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You can help us keep wild animals where they belong-in the wild. Animals torn from their natural habitats to entertain us in aquariums, zoos or circuses are silently suffering in captivity. But progress is being made thanks to our efforts along with your support.

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The Future of Zoos: Challenges Force Zoos to Change in Big Ways

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New discoveries about the emotional lives of animals are raising difficult questions about keeping wild things in captivity

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Proponents of zoos point to the fact that they educate the general public, are beneficial for scientific research, and work toward conservation efforts and captive breeding. At the San Francisco Zoo, there are educational programs for children ages 1-17. From camps, to mobile programs that bring smaller animals to schools, to family activities that look at local wildlife near the zoo, the public is able to get hands-on education about animals they may not be able to meet and learn about otherwise. The Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek, California, offers similar experiences to connect locals with wildlife and educate people on how they can do small things to help benefit wildlife in urban areas. Zoos can also be beneficial for scientific research. Studies are sometimes better able to be completed in zoos because of the controlled environment of a zoo. Lastly, zoos help endangered populations by using captive breeding and release. The AZA's Species Survival Plan Program is a long-term plan that incorporates conservation breeding, preservation of habitat, education and research to support the survival of threatened and endangered species. Many zoos also work on local conservation efforts to maintain local wildlife populations.

On the other hand, many would say that wild animals should not be held in captivity. It has been argued that captive breeding isn't always effective, zoos do not provide natural habitats, and that zoos put unnecessary stress on animals. Some studies have shown that reintroduced animals have high mortality rates because they are poorly adapted and lack the skills needed to survive in the wild. Since an animal's well-being is dependent on their environment, some contend that zoos do not provide healthy habitats for animals. Enclosures--even when designed to mimic an animal's natural habitat--are still not really natural. And, zoos can't really provide the space that large or wide-ranging animals, like elephants, are used to. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress . Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. In done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Some of these behaviors included rocking back and forth, tearing out their hair, self-mutilation, and the drinking of their urine. This behavior is not seen in their wild counterparts suggesting that being in the zoo is causing these chimps to develop mental illness due to stress.

What do you think? Should animals be kept in zoos? Why or why not?

More Resources

Video: DNews
The Pros & Cons of Zoos
Hear about some of the benefits zoos and some of negative effects that they have on animals.

Horizon: Should We Close Our Zoos?
This clip briefly examines the history of zoos, and questions experts and professionals about keeping animals in small enclosures.

Audio: WNYC
A Passionate Call to Leave Animals Alone and Zoos Behind
Not everyone enjoys their visit to the zoo. Hear why Tim Zimmerman believes we should reconsider our arguments for keeping zoos open. He offers an alternative to traditional zoos that can make both animals and human visitors happy.

Article: The Washington Post
At Zoos, Not Every Resident is a Spring Chicken
From protecting elderly animals to preserving endangered species, read more about the benefits of holding animals in captivity.

Find best practices for using Do Now, using Twitter for teaching, and using other digital tools.

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Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education

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Proponents of zoos point to the fact that they educate the general public, are beneficial for scientific research, and work toward conservation efforts and captive breeding. At the San Francisco Zoo, there are educational programs for children ages 1-17.

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This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

The N.C. Zoo is one of only two state-operated zoos in the country. While more than 60 percent of its operating budget comes from the state, all of its conservation, research and education programs - and even the animals exhibited at the park - are purchased with private funds raised by the North Carolina Zoological Society.

Karen Brown with the Zoo Society says the "Adopt an Animal" program features a list of animals that can be "adopted" for a year.

Those who "adopt" an animal get a certificate, a photo of the animal and a fact sheet about the species.

Funds raised through the program benefit the Zoo's Animal Enrichment Program, which allows the Zoo to pay for additional training for zookeepers as well as purchase treats for the animals.

Some of the most popular animals for "adoption" are the African elephant, the polar bear, the zebra, the giraffe and the chimpanzee.

