Expert: Lee Meyer - 10/7/2009

Question
why do we need to have so many different zoos to hold animals why cant it be a law 2 zoos per state then animals can have freedom to breed with the animals that they want to breed with not what animals the zoo people want them to breed with

Answer
Hi Danielle,

I will address the different parts of your note below.

"Why so many zoos?"

What do you think the purpose of zoos are?  What negative ideas do you have about zoos to believe that there are "too many"?  What facts (not feelings or opinions) do you base your statement on, that we have too many zoos?

"Why not a law for 2 zoos per state?"

How did you come up with 2 zoos per state as being the right, or ideal, number for each state?  What do you base this number on?  Have you determined the negative impacts to the states that have a lot more zoos than 2, what would happen to those animals, the people working there, the economic impact to these local and state economies, the loss of many people to come to a zoo and learn about animals?  Further have you considered the additional burden to states that do not have two zoos, that such a law might force them to build a second zoo (or two zoos) if they currently do not have two zoos?  Why are you opposed to allowing states to determine what number of zoos they believe is right for their own state and citizens?

The whole breeding issue you raise:

Simply put, zoos are not pet stores and they are also not wildlife refuges.  They have limited space and limited ability to care for a certain number of animals.  They actually do breed animals in the zoo when it's in the best interest of the animals to breed them.  Generally they will breed a female to keep her healthy, as they know that pregnancy (at least once) is good for most female animals to prevent certain kinds of cancers from occurring.

I think you have an idealized belief of how wonderful things are for animals in the wild.  I also think you have a misconception of how animals are treated in a zoo environment based on your questions and statements.  

Let me give you an example.  Wild rabbits in the wildreness live on average, 2-3 years.  During this short time they constantly deal with harsh weather conditions, parasites, infections, diseases, and anytime they are out and about have to be 100% on guard for all kinds of predators that will kill them.  Nobody takes them to the vet when they are ill or injured, they wind up dying.  Contrast this with a domesticated indoor house rabbit, that is given normal, proper care and feeding, will live about 10-12 years, in much better safety and live mostly parasite and disease free.  They live in an environment that is much, much less stressful than a wild rabbit does.  They will have positive interaction with people, eat cleaner food and water, and be much more likely to be given vet care when health problems arise.  They don't have to worry about all kinds of predators coming after them, they don't have to worry about getting run over by cars while roaming and running around inside.  Terrible life, huh?

If you think animals in the wild live better than "in captivity" or "in my house" you haven't watched enough Wild Kingdom or National Geographic shows.  It is a hard life.  The purpose of the zoos are to educate people about various kinds of animals, not to try to take as many animals out of the wild and put them in cages.  They don't have the money or space to do it.  People learn about animals they wouldn't otherwise see, at the zoo.  Many people have decided to become involved with animals, one way or the other, from experiences they've had at zoos.  To becoming veterinarians, or animal trainers, or caretakers, or people involved with rescue groups, wildlife rehab groups.

The bottom line is this: Animals can still be animals in a zoo.  Let's not even get into poachers that wild animals have to worry about.  Unlimited freedom, nobody has that.  People don't have that.  You can't just go anywhere you want.  Try to get into certain places you aren't allowed, you'll be arrested.  Try leaving the country without a passport.  Try going into buildings you aren't allowed in, or houses that aren't yours.  You don't have unlimited freedom to roam anywhere you want either.  Try building a house in a farmers' field because you like the view.  See how far that gets.

Finally if you think being in the wild is superior, try living in the wilderness without any modern conveniences for one week - just the clothes on your back.  See if your viewpoint is the same after that.