TL;DR Zoos are important for wildlife conservation

I understand the argument that some zoos endorse keeping animals in captivity just for our viewing pleasure, and this is very unethical. Animals do not deserve to be kept away from their natural environment just because we are curious about them.

However, if we closed all zoos, then that would also mean the enclosure of the ones which contribute to the conservation and the prevention of extinction of some of the most endangered species.

Chester Zoo, one of the country’s leading animal conservation programs, [hope to preserve 150 species and reverse the endangerment of 200 populations of species by 2031] (https://www.chesterzoo.org/what-we-do/our-strategy/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6-SDBhCMARIsAGbI7UhUogQP6oX7XsP2es-QUR4gJR4PbTgQdIQ4Jj5yd7IimxMywc7AFfoaAi69EALw_wcB).

Furthermore, through their conservation scheme, Chester Zoo has [worked alongside a number of other zoos and the Kenyan Wildlife Service to reverse the decline of the black rhino] (https://www.chesterzoo.org/what-we-do/our-projects/a-one-plan-approach-to-securing-a-future-for-the-black-rhino/), which was previously an endangered species before intervention.

If we close all zoos, then the progress and hard work of these organizations will not be able to continue, and extinction rates will rise.

TL;DR: Zoos are a form of neocolonialism

Zoos should be closed as they are founded upon colonial principles. The first modern zoos, set up in 18th century Europe, were used as a way to teach imperial citizens about the places that their Empire had colonised. They exhibited people alongside animals and plants, to emphasise their “savagery” and justify their domination.

Whilst zoos no longer exhibit human beings and Empire has dissolved, zoos still inspire a colonial mindset. As visitors come to gaze at animals, no longer behind bars but placed in enclosures decorated as their natural habitats, they imagine wild and faraway lands. Upon viewing a wild animal in a decorated enclosure, we dream of exploring unpeopled territories – just like the colonialists that came before us. We project our own ideas of “the exotic” onto the animal and its fake surrounding, and in this enact a kind of colonial fantasy. The public zoo, often unintentionally, allows and inspires this outdated colonial mindset, and therefore contributes to neocolonialism.

TL;DR - Zoos should only close if they do not provide a good quality of life for the animals

• On British day-time television, there is a show called “The Secret Life of A Zoo” and it shows the day-to-day workings of Chester zoo. As Lydiamae mentioned, at Chester zoo their aim is to help endangered species, look after them and give the animals a great quality of life. Why would we then close these zoos if they are providing an almost veterinary service?

• When many climates are now uninhabitable due to climate change or are full of poachers and hunters, [zoos provide a safe space for animals to thrive] (https://www.zsl.org/blogs/zsl-london-zoo/the-importance-of-zoos). Why would we then rid of a safe space for animals that also adds as a great educational tool for children and adults?

• However, we all remember the show Tiger King, right? When Joe Exotic sold, bred and kept tigers in an unsafe and dangerous facility, it triggered activists from organisations such as [PETA] (https://www.peta.org.uk) to step in. In these cases I can understand zoos, if we can even call them that, being shut down and closed for good. These zoos are not there for protection or conservation but are purely an economic diver, this surely can’t be okay.

• Personally, I believe zoos are a great space to conserve species and also often help to reintroduce them back into the wild. This allows not only people to learn more about these animals and even see them, but also provides a sanctuary for which animals can thrive.

While there are some awful zoo's out there, and that should still very much be acknowledged.

Zoos as a whole CAN (when done right) do so much good for everyone involved, the animal itself that lives in the zoo, the people who visit the zoo, and the population of that animal in the wild.

A good zoo should contribute to educating its visitors to each animal, why the animal is so important to the ecosystem, general important information about the animal, and ways people can help these animals thrive in nature. There are lots of people who know surprisingly little about wild animals, and zoos can be a great way to help spark passion in people to do more for wildlife conservation. Zoo's can also help educate people on what to do if they come across said wild animal out in nature, and to highlight the danger to both human and animal that attempting to interact, feed, or pet a wild animal causes.

Zoos that specialize in repopulation programs also are wonderful. Since they can help species rebound from endangerment preventing extinction, since they give the babies a MUCH better chance of survival than when in the wild.

Zoos are also great for when an animal is brought into a wildlife rehabilitation organization and, due to it's injuries, may be unable to be released back into the wild. Sending the animal to the zoo, prevents having to euthanize the animal, while also providing a way to educate people about the animal, and the things we as people can do to help prevent further cases like the one the animal is in.

Again this isn't to say there are no bad zoos, there are too many zoos which value profits over animal welfare, education, and the ecosystem. Being to a zoo where it's clear the visitor is valued over the animal is always a depressing and infuriating experience. Zoos not providing enough space, enrichment or a proper habitat only does harm to the animal and the people.

Zoos should be places of education, and as a hub to directly contribute to wildlife conservation and protection. They aren't always for that, but that doesn't mean all zoos should all be done away with. Just that we need more laws regulating zoos and the treatment of animals to help ensure the best quality of life for the animals, accurate and up to date information for visitors, and a total end goal of wildlife conservation and protection rather than profits.

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