For more information about "adopting" zoo animals, visit nczoo.com or call the Zoo Society at (336) 879-7250.

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NC Zoo's 'adoption' program benefits animals, zookeeper training

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The N.C. Zoo is one of only two state-operated zoos in the country. While more than 60 percent of its operating budget comes from the state, all of its conservation, research and education programs - and even the animals exhibited at the park - are purchased with private funds raised by the North Carolina Zoological [...]

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8 Ways to Tell a REAL Sanctuary From a Roadside Zoo | PETA Kids

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Roadside zoo or animal sanctuary? This list will explain the difference—so you can figure out if a place is hurting or helping animals.

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Cetaceans can travel up to 100 miles daily, feeding and socializing with other members of their pods. Pods can contain hundreds of individuals with complex social bonds and hierarchies.

Cetaceans are housed in small enclosures, unable to swim in a straight line for long or dive deeply.

Sometimes they are housed alone without opportunities for socialization, or they are forced to live with incompatible animals and even species with whom they would not naturally have close contact.

Most small cetaceans are naturally active, playful and have complex social structures.

When tasked with entertaining tourists all day, with nowhere to escape, cetaceans often become bored, frustrated and aggressive.

Cetaceans spend approximately 80-90% of their time underwater. They have the freedom to make their own choices.

Cetaceans spend approximately 80% of their time at the surface, looking for food and attention from their trainers, who make their choices for them.

Cetaceans eat a variety of fish and invertebrates; some species eat other marine mammals.

Orcas and other dolphins work in groups, utilizing complex strategies to locate and secure their prey. Some whale species dive thousands of feet in search of food.

Cetaceans are fed a limited variety of dead fish, often as positive reinforcement during training, with no opportunities to utilize their sophisticated hunting techniques. They require vitamins to supplement their diet, as nutritional value is lost when fish are frozen.

Many cetacean species live in complex societies with their own cultures and dialects, maintaining close ties with family and friends. Some remain in family groups for life.

Many cetaceans have been violently captured from the wild, with no hope of ever being reunited with their families. Once in captivity, the animals are withheld forever from the wild gene pool. Captive-born animals are often forcibly weaned and shipped away from their mothers and the only companions they have ever known to other facilities.

Cetaceans live in a world of sound-they rely on their hearing as we do on our sight.

Echolocation is their main sensory system and they use sound to find mates, migrate, communicate, forage, nurse, care for young, and escape predators.

Cetaceans must listen to filtration systems, pumps, music, fireworks, and people clapping and yelling every day.

Their concrete and/or glass enclosures also reflect sounds, so a poorly designed enclosure can make artificial noises worse. Echolocation is rarely used, as a tank offers no novelties or challenges to explore.

Cetaceans are surrounded by other sea life and are an integral part of marine ecosystems.

They have evolved for millions of years in the oceans, and in most cases, they are the top predators.

Cetaceans are in artificial environments that are sterile or lack stimulation. Tank water must be treated or filtered or both to avoid health problems for the animals, although they may still suffer from bacterial and fungal infections that can be deadly. Other species, such as fish, invertebrates, and sea vegetation, cannot survive these treatments, so display tanks are as empty as hotel swimming pools.

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In The Wild In Captivity Cetaceans can travel up to 100 miles daily, feeding and socializing with other members of their pods. Pods can contain hundreds of individuals with complex social bonds and hierarchies. Cetaceans are housed in small enclosures, unable to swim in a straight line for long or dive deeply.

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As an advocate for conservation and a self-proclaimed animal lover, people are sometimes surprised to learn that I don't oppose zoos.

To many animal rights champions, zoos are depressing, concrete prisons-and unfortunately, many zoos are. For example, a video of Hangzhou Safari Park recently resurfaced for all the wrong reasons; it shows keepers beating tigers for refusing to 'perform'. The astounding lack of compassion highlights just how awful zoos can be. Animals are seen as objects used for profit, rather than as living creatures who deserve dignity and care.

