In 2002, zoos participated in 2,230 research and conservation projects in more than 80 countries. Zoos also present an opportunity for scientists to conduct research. The Toledo Zoo, in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy, is helping to restore butterfly habitats in Ohio, and the Bronx Zoo has channeled more than $3 million toward conservation projects in central Africa. This is why you'll often see chimps playing with toys or tigers "hunting" for a meal.Īside from taking care of captive animals, many zoos also contribute to the care of their wild counterparts. Zookeepers now understand that many animals, such as monkeys, bears and elephants, need engaging activities to prevent boredom and mental deterioration. Īnd although zoo animals aren't treated quite like guests at a four-star hotel, their care has improved tremendously. The cub, Leo, now spends his time frolicking and chasing small animals that wander into his enclosure. Both the Baltimore Zoo and the Detroit Zoo have taken in polar bears rescued from a traveling circus, and the Bronx Zoo took in an orphaned snow leopard from Pakistan in 2007. Some zoos also take in abandoned animals that wouldn't otherwise have a home. Though this Asian deer ceased to exist in the wild, Chinese and European zoo programs enabled four of the deer to be released back into the wild in 1985, where they're now self-sustaining. Successful breeding programs brought the Pere David's deer back from extinction. So which is it? Are zoos good or bad? And how do you differentiate between what's good for one animal versus what's good for the entire species? It's a delicate question and one that can't easily be answered. While some people argue that zoos play an important role in conservation and research, others counter that they do more harm than good. Millions of people visit the thousands of zoos around the world, proving that we simply never grow tired of observing wildlife.ĭepending on your point of view, though, zoos are either sanctuaries of education and entertainment or unnecessary prisons. animal exhibitors, like the 265-acre (107-hectare) Bronx Zoo just a subway ride away from Fifth Avenue, must apply for and receive a license from the Department of Agriculture. Nearby, in Germany, is the world's largest animal collection: Zoo Berlin (formerly The Berlin Zoological Gardens) houses more than 15,000 animals from almost 1,700 species. The first modern zoo - the Imperial Menagerie in Vienna, Austria - was established in 1752 and continues to attract visitors to this day.
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