Can the role of Zoos in education justify their existence?
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- published 23 June 2013 | modified 15 July 2024
Is there any justification for keeping animals, living beings, in strict captivity? A question that creates debate right at the moment of posing it. Many people have strong feelings against keeping animals in captivity, and would like to ban the concept of “Zoos”. Others don't give it any attention as long as they are entertained when visiting the Zoo.
The mission of well-respected Zoos, those accredited as members of the global zoological association (WAZA) and/or regional associations such as EAZA, AZA and ZAA, officially addresses conservation, research, education and recreation. The first two with regard to ecosystems and (endangered) animal species, and the latter two aiming at the Zoos' visitors.
Since recreation means for the average visitor that he wants to have a good time when visiting the Zoo, this is a caveat that Zoos have to deal with. To get the message across about the peril situation of Planet Earth, the need for better protection of ecosystems and saving endangered species, together with better understanding of these ecosystems and species, education is the perfect instrument of course.
For children the recreational part (entertainment) can support the more serious aspects of the Zoos' mission. In other...