Despite the fact that some zoos serve as a dreadful reminder of the darker parts of human nature, they can also be used as forces for good. Many provide funding and resources for conservation projects, ensuring the future of endangered species. Populations of animals bred in captivity secure the long-term survival of wild populations, with release schemes used to supplement or establish wild populations. In addition, zoos provide helpful insights into the behaviour and biology of animals, and this information can aid conservation efforts in the wild. The infographic below (taken from the AZA - Associations of Aquariums and Zoos - website) demonstrate the growing efforts of groups like the AZA in species conservation.

Zoos have the power to instil a love of wildlife and conservation in a whole range of people, regardless of their background. There is something very special about being able to see these majestic creatures in the flesh, and I firmly believe that my passion for wildlife stems partially from my visits to zoos as a child. In addition, many zoos are beginning to use conservation as a point of focus; posters next to the enclosures describe the threats animals are facing, the efforts being made to save them, and what we can do to help. This shines a spotlight on the growing issues facing wild animal populations, and could help to inspire a whole generation of conservationists.

We cannot let zoos become the museums of the future; establishments used to house relics of animals, long since extinct in the wild. Imagine this: people would marvel at the amazing diversity of animals on display, breath-taken by their beauty and majesty, in disbelief that previous generations let them die out. Beloved animals like giraffes, pandas and cheetahs would live out their days in enclosures, unaware that they are the last of the kind. Being able to see wild animals in their natural habitat would be come a luxury of the past, long since impossible following our destruction of species across the globe. We cannot let this prediction become reality.

By supporting reputable zoos, you support nature. In an ideal world, no animal would live in captivity. They would thrive in abundance in their natural habitats, unthreatened by human devastation. Unfortunately, that is not the nature of our society. Our ecosystems require our support in order to secure their long-term success; we must repay them for the damage we have caused.

How to Support Ethical Zoos

If you want to visit a zoo, make sure that the animals have the highest level of welfare possible. There are a few easy ways to do this:

Does the AZA approve of the zoo? This can be a good indicator of high animal welfare. However, try to use my other suggestions in combination with checking the zoo's AZA approval status

What do the reviews say? Sites like TripAdvisor are great for this because you can filter reviews for a particular word. Search for "welfare" and see what people are saying

What sort of animals does the zoo keep? Many animals can live fairly fulfilled lives in captivity, while others should remain in the wild. For example, if you're in a hot city and the local zoo has polar bears, avoid it at all costs. Similarly, animals with an expansive natural range (whales, for example) are bound to suffer within a zoo's confines.

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Are Zoos a Demonstration of Human Cruelty or Ingenious Conservation?

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As an advocate for conservation and a self-proclaimed animal lover, people are sometimes surprised that I don't oppose zoos. To many animal rights champions, zoos are depressing, concrete prisons - and unfortunately, many zoos are. However, that isn't always the case.

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64% say zoos shouldn`t be allowed, the other 36% say they should.

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It's a parental rite of passage -- bring the kids to the local zoo so they can experience wildlife first hand. The numbers are big. 175 million Americans make a trip to a zoo or aquarium every year.

But as we all know now, something went horribly wrong at the Cincinnati Zoo on Saturday, when a three year old somehow got into the gorilla exhibit. After Harambe, the 400lbs. male gorilla, started manhandling the boy, authorities shot the gorilla.

That action set off a number of debates. Was the zoo safe, should the gorilla have been tranquilized, was the mother to blame? Now another bigger question is taking center stage. Should we even have zoos to begin with?

To their credit many zoos have developed "immersive exhibits," to try and give the animals and the spectators a more realistic experience. But despite these upgrades, many critics think that the whole concept of wild animals kept in captivity for the enjoyment of human animals should be scrubbed.

For the pros and cons, John Linehan of Zoo New England (@ZooNewEngland), the organization that runs Franklin Park and the Stone Zoo, and Azzedine Downes (@AzzedineTDownes) , the president of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (@action4ifaw) , based in Yarmouth weigh in on the issue.

