Photo of three baby lion cubs cuddling with each other

These three lion cubs were born at the Lincoln Park Zoo in January.

Jill Dignan/Lincoln Park Zoo (cubs); Shutterstock.com (background)

Do We Need Zoos?

As You Read, Think About: Have you ever visited a zoo? How did seeing the animals make you feel?

Three fuzzy lion cubs roll around in the grass. The brothers playfully paw at each other while their mother gnaws on a bone nearby. Meanwhile, their father keeps watch from atop a massive rock. 

The area might be mistaken for the plains of Africa. But the lions actually live at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois. On the other side of a nearby glass wall, giggling children wave at the cubs while their parents take photos. 

The zoo opened its lion habitat, called the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, in 2021. In addition to green spaces to roam, the area provides shade, shelter, and privacy for the big cats. The center is also home to red pandas, snow leopards, and Canada lynx. Construction took about four years and cost $41 million. 

For decades, zoo animals were often kept in small cages with concrete floors. But in recent years, many zoos have spent millions of dollars to build bigger enclosures that resemble the animals’ natural habitats. 

Despite these changes, critics of zoos still say they’re unethical. They argue that there’s nothing natural about keeping wild animals locked up. 

Three fuzzy lion cubs roll around in the grass. The brothers playfully paw at each other. Their mother gnaws on a bone nearby. Meanwhile, their father keeps watch from atop a massive rock. 

The area might be mistaken for the plains of Africa. But the lions actually live at the Lincoln Park Zoo. That’s in Chicago, Illinois. The lions are behind a glass wall. On the other side are giggling children. They wave at the cubs while their parents take photos. 

The zoo’s lion habitat is called the Pepper Family Wildlife Center. It opened in 2021. The area has green spaces to roam. It also provides shade and shelter. And it gives the big cats some privacy. The center is also home to red pandas, snow leopards, and Canada lynx. Construction took about four years. It cost $41 million. 

For decades, zoo animals were often kept in small cages with concrete floors. But in recent years, many zoos have spent millions of dollars to build bigger enclosures. They resemble the animals’ natural habitats. 

Despite these changes, critics of zoos still say they’re unethical. They argue that there’s nothing natural about keeping wild animals locked up. 

Should animals be kept in zoos?

Zoos in the U.S. get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are 11 years old or younger. For most visitors, going to a zoo is their only chance to see wild animals up close.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see elephants or orangutans or wolves in the wild,” says Craig Hoover. He works for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The organization makes sure that zoos meet high standards of animal care.

Zoos in the U.S. get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are 11 years old or younger. For most visitors, going to a zoo is their only chance to see wild animals up close.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see elephants or orangutans or wolves in the wild,” says Craig Hoover. He works for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The organization makes sure that zoos meet high standards of animal care. 

94% of zoo visitors say zoos teach kids about how we can protect animals and their habitats. 

Source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The best zoos educate visitors about the dangers animals face in the wild, such as habitat loss and illegal hunting. 

“Generating empathy and awareness about endangered species is critical to saving wildlife from extinction,” Hoover says.

In fact, some animals may no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Breeding programs at zoos have helped save the black-footed ferret, California condor, and other species. 

Also, some of the money that zoos get from visitors goes toward protecting animals in the wild. Zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation last year, according to the AZA. 

Source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The best zoos educate visitors about the dangers animals face in the wild. This includes habitat loss and illegal hunting. 

“Generating empathy and awareness about endangered species is critical to saving wildlife from extinction,” Hoover says.

In fact, some animals might no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Breeding programs at zoos have helped save some animal species. They include the black-footed ferret, the California condor, and others. 

Also, some of the money that zoos get from visitors goes toward protecting animals in the wild. Zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation last year, according to the AZA.

Islam Dogru/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Visitors at the Bronx Zoo in New York City come face-to-face with a giraffe.

Critics argue that even the best zoos are meant to entertain the public more than to protect animals. 

“Only a tiny fraction of their work focuses on conservation,” says Liz Cabrera Holtz. She works for an organization called World Animal Protection. “Above all, they’re simply places for people to view animals.”

Even the biggest zoo enclosures don’t provide the same amount of space an animal has in its natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim thousands of miles in a year. But in zoos, they often live in an area about the size of a school gym.

Critics argue that even the best zoos are meant to entertain the public. Protecting animals is not their main goal. 

“Only a tiny fraction of their work focuses on conservation,” says Liz Cabrera Holtz. She works for an organization called World Animal Protection. “Above all, they’re simply places for people to view animals.”

Some zoos have built bigger enclosures. But they aren’t nearly as big as an animal’s natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim thousands of miles in a year. But in zoos, they often live in an area about the size of a school gym.

In response to pressure from the public, about 30 zoos in the U.S. have closed their elephant exhibits since 1991. 

Source: In Defense of Animals

Cabrera Holtz says many animals need more company too. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in large close-knit family groups. But some elephants in zoos are kept in pairs or alone. 

Plus, life in captivity can be difficult for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being lonely, bored, and stressed. That can lead to unnatural behavior. Some tigers in zoos pace back and forth, for instance, and elephants sway from side to side.

Source: In Defense of Animals

Cabrera Holtz says many animals need more company too. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in large close-knit family groups. But some elephants in zoos are kept in pairs or alone.  

Plus, life in captivity can be difficult for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being lonely and bored. Some are even stressed. That can lead to unnatural behavior. For example, some tigers in zoos pace back and forth. And elephants sway from side to side.

Shutterstock.com

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1. In the article’s introduction, why does the author mention the lion habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago?

2. According to the “yes” side of the debate, why might some animals no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos?

3. Summarize the main arguments made by people who are opposed to zoos.

1. In the article’s introduction, why does the author mention the lion habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago?

2. According to the “yes” side of the debate, why might some animals no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos?

3. Summarize the main arguments made by people who are opposed to zoos.

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