Are the unnatural habitats found in zoos immoral?

Topic:
Morality Debates

17 Contributors
in this discussion.

Yes
35% of users

  • I think that the unnatural habitats in zoos are immoral, because the name "unnatural" alone tells you that it is not as intended how they should live.

    The habitats are very small, and doesn't allow them to roam free as nature intended them to. Their ability to communicate with other members of the species is taken away. They are deprived of natural surroundings and all the creatures that occupy them. Being shut off in a prison, it causes unwanted anxiety for the purpose of making money. The ability to think or decision-making is severely limited due to being stuck in a small enclosure.

    Yes darkscion22

  • I do not believe that placing animals in small insufficient unnatural habitats is moral or humane, because they deserve to live their life as intended by nature.

    Animal are living creatures and deserve to live their life the way they were intended. If polar bears enjoy arctic weather and ice caps, why is it that we think it is ok to crate them in a 70 square foot cage? Polar bears like the cold of the arctic, yet some are forced to live in the middle of the city, in 90 degree weather all summer. That is cruel, and no one should be forced to live in environments so unsuited for what they are intended.

    Yes danielleduce

  • Unnatural zoo habitats are immoral because they harm captive animals.

    Zoo animals depend on human beings to provide for their welfare, and in return provide enjoyment to visitors and profits for the zoo. An unnatural habitat makes the life of a zoo animal unpleasant and unhealthy. It is immoral for a zoo to make a profit from an animal trapped in an unnatural enclosure that causes physical or mental distress. For some animals it's a form of torture...our society agrees that cruelty to animals is immoral, therefore unnatural zoo habitats are immoral.

    Yes C4mmyGrant

  • Despite the conservation efforts of zoos, I do believe that the unnatural habitats found in zoos are immoral.

    Many zoos throughout the United States, are implementing conservation efforts in almost every country in order to preserve the lives of these magnificent animals. While these conservation efforts are being applied, and numerous people are able to learn about the natural habitat and wonders of these animals, zoos will never replicate the proper living environment for these animals. These animals have less space to roam around and are under constant surveillance. I believe that this creates a lot of undue stress and anxiety to the animals. This stress has lead to numerous zoo-keeper massacres which could have been prevented by keeping these wild animals in their habitat. As a result, we have lost several of these wild animals due to their natural and instinctual behavior. We need to keep these magnificent animals in their habitat in order to enjoy them to the fullest extent.

    Yes CortezM

  • I believe zoos are unnatural habitats and therefore immoral.

    I believe zoos do not provide natural habitats for animals, and can be considered immoral. This is because these habitats do not provide the proper freedom for these animals to roam around in. They will always be surrounded by fences, no matter how large the habitat is. This can be considered a from of imprisonment, as they will always be contained. These animals cannot decide for themselves, or at least communicate to us whether or not they would want to be taken from the wild and into a place where people can stare at them.

    Yes Maximus Walton

  • There are some habitats in zoos that are not natural and are unfair to animals.

    Some cages in zoos are way too small for the animals that live inside them. Also the way they are gawked at and treated at times is unnatural and in a way unfair to the animal. When you see a huge animal such as an elephant in a tiny enclosure it makes you feel sad for it because you know that it doesn't have enough space and probably isn't happy.

    Yes B3rkIffy
Voice Your Opinion
No
65% of users

  • Unnatural habitats in zoos are not immoral; those animals are well cared for.

    The only thing animals really care about is survival, because that is what they are genetically programmed to do and really all they are capable of. Zoos are usually nice to animals in this respect, because zoo inhabitants are protected, sheltered, cleaned and fed every day of the year. We humans would be lucky to have all that provided for us by someone else.

    No FlakyHerb64

  • I don't believe that zoo habitats for animals are immoral, because I don't recognize zoos as a moral issue.

    Some consider zoos and their unnatural habitats to be a moral outrage against animals, but I cannot bring myself to feel that way. I recognize that it may be an issue of safety for both people and the animals, but as far as having a moral quandary about it, I don't.