Linehan finds that zoos are more relevant today than they have ever been before. At a time where concerns for the environment are growing, a number of people can learn the importance of various animals by having the experience of seeing them at the zoo. He worked with young people who were compelled to get more involved with learning about chimps through trips to Uganda, and participating in the climate talks in Paris.

Downes emphasizes that most of the zoos around the world are not good zoos. Having a good zoo is the key to making sure that animals are kept in a healthy environment. In order to have a good sense of conservation, zoos need proper funding. Most zoos lack the financial resources to support conservation. The concept of having conservation for the sake of maintaining a population of certain kind of animal is no longer popular, but instead of eliminating zoos altogether, there should be just a few (good ones).

According Downes, zoos have come a long way from feeding elephants peanuts. (Franklin Park Zoo in Boston was the first zoo he visited as a child.) A great way for zoos to continue to bring people close to animals would be to integrate more technologies into the experience, including virtual reality.

Linehan finds that very few people have the opportunity to travel the world and see exotic animals in the wild.

"...the reality is that this world and what they've (animals) got left is ever shrinking, and human pressure on these animals are decimating populations."-John Linehan

Linehan adds that zoo animals are not domesticated. They could not be domesticated, and they teach that to visitors at the zoo. Through visiting the zoo people are taught to respect the nature of the animal in its existing habitat.

Downes uses the Asian elephant as an example. The Asian elephant, whether placed in zoos or used in religious rituals, is tamed. No matter how they are being used, they are still wild and dangerous animals. Although in a zoo environment with dozens of human spectators watching them, good zoos try to enhance the environmental experience of the animal to avoid stress and discomfort.

"We have a very interactive program. Where everyday new things are introduced to these animals to challenge them, to give them fun, to get them to exhibit natural behaviors...to ensure they don't get bored everyday," Linehan said. His zookeepers also keep calendars of how the animals are reacting and what they do.

Ideally, if half the world was reserved for animals, zoos wouldn't be needed. Until then, the goal is to increase the amount of good zoos.

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It's a parental rite of passage -- bring the kids to the local zoo so they can experience wildlife first hand. The numbers are big. 175 million Americans make a trip to a zoo or aquarium every year.

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Should Zoos Exist? | Above the Noise | PBS LearningMedia

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Zoos are great places to learn more about exotic animals. Zoos also study and protect endangered species. But, captive animals can develop signs of distress, leading some critics to question whether zoos are really as fun as they seem. In your opinion, should zoos exist?

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Zoos are great, right? You get to be up close and personal with some amazing animals that you'd pretty much never get to see in the wild. Clearly, zoos are a win for people. But when it comes to the animals, zoos might cause more harm than good. Should zoos exist?

TEACHERS: Guide your students to practice civil discourse about current topics and get practice writing CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) responses. Explore lesson supports.

How did zoos become a thing?
Humans have been capturing and displaying exotic animals for thousands of years. The earliest known collections date back to 3500 BCE in Egypt, where rulers kept hippos, elephants, baboons, and different species of large cats. Now back then, that didn't mean that your average Egyptian could go check any of that awesomeness out. These early zoos were really just a way for kings to flex on other kings. Modern zoos, where the public can come and watch animals exhibiting their natural behavior, didn't really become a thing until the early 1800s. The longest continuously operating zoo in the world is the Vienna Zoo, which has been going strong for more than 260 years.

What are the arguments in favor of having zoos?
Zoos may be great entertainment, but their big goal is to educate the public about wildlife and what we can do to protect them. Zoo animals are sort of like ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. Zoos also contribute to scientific research. "Zoo" is short for zoological park, and zoology is the scientific study of animal biology and behavior. In addition, zoos work really hard to save animals that are threatened in the wild. Zoos can take at-risk animals, breed them in captivity, and then reintroduce them back into the wild.

