Zoos have long been the summer destination of family vacations and fun-filled field trips during the school year, and for good reason. Not only do they educate youth on animals and their conservation, over the years, they’ve become the homes of hundreds of animals, many of whom wouldn’t survive without human intervention.
It’s easy to look online and jump to conclusions that animals are abused based on a short video clip of their lives. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. In reality, zoos in the U.S. are under strict scrutiny and work hard to protect their animals.
Beginning in the 20th century, zoos have shifted from their original roles as exotic exhibitions to rehabilitation and research centers, according to “Zoos’ involvement in wildlife conservation,” a research paper published on EBSCO. While zoos were originally created with the intent to be a source of entertainment, many zoos are now focused on wildlife conservation and finding ways to maintain their zoos ethically.
Nowadays, there are many different organizations that hold zoos accountable, including the USDA. In fact, a USDA license is required if a zoo or other agency wishes to exhibit warm-blooded animals. According to the USDA website, a license can only be obtained if the agency complies with the Animal Welfare Act, holding all zoos and parks to a measurable standard and minimizing the corruption and abuse of animals.
Additionally, an international organization, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), focuses on the conservation and protection of threatened species and has its own recognized accreditation process. According to their website, there are over 253 accredited zoos and aquariums protecting over 780,000 animals and over 8,600 species.
An AZA accreditation is the gold standard all zoos should and do strive for. In order to be accredited, zoos must meet AZA’s “standards for animal welfare, care, and management,” and AZA “also evaluates the veterinary program, involvement in conservation and research, education programs, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services,” and so much more, their website states.
Zoos are not punishment for animals; if anything, they provide animals with happier and healthier lives than they would have had in the wild. Zoos “offer threatened and endangered animals an environment safe from poachers and developers,” and have even helped protect the survival of entire species through their breeding programs, “How Zoos Embrace Education, Research and Conservation” states.
A famous case that highlights zoos’ conservation efforts is the case of the California Condor, which in the 1990s was facing extinction. Through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and zoos across California, including our very own Oakland Zoo, the California Condor has since flourished in the wild.
There is a common misconception that animals in zoos were captured from the wild and displayed solely for our enjoyment. But in reality, the vast majority of animals in zoos were born in captivity through breeding programs. Since 1985, 90% of mammals and 74% of birds that have been added to zoos in the U.S. were born in captivity, “Zoos’ involvement in wildlife conservation” states. According to the article, “How Zoos Embrace Education, Research and Conservation,” over 100 species have “recovered due to zoo programs that provide captive breeding.”
Zoos are a place of education, not just for scientists trying to help species in the wild, but also for future generations. Introducing the public to animals brings about awareness for the issues directly affecting their wild counterparts, thus encouraging everyday people to also become involved in conservation efforts.
Zoos may have a painful history, but they have since adapted to become the foundation for countless conservation efforts protecting all animals.
