ZOOS IN THE UNITED STATES

The Benefits of Zoos in the United States

In the past, various arguments have been presented regarding zoos some in support of and some opposing the setting up and operation of zoos. From the onset, it would be prudent to note that there is no standard definition of a zoo. However, to a large extent, zoos could be perceived as establishments that seek to house animals of different kinds for a wide range of reasons including, but not limited to, display to the public, scientific research, etc. This text explores some of the benefits of having zoos in the United States, specifically with regard to the relevance of the said establishments to the scientific community.

Discussion

For many, zoos are only beneficial to the extent that they provide members of the general public with an opportunity to view and interact with wild animals at close quarters. However, zoos are of great relevance to the scientific community. With increased human population, which is a modern-day reality, societies have come to appreciate the need and relevance of game reserves. This is more so the case given that with increased human presence, wildlife is negatively impacted. One of the reasons that has been highlighted as being responsible for the dwindling animal populations is habitat destruction (Hanski, 2011). With this in mind, the need have designated locations where wildlife is permitted to flourish has been established. However, such flourishing cannot take place in the absence of proper management of the said wildlife, i.e. in game reserve settings. This is where science comes in. Zoos make it possible for scientists to engage in scientific experimentation as well as investigation so as to come up with better ways to manage animal populations and ensure that species are better protected and natured in their natural habitats. For instance, the only way for scientists to establish certain psychological and/or anatomical peculiarities so as to be able to apply the knowledge gathered in effective wildlife management is through studying the relevant...

This is more so the case with regard to the further development of understanding of species and bridging gaps in scientific knowledge. For instance, many researchers (as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students) actively make use of zoos as the ideal setting for their projects. In the absence of zoos that bring together a wide range of animals and species, such research would be largely impossible owing to the logistical challenges of studying the said animals in their natural wild settings. It is important to note that this kind of scientific research is instrumental in efforts to not only promote the wellbeing of animals in their natural settings, but to also avert the extinction of some species by better understanding the habitat tweaks that would best promote the wellbeing of the concerned animals (Kaufman, Bashaw, and Maple, 2019).

There would also be need to note that zoos have made it possible for scientists to actively intervene and ensure that some species are not totally wiped out. The World Wildlife Fund points out that over the last 40 years, we have lost close to 65% of the wildlife population (Hancock, 2020). It therefore follows that there is need for critical stakeholders, such as scientist, to intervene to prevent further decline especially in as far as endangered species are concerned. Such interventions could be inclusive of zoo breeding. In the words of Caldecott (2009), zoos have made it possible for collaborations to be made to maintain vertebrae species in viable breeding populations can be used to restock habitat areas where those species have been lost for reasons that no longer apply (p. 190). For instance some of the animals that have effectively been saved from extinction via intervention measures undertaken in zoo settings include, but they are not…