What are the arguments for NOT having zoos?
Zoos have their problems. Not all zoos are created equal. Some are clean and well staffed, others aren't. There are some in the richest cities in the world, and there are some in conflict zones. What this means is that not all zoos have the resources to properly care for the animals they house. And for many critics, no amount of education or research justifies keeping animals captive. That captivity can be REALLY bad for both physical AND psychological health. And while zoos have been really helpful is saving endangered animals, it doesn't work out for certain species. For example, most large carnivores like lions and tigers that are bred in captivity die when released into the wild. It turns out that they haven't developed the natural behaviors they need when they're out on their own and have to fend for themselves.

SOURCES:
Do we need zoos? (The Atlantic)
https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2016/06/harambe-zoo/485084/

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Are Zoos Good or Bad for Animals? | KQED

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Zoos are great, right? You get to be up close and personal with some amazing animals that you'd pretty much never get to see in the wild. Clearly, zoos are a win for people. But when it comes to the animals, zoos might cause more harm than good. Should zoos exist?

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Happy, an Asian elephant, lives at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) says the zoo doesn't provide the space and socialization that Happy needs. The NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court. Its case will be heard in 2022.

The case has restarted conversations about whether or not zoos should still exist. Some say zoos save species from extinction and teach people about conservation. Others argue that living in captivity is bad for an animal's mental and physical health. Here, TIME for Kids readers weigh in.

KELLI NICOLE PHOTOGRAPHY
Grace Hipp, 8 Nashville, Tennessee
Many animal species are saved from extinction thanks to zoos. This past summer, I saw the California condor at the San Diego Zoo and learned about the breeding program there. Several decades ago, these vultures were almost wiped out in the wild. But the zoo has taken some of them in and helped them breed. Now there are many more California condors.

COURTESY WINKI WARRENSON
Yanni Warrenson, 12 San Francisco, California
We should not have zoos. In zoos, animals might not be given proper living conditions. They might also be mistreated for entertainment purposes. Animals can feel stressed by cage restraint, an unfamiliar environment, and the presence of humans. A 2003 study of 35 species of carnivores found that zoo enclosures were too small for some of the animals to carry out their normal routines.

LIFETOUCH PHOTOGRAPHY
Shane Madrak, 10 Foster City, California
We should still have zoos for a few reasons. Zoos provide animals with food and a habitat that is made to resemble their natural habitat. Zoos also breed animals to increase their population. And most zoos have educational programs that help children learn about different animals and conservation efforts.

COURTESY ANNSLEY SLAWSKY
Susie Slawsky, 9 Pelham, New York
Animals are kept away from their homes, where they have lots of space to roam, and put in fenced areas or cages. If it's a crowded day at the zoo, some animals might get overwhelmed. When they're in zoos, they can also lose their natural instincts. If they were released into the wild, they wouldn't know how to survive. An animal's health is more important than our entertainment.

The Next Debate! Should the government set screen-time limits? Email your opinion to tfkeditors@time.com by January 6, 2021 for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue.

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Happy, an Asian elephant, lives at the Bronx Zoo, in New York City. But the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) says the zoo doesn't provide the space and socialization that Happy needs. The NhRP is taking the Bronx Zoo to court....

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/ CBS News

WASHINGTON - The National Zoo has a reputation as a leader in animal care, science and cute photo opportunities such as the naming of Bao Bao the baby panda earlier this month.

But a CBS News investigation has learned that behind the scenes, there are insider allegations of mismanagement involving animal care. Five sources with more than 35 years' combined experience at the National Zoo have raised concerns to CBS News about recent animal injuries, deaths and escapes.

The sources don't want to be identified for fear of retaliation. They say problems began last year when the zoo decided to double the population of the Cheetah Conservation Station, adding a half dozen new species but no extra space. Besides cheetahs, the CCS also houses zebras, gazelles and other species.

