Persuasive Essay Written in March

This is the essay I was tasked to write about anything I wanted to, so I chose protecting zoos from getting taken down. Here it is:

Polk Penguin House in Detroit

African Fish Eagle in its natural habitat

Did you know that zoos provide more than just entertainment? Zoos provide scientists with research so they can learn more about species they don’t know as much about. Some people think that zoos treat animals horribly and don’t care about the animals. I believe that zoos should be kept and preserved as animal sanctuaries because they provide care for the animals. I know this because the animals are happy in zoos, endangered animals are protected, and the animals are prevented from boredom.

One reason zoos should be protected is that animals are happy in zoos. Don Moore from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. says that, “Professional zookeepers know their animals as well as people at home know their dogs.” This means that people at zoos know how their animals feel the same way that pet owners know their pets. Zoos try to replicate the animal’s natural habitats and then some. At the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois, chimpanzees can play around and eat the termites in their habitats. According to Steve Feldman, senior vice president of the AZA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, “The animals are well nourished, treated by veterinarians, and protected from predators and parasites. As a result, animals live longer in zoos than in the wild.” This shows animals are protected from all dangers. Clearly, animals are happy in zoos.

Another reason zoos should be kept and preserved is that zoos prevent boredom in animals. Some cheetahs at zoos love to play around with perfume. People who work in the Detroit zoo in Michigan put sticks from the zebra habitat and zebra poop in a box and then put that box in the lion habitat. Boredom is bad and/or dangerous. According to Marc Bekoff, a biologist at the University of Colorado, Boulder, “They can exhibit [repetitive] pacing, self-mutilation, hyperaggressiveness, and loss of appetite.” Obviously, zoos care for their animals and will do anything to make sure that nothing happens to these animals.

Additionally, zoos protect the extinction of endangered animals. Many zoos have breeding programs. Some species saved were the Arabian Oryx, the Przwalski’s Horse, and the Black-Footed Ferret. This shows that zoos have reintroduced endangered species into the wild. At the St. Louis zoo, researchers are trying to reintroduce an endangered salamander into the wild. According to Steve Feldman of the AZA, “If zoos didn’t exist, they’d have to be invented.” Since there are so little tigers in the wild, zoos take care of their tigers. So, zoos will do anything in their power to get animals back into the wild.

Some people think that zoos treat animals horribly. On Christmas Day 2007, a Siberian Tiger named Tatiana attacked three men and killed 1 after jumping over the wall of her enclosure, which was not up to the standard. Later, police shot and killed the tiger. However, those 3 men were taunting Tatiana and were drunk and using drugs. Tigers can’t cope with the smell of alcohol and will be violent towards people who are drinking. So really, these animals only attack when they’re provoked.

As I said before, zoos should be protected and kept because they care for their animals, predator or prey. I know this since animals are happy in zoos, they protect endangered animals, and they prevent boredom in animals. I know you understand that zoos were inhumane to their animals in the past. But I encourage you to stand up for your local zoo.