All Zoos Besides Wildlife Zoo Should be Closed

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All Zoos besides Wildlife Zoo Should Be Closed
Introduction
The growing realization about the rights of animal around the world has instigated a debate that questions the moral status of zoos. According to a wide range of arguments rooted in the contemporary understanding of ethics along with legislations create a strong case in favour of closing all zoos in the world except wildlife Zoo (Munro 317). Wildlife zoo is an exception because it replaces natural habitat of the animals kept over there.
Discussion
The supporters of the survival of zoos usually argue that it is not a wise idea to ban every single zoo because it is one of the established sources of entertainment. They argue that all that is needed is to improve the conditions of zoos which involves ensuring the enforcement of laws to ensure animal conservation and other similar reforms (Bennett 177). These reforms can help sustain zoos as the source of entertainment without containing the elements of exploitation and cruelty against animals.
A group of advocates also refer to a more severe concern while defending the survival of zoos. According to this group of advocates, the ban imposed on all zoos can result in:
* Unemployment of labour associated with zoos (Bennett 177);
* Risking the life of domesticated animals (Bennett 177);
* Depriving children of an enormous source of knowledge about animal life (Bennett 177);
* Detachment from a precious source keeping people close to nature
Based on these issues, the supporters are of the view that zoos should continue to operate so the world may avoid all the ramifications that may result from their closure.
Even though advocatory for zoos hold weight, critical issues inherent to them outweigh the benefits. Firstly, the modern understanding of ethics centres on the idea that animals also have rights. As the argument goes, they also are entitled to live with freedom and do what they prefer in their natural habitat (Munro 317). The conception of the zoo itself contradicts this very basic understanding of ethics.
Indeed, a zoo is more of captivity than an abode for animals provided that congested confines of zoos can hardly substitute the vastness of their natural haven. From this, it is evident that the trade of animals for the exhibition is akin to stealing their freedom and exploiting their ...