    No BrownDustin82

  • Zoo habitats are not immoral because they are a teaching tool.

    Zoos have always been controversial, however animals in zoos serve a greater good. Zoo animals teach people about animals in a way that seeing a movie or a picture can't. Most modern zoos are designed with the comfort and needs of the animals in mind. Also zoos are instrumental in captive breeding programs.

    No HumdrumMilo83

  • No, because the habitats in zoos are better than the ones in the wild.

    Animals in zoos are better kept than if they were in the wild. Sure, not everything is perfect, and the animals do not have a huge area to roam around. But, the zookeepers do take great care of them. If an animal gets sick in a zoo, it can be cared for, unlike the wild, where it is very likely it will just die from its sickness.

    No R04chGrov

  • Overall the habitats found in zoos are not immoral because they do provide all of the necessary things the animals need for survival.

    Although there are a few things that could be improved upon, overall zoos provide the animals what they need for survival. Most of the animals have never experienced a habitat outside of the zoo, therefore making the smaller conditions much more acceptable. Also, if we would not have zoos then people who can not afford to travel would not be able to see such animals as elephants and monkeys and so on.

    No eyeslikethat

  • No, because the zookeepers try to recreate their natural habitat the best that they can.

    I don't think the habitats seen in zoos are immoral. The zookeepers try to recreate the animal's natural habitat the best way they can. I go to zoos all the time, and usually I see great habitats, with happy animals. The people that go to zoos don't know what their real habitat looks like, so how do they know what the animals are supposed to have?

    No ThiefShna

  • Artificial habitats in zoos are not immoral in the least bit.

    There's a misconception about how animals are treated at zoos. Yes, in some cases there is animal abuse, but those are isolated incidents. Animals live better lives than some humans in zoos. They get food for free, and unlike circus animals, they are not pressured to perform. The conditions for animals in zoos are better than the conditions for some poor people in their homes.

    No RayEar

  • The unnatural habitats are not immoral as long as they are being handled in the appropriate manner so they do not attack.

    Keeping an animal in an unnatural habitat or recreated environment is not immoral as long as the animals are treated in a safe manner. If animals are abused or malnourished while being kept in a zoo, then it is wrong. But if the animal is being treated well and feels safe, it should be allowed for them to live there, for people to see. Most people would never see a wild animal without these zoos. As long as the correct safety measures are in place, these habitats should not be considered immoral.

    No D35General

  • I don't think zoo habitats are unnatural or immoral. In fact, I believe that zoologists strive to make the best habitats possible.

    I believe that most zoo habitats, while not the animals' normal environment, are created to suit the animals' needs. I do not believe keeping animals in these habitats is immoral because most zoos today are trying to provide safe homes for endangered or injured animals. There is nothing immoral about that.

    No VividDel

  • The zoo providers do a good job keeping the animals in their "natural" habitat by producing another environment like the animals in the real world, in the zoo.

    I believe that the unnatural habitat in the zoo is not immoral. This is because the animals are kept in a mimicked area of their real habitat; it is not like the zoos place the tigers in with the penguins in cold air and whatnot. The zoo itself is immoral because the animals teach everyone about the different environments and also the types of different animals all over the world.

    No N34rIyGaIv

  • Although Zoos may be unnatural habitats for animals, there is nothing immoral about zoos as long as they are humanely treated.

    Although zoos are unnatural habitats for animals to live in, there is nothing immoral about putting them in a zoo. Animals were created for man's enjoyment and housing some of them in zoos allows for the opportunity for people to enjoy the brilliance of God's creation. The key is to provide humane treatment to the animals.

    No TasticBran
Voice Your Opinion

Related Debates

Debate Topics

 
 
Are the unnatural habitats found in zoos immoral?
Top of Page
© 2010 Juggle, LLC
All Rights Reserved
Encyclopedia & Reference Resource