CBS News asked animal biologist and ethicist Marc Bekoff to look at the complaints. He was an independent reviewer of a 2005 National Academy of Sciences investigation of the zoo that found "systemic problems at the highest levels."

Of the newly raised issues, Bekoff said: "I call it 'fetch and pray.' You get the animals and then you pray that the project will work out."

The CCS' new animal mix didn't always work out. Issues identified by the zoo sources include two newly acquired hornbill birds that were kept in an indoor shack for seven months because their exhibit yard wasn't ready. Only after a volunteer complained were the birds allowed in an outdoor space. But the wallaby that had to share its yard with these new arrivals became frightened, according to sources, bloodied its nose and spent much of its time frightened and hiding.

One of two new red river hogs quickly became malnourished and died of an infection. The other hog, along with oryxes and sitatungas (two types of antelopes), sometimes became overly aggressive when mixed together, and some were injured in vicious fights.

It's not unusual for animals to spar, but the zoo sources say management failed to predict easily foreseeable conflicts between species and genders, and had ineffective backup plans for separating and protecting the animals when the conflicts arose.

"It's no surprise to me as a field biologist that so many of them do not work out," Bekoff told CBS News. "They're just too hastily put together and they're not well thought through."

Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson says the National Zoo meets the highest industry standards and the animals always receive the best care.

"We take great care in introducing our animals to these various habitats and transitioning them. Ideally, these things wouldn't happen, of course," said Baker-Masson. "I think my colleagues were very well aware and they know these species and they know how to take care of these species. ... Every single animal has a very specific course of action and a plan."

Bekoff says the zoo's plans appear to have been inadequate. "They should only be able to get the animals when it can be shown that they can properly house them and care for them."

Two animals in the CCS, a Dama gazelle and a pregnant kudu (another type of antelope), died when they got spooked on separate occasions and ran into barriers in their confined spaces, breaking their necks.

The gazelle death happened last month after a zebra attacked a veteran zookeeper. The commotion apparently frightened the gazelle, which is on the endangered species list. Zoo sources say it wasn't found for hours. The pregnant kudu died last June. Zoo sources say as the animal lay suffering with a broken neck, workers were unable to quickly locate necessary veterinary records.

Baker-Masson says Dama gazelles and kudus are skittish animals by nature and were housed in adequate spaces that met the requirements of the American Zoological Association, which recently re-accredited the facility.

As for the hornbill birds that were keep indoors for eight months, Baker-Masson says the space was "more than adequate and it gave the staff a very good amount of time to prepare and work with the hornbills" but "ideally they would have [had] access to their outdoor yard space more quickly."

Bekoff calls the lengthy indoor confinement "totally unacceptable."

"There's not one single excuse that I would accept," he said. "Basically this is a form of animal abuse and animal neglect. ...They get an 'F' in this project.'

Zoo sources also expressed concern about two escapes from the CCS: a vulture whose wings were allegedly not properly clipped and a red panda who managed to climb out of its exhibit. Both animals were later recaptured and zoo officials say the failures that allowed the escapes have been fixed.

CBS News has learned that the zoo convened a task force last summer to investigate the internal complaints about animal care at the CCS. The task force made findings last August and Baker-Masson says some of its recommendations are already being implemented.

Zoo officials refused CBS News' repeated requests to release the task force report even though, under public records law, it's considered public material.

As to why the National Zoo is withholding the information, Baker-Masson provided a number of rationales. First, she said that the task force report was still only a draft, four months after it was scheduled to be completed. However, when CBS News asked for the draft, she would not provide that either.

Later, in an interview, Baker-Masson said that the task force report is finished, but that the zoo isn't ready to release it.

"We're more than happy to [release the task force report]," Baker-Masson told CBS News. "But we have to do it in a thorough and process-oriented way that makes sense."

She acknowledged that some of the concerns investigated were founded.

