Photo of a mother lion and her cub running in an enclosed area

This lion cub was one of three born at the Lincoln Park Zoo last January.

Lincoln Park Zoo

Do We Need Zoos?

January 22, 2024

As You Read, Think About: Have you ever visited a zoo? How did seeing the animals make you feel?

Three fuzzy lion cubs roll around in the grass. Their mother chews on a bone nearby while their father keeps watch from atop a massive rock.

The area might be mistaken for the plains of Africa. But that was the scene last spring at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, Illinois. On the other side of a glass wall, kids waved at the cubs while their parents took photos.

The zoo opened its lion habitat in 2021. In addition to green spaces to roam, the area provides shade, shelter, and privacy for the big cats. The center is also home to red pandas, snow leopards, and Canada lynx. Construction took about four years and cost $41 million.

For decades, zoo animals were often kept in small cages with concrete floors.

But in recent years, many zoos have built bigger enclosures that resemble the animals’ natural habitats.

Despite these changes, critics of zoos still say they’re unethical. They argue that there’s nothing natural about keeping wild animals locked up.

Three fuzzy lion cubs roll around in the grass. Their mother chews on a bone nearby. Their father keeps watch from atop a massive rock.

The area might be mistaken for the plains of Africa. But that was the scene last spring at the Lincoln Park Zoo. That’s in Chicago, Illinois. On the other side of a glass wall, kids waved at the cubs while their parents took photos.

The zoo opened its lion habitat in 2021. It has green spaces to roam. The area also provides shade, shelter, and privacy for the big cats. The center is home to red pandas, snow leopards, and Canada lynx too. Construction took about four years. It cost $41 million.

For decades, zoo animals were often kept in small cages with concrete floors. But in recent years, many zoos have built bigger enclosures. These enclosures resemble the animals’ natural habitats.

Despite these changes, critics of zoos still say they’re unethical. They argue that there’s nothing natural about keeping wild animals locked up.

Should animals be kept in zoos?

Zoos in the U.S. get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are 11 years old or younger. For most, going to a zoo is their only chance to see wild animals up close.

“Most people don’t have the opportunity to see elephants or orangutans or wolves in the wild,” says Craig Hoover. He works for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The group makes sure that zoos meet high standards of animal care.

The best zoos educate visitors about the dangers animals face in the wild, such as habitat loss and illegal hunting. And some animals may no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Breeding programs at zoos have helped save the black-footed ferret, California condor, and other species.

Also, some of the money that zoos get from visitors goes toward protecting animals in the wild. Zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation in 2022, according to the AZA.

Zoos in the U.S. get about 183 million visitors each year. More than half are 11 years old or younger. For most, going to a zoo is their only chance to see wild animals up close.

The best zoos educate visitors about the dangers animals face in the wild. These include habitat loss and illegal hunting. And some animals may no longer exist if it weren’t for zoos. Breeding programs at zoos have helped save the black-footed ferret, California condor, and other species.

Also, some of the money that zoos get from visitors goes toward protecting animals in the wild. Zoos spent more than $252 million on conservation in 2022, according to the AZA.

94% of zoo visitors say zoos teach kids about how we can protect animals and their habitats.

^{Source: Association of Zoos and Aquariums}

Critics argue that even the best zoos are meant to entertain people more than to protect animals.

“Only a tiny fraction of their work focuses on conservation,” says Liz Cabrera Holtz. She works for an organization called World Animal Protection. “Above all, they’re simply places for people to view animals.”

Even the biggest zoo enclosures don’t provide the same amount of space an animal has in its natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim hundreds of miles in a year. But in zoos, they often live in an area about the size of a school gym.

Cabrera Holtz says many animals need more company too. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in large close-knit family groups. But some elephants in zoos are kept in pairs or alone.

Plus, life in captivity can be difficult for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being lonely, bored, and stressed.

Critics argue that even the best zoos are meant to entertain people more than to protect animals.

Even the biggest zoo enclosures aren’t big enough. They don’t provide the same amount of space an animal has in its natural habitat. For example, wild polar bears might walk or swim hundreds of miles in a year. But in zoos, they often live in an area about the size of a school gym.

Cabrera Holtz says many animals need more company too. Take elephants. In the wild, they live in large close-knit family groups. But some elephants in zoos are kept in pairs. Some are even kept alone.

Plus, life in captivity can be difficult for animals. Many zoo animals show signs of being lonely. Many also get bored and stressed.

In response to pressure from the public, about 30 zoos in the U.S. have closed their elephant exhibits since 1991.

^{Source: In Defense of Animals}