Should Zoos And Aquariums Be Banned Argumentative Essay

Zoos and aquariums should be banned. Why? They have been proven to be destructive to animals’ health and being in captivity disrupts their normal activities in the wild. For example, “the chlorine and copper sulfate used to keep tanks clean have caused dolphins’ skin to peel off and may cause them to go blind. Many marine mammals suffer from peptic ulcers