Verified Document

Zoos The History Of Zoos Essay

Zoos allow for human-animal encounters that could not take place otherwise, and zoos are becoming increasingly pleasant places for individual animals. Many zoos offer extensive spaces for wild animals to roam, barring the ability of those animals to hunt or be hunted. For species preservation, zoos also serve a purpose. Zoos may even inspire visitors to pursue a career in the zoological sciences or a related field of inquiry. Individual animals are safer in zoos than they are in the wild, in the same way that a house cat is safer inside than out. The animal is not in its natural environment and it depends on human beings for its basic survival needs. Therefore, the animal encounters at zoos are unlike those in wilderness because in a zoo the animal is behaving differently, perhaps even abnormally. In zoos that allow for shows and tricks, the abnormal behaviors of captive animals...

Zoos echo a deep-rooted instinct in human beings to prove dominance over nature. The act of capturing and killing an animal is a sign of species superiority. Keeping animals in captivity is therefore the ultimate showmanship, a powerful symbol that all zoo proponents should take to heart. Zoo environments sacrifice the integrity of animal behavior and the natural relationship between animals and their environment for the goal of human progress.
Works Cited

Baratay, Eric and Hardouin-Fugier, Elisabeth. Zoo. Reaktion Books, 2004.

Kisling, Vernon N. Zoo and Aquarium History. CRC Press, 2000.

Robinson, Phillip T. Life at the Zoo. Columbia University Press, 2004.

Smith, Athena. "Zoo Ethics." The Collegian. 2000. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=223

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Baratay, Eric and Hardouin-Fugier, Elisabeth. Zoo. Reaktion Books, 2004.

Kisling, Vernon N. Zoo and Aquarium History. CRC Press, 2000.

Robinson, Phillip T. Life at the Zoo. Columbia University Press, 2004.

Smith, Athena. "Zoo Ethics." The Collegian. 2000. Retrieved April 25, 2009 from http://www.utulsa.edu/collegian/article.asp?article=223
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Argument for in Favor of Keeping Animals in Zoos
Words: 2974 Length: 9 Document Type: Research Paper

Zoo Animals Human beings have kept animals in zoos for centuries, but only relatively recently have the ethical considerations of this practice been widely considered. At one extreme are those individuals and organizations that see no problem keeping animals in zoos and other attractions, in keeping with the long history of animal confinement in the service of human entertainment, and at the other extreme are those individuals and groups arguing that

Great Apes at the Zoo
Words: 917 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Zoo Observation I visited X zoo on a warm, sunny day in October. All of the primates I observed in the zoo were confined to a specific area, although they were separated by species (Strier 1-2). The apes were enclosed in a habitat that attempted to mimic their natural environment behind a pane of glass. Although there was a fair amount of greenery, there was, overall, little privacy for the animals. Although

Lincoln Park Zoo Grade Course Recreational Activities
Words: 3531 Length: 12 Document Type: Essay

Lincoln Park Zoo Grade Course Recreational activities can be termed as a necessity for every individual despite his age, social status or society. A man with a 9 to 5 job would certainly prefer a vacation or a short weekend road trip. A housewife who is busy taking care of her children and dealing with the household chores all day long would long for a change. Similarly, children attending schools, tuitions and

Strategic Planning of Singapore Zoo
Words: 3656 Length: 14 Document Type: Essay

Strategic Planning- Tourism Strategic Plan Lewis-Clark Valley Lewis-Clark Valley is the beautiful site of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. The historical background of this valley is rich in cultural stories and its own heritage that dated back in some 18th century. The area has been land of Nez Perce Indians who had travelled to this valley and lived long in the land and rivers. The valley is so named because

Controversy Over Zoos Most People
Words: 2175 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

This issue was put in front of the public with the story of Keiko, a killer whale that was badly abused in a Mexican facility. Eventually, Keiko was moved to a better aquarium in Oregon, but activists insisted that Keiko should be released to live in the wild (Staff writers, 1997). In fact, people have worked for animal rights since the 1860's when the first Society for the Prevention

Watergate the World of Politics
Words: 2780 Length: 7 Document Type: Term Paper

R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Attorney General Richard Kleindienst. In his speech, President Nixon said of the Watergate break-in that he was "appalled... and... shocked to learn that employees of the Re-Election Committee were apparently among those guilty." He then claimed that "there had been an effort to conceal the facts both from the public, from you, and from me." In his speech he said though he had been told

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now