece raises important ethical questions about wildlife conservation and animal rights but would be more robust with a broader exploration of perspectives.
minus plus
What can be improved
The essay presents a persuasive argument for banning zoos by highlighting the negative impacts on animals in captivity. However, there are several areas where it could be improved. First, while the use of quotes from notable figures adds weight to the argument, integrating empirical evidence or specific case studies would enhance credibility and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues discussed. For instance, citing research studies on animal behavior in captivity versus the wild could strengthen claims about psychological distress. Additionally, addressing counterarguments would present a more balanced perspective. Discussing potential benefits that some modern zoos claim to offer—such as conservation efforts or educational programs—could help refine the argument and show awareness of differing viewpoints. Finally, proposing possible solutions for improving zoo conditions might add depth to the discussion. Rather than solely advocating for a ban, exploring alternative models for wildlife care and rehabilitation could provide constructive avenues for readers to consider. Overall, these enhancements would contribute to a more robust and nuanced exploration of this critical ethical issue in wildlife conservation and animal rights.

Cite this Essay

Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons. (2022, April 08). GradesFixer. Retrieved February 17, 2025, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/reasons-why-zoos-should-be-banned/
“Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons.” GradesFixer, 08 Apr. 2022, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/reasons-why-zoos-should-be-banned/
Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/reasons-why-zoos-should-be-banned/> [Accessed 17 Feb. 2025].
Zoos Should Be Banned: The Reasons [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2022 Apr 08 [cited 2025 Feb 17]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/reasons-why-zoos-should-be-banned/
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