"Absolutely," Baker-Masson said. "Anytime a concern is raised, it's looked at very seriously and we have to examine, you know, what changes are appropriate for that particular species, what changes are appropriate for the staff, what changes are appropriate for the facility itself. So yes, absolutely, some changes have been made."

Another incident the zoo is keeping mum about is the November zebra attack on the zookeeper. Baker-Masson says that AZA standards require that there always be a barrier between a keeper and zebras, which can inflict serious bite wounds. But the zoo says three weeks after the attack, it still has not identified how the zebra got to the keeper and it would not release the incident report or other public information about it. The injured zookeeper was recently released after several weeks in the hospital.

Trending News

Sharyl Attkisson

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Are there animal care problems at National Zoo?

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CBS News WASHINGTON - The National Zoo has a reputation as a leader in animal care, science and cute photo opportunities such as the naming of Bao Bao the baby panda earlier this month. But a CBS News investigation has learned that behind the scenes, there are insider allegations of mismanagement involving animal care.

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Animal Enrichment & Training

Animal training and enrichment go hand-in-hand here at the Saint Louis Zoo. Both have to do with an animal's behavior and how they act and react to different situations.

With animal enrichment, keepers create environments that provide a stimulating life for our animals, with opportunities to engage in natural behavior, be more active and have more control over their environment. Enrichment helps satisfy both the physical and psychological needs of animals and allows them to make choices.

Enriching an animal's environment comes in many forms, including altering the physical environment, modifying animal care, creating social groupings and increasing sensory stimulation. You may have seen our bears playing with boomer balls and our apes playing with plastic crates. These are examples of adding "furniture" for an animal to play with. Other examples of animals enrichment include:

Providing live and artificial plants for shade and barriers

Creating vertical dimensions using trees, ropes or rock work to increase and enhance living space

Using puzzle feeders that offer a challenging and time-consuming method of obtaining food

Housing a variety of compatible animals from the same habitat together

Applying scents (spices, perfumes, food, dung) around a habitat

Simulating or using real prey items in predator habitats to encourage stalk-and-chase behaviors

Animal training is another form of enrichment as well as an animal management technique.

The animals at the Saint Louis Zoo are trained through positive reinforcement. Through training animals voluntarily participate in doctors' visits, allow general housekeeping in their area and work with keepers while getting a pedicure or shower. Achieving these tasks through trained behaviors requires a devoted trainer, a well-prepared plan and a motivated "student." The motivation (or the reinforcement) can be food such as produce, bread or browse, or it can be tactile, such as brushing or scratching. Many animals are also motivated by the mental exercise and special attention during training sessions.

Training allows keepers and veterinarians to do their jobs more safely and easily. It also allows animals to receive the best care possible through their own willing involvement in the process. While training is often used to perform husbandry tasks, it is also enriching for the animals. It provides a challenge for them and offers them the opportunity to earn a reward that they find worthwhile. Training is rapidly becoming a vital tool in animal care.

Support Animal Enrichment

Guests can view the Zoo's animal enrichment "wish list" to learn more about what they can give to help animals at the Zoo.

Explore the list on Amazon or click below to view the PDF.

Animal Enrichment Wish List PDF

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The Saint Louis Zoo is dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16,000 animals, many of which are endangered, entry is free every day for everyone, an important part of our commitment to people and animals - always.

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Learn more about the Association for Zoos and Aquariums’ members, educational programs, and conservation efforts, as well as the kinds of facilities we support.

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Newsela is an Instructional Content Platform that supercharges reading engagement and learning in every subject.

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These photos of unexpected animal friendships will melt your heart.

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Have you ever been to a zoo? There are lots of zoos. Some take better care of animals than others, but no zoo can make animals feel like they are at home.

Some people think it's OK to keep animals in zoos; others say that it's wrong to take animals from their homes in the wild.
A zoo supporter might say

"The zoo is a great place to learn about animals."

"If kids don't see animals up close like they do at the zoo, they won't like them, appreciate them or want to help them."

"Zoos help animals make babies (called "breeding") so they won't become extinct."

