Home Categories About
argument top image
Are zoos ethical in the modern age? Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Yes, zoos are bad Yes, zoos are bad
No, zoos are good No, zoos are good
Zoo animals attack people Zoo animals attack people
Zoos remove animals from their environment Zoos remove animals from their environment
Zoos give animals poor health Zoos give animals poor health
Zoos have inadequate living conditions Zoos have inadequate living conditions
Predators born in zoos are likely to die if released Predators born in zoos are likely to die if released
Zoos are created for profit Zoos are created for profit
Zoos are unethical because they are dangerous for animals Zoos are unethical because they are dangerous for animals
Zoos conserve endangered species Zoos conserve endangered species
Zoos educate about exotic animals Zoos educate about exotic animals
Zoos provide research opportunities Zoos provide research opportunities
Zoos provide quick and advanced medical care Zoos provide quick and advanced medical care
Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy
Debate Mini Map

Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
Back to question

Yes, zoos are bad

(1 of 2) Next position >

Zoos are unethical because they are dangerous for animals

Keeping animals in captivity disrespects their intelligence and puts them at risk of abuse. Humans do not have the right to trap animals in enclosures for the benefit of our own entertainment and research needs.
animals ethics zoo
John L. Segal Carl Sagen
< (7 of 7) Next argument >

The Argument

Zoos are immoral and cruel to animals. People should not be allowed to take animals from the wild and keep them in a small enclosure for profit and entertainment. Despite the benefits to education and research, all animals deserve to be free. Animals are intelligent and are able to feel different emotions, so they deserve to be treated with humanity. For example, lawyers argued for an elephant to be treated like a human due to their ability to think complexly.[1] Some zoos have no regard for life, choosing to kill their animals for senseless reasons. For example, the Copenhagen Zoo shot a healthy giraffe because it was not able to breed.[2] Later, they killed four lions to make room for a new male.[3]

Counter arguments

Zoos are more beneficial than harmful. They are able to provide advanced medical care and ensure the safety and wellbeing of each animal. Having exotic animals in captivity allows zoologists to research and understand them better, as well as educating others.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Keeping animals in zoos is unethical. [P2] Animals should be treated humanely. [P3] Animals should be in the wild.

Rejecting the premises

References

  1. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/oct/22/lawyers-argue-happy-the-elephant-should-have-the-same-rights-as-humans
  2. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/09/marius-giraffe-killed-copenhagen-zoo-protests
  3. https://www.cnn.com/2014/03/26/world/europe/copenhagen-zoo-lions/index.html

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Thursday, 11 Jun 2020 at 17:30 UTC

Explore related arguments