Visiting zoos is a common activity for families and school trips. Going to a zoo can allow you to learn about animals and wildlife. It also offers chances to see animals that otherwise you wouldn’t have ever seen in person.

Regardless of this, the ethicality of zoos has been questioned for years. Questions arise on whether animals are treated right, or if they should even be kept in captivity at all.

In some situations, I do think it is appropriate for animals to be in zoos. Zoos are sometimes used as sanctuaries for sick or dying animals that would die on their own in the wild. Rehabilitation and release sanctuaries have also been set up.

“I’m an animal person and I like zoos. I also like watching documentaries on healing sick animals and helping them live better lives,” said senior Sanai Mondie.

Documentaries of these zoos that heal and release or heal and protect, are a large attraction. Some zoos help to protect dying species and rebuild the population of animals that are going extinct.

I do think these zoos are ethical and beneficial for not only the ecosystem but also the population and survival of many species of animals. But zoos that are confining animals without sufficient resources are a different topic entirely.

“I love seeing animals, but it makes me sad that they are locked up, and they don’t have a lot of space,” said sophomore Alayna Johnson.

These zoos catch and confine wild animals to be shown off. Some of these zoos do not offer the right amount of space, food, or resources for these animals to thrive.

Animals roam freely in the wild, walking and running miles of land daily. In zoos this freedom is taken. Some zoos provide enough space for animals to roam and live freely, but in some, animals are kept in small cages where they have no where to roam or live their lives as the wild animals they are.

They are robbed not only of their land but sometimes the right resources they need to survive, including water, food, interaction with other animals, and even entertainment.

Ethicality depends on the zoo. Helping animals and protecting species is a great thing for many reasons, but confining animals and depriving them of necessary resources in order to fill human pockets is entirely wrong.