"Zoos take good care of animals. When animals get hurt or sick, an animal doctor called a vet makes them better straight away. In the wild, sick animals would die."

"Animals are safe in zoos. They won't starve or be killed by other animals."

A person who thinks it's not fair to keep animals in zoos might say

"Zoos don't teach us much about animals because the animals there don't act the way they would in the forest, jungle or ocean, where they belong. We can learn more about animals by reading books or watching wildlife programmes on TV."

"Zoos that help animals breed just keep the babies or sell them. If they cared about stopping animals from becoming extinct, they would set the babies free in the wild."

"Animals are not happy in zoos. They want to be free to walk, run, fly, climb, hunt and have families. They don't want their babies to be taken away from them and put in a different cage or sold to a different zoo. They get angry and frustrated because they cannot leave the zoo, which makes them do strange things like pace up and down, lick the bars of their cages, rock back and forth and bob their heads. Scientists know that these things mean that the animals are very unhappy."

"When a zoo doesn't want an animal anymore, the animal gets killed or sold to another zoo and might have to travel far away in a lorry or aeroplane."

Talk About: Topics to Chat About!
1. Would you rather live in a zoo or in your home with your family? Why?
2. What kinds of things do animals need to be happy? Do you think animals in zoos get all these things? Why or why not?
3. Think about animals you've seen at the zoo. Do you think there is somewhere else they would rather be? Something else they would rather be doing? Why or why not?

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Have you ever been to a zoo? There are lots of zoos. Some take better care of animals than others, but no zoo can make animals feel like they are at home. Some people think it's OK to keep animals in zoos; others say that it's wrong to take animals from their homes in the [...]

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Back to Animals

A zoo can be an awesome place to see animals first hand and learn about what they eat, their habits, environment, and all sorts of other interesting facts about animals. Another name for a zoo is zoological garden.

Today zoos are becoming better and better places for animals. In the past some zoos were somewhat cruel to animals. Placing animals in environments they were not suited for and often not keeping the animal's best interest in mind. However, today many zoos do wonderful work in animal research and take great care of their animals.

Photo by Ducksters

Some good things that many Zoos do today include:

Acting as sanctuaries for endangered animals. They provide a safe environment for animals that are being threatened by changes in the environment. Often zoos will work to breed and maintain endangered animal populations. Sometime animals are nearly extinct in the wild and the only place they survive is in zoos.

Education on wildlife. Zoos provide a great opportunity for us to learn more about creatures from distant lands.

Research on wildlife and how we can help animals survive radical changes. Zoos do veterinary medicine research as well.

Today's modern zoos house animals in enclosures that are similar to the animal's natural habitat. This can include buildings made for nocturnal animals where they are bright at night, so the animals can sleep, and dark during the day, so zoo visitors can see the animals moving about. Also, climates are controlled in some zoo enclosures for animals like penguins and polar bears. Many zoos have great open spaces as well where animals may graze together. Some zoos have an area where you can take a mini-safari or ride around in a truck or bus to hopefully see the animals up close.

Perhaps the most famous zoo is the San Diego Zoo in Southern California. Many modern zoo practices were pioneered at the San Diego Zoo. The largest zoo in number of animals is the Bronx Zoo with over 6000 animals. The largest zoo in land size is the North Carolina Zoo with 535 acres.

Photo by Ducksters

Seeing an elephant, giraffe, lion, polar bear, penguins, seals, or other incredible creatures at the zoo can be an amazing experience. Be sure to check out your local zoo and get the opportunity to see some awesome animals and learn more about nature.

Another great place to see animals, similar to a zoo, is at an aquarium. Most states have an aquarium where they display all sorts of fish and some sea mammals.More on endangered species:
Amphibians in Danger
Endangered Animals
How Animals Become Extinct
Wildlife Conservation
Zoos

Back to Animals

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Learn about the zoo. History and types of zoological gardens. List of Zoos with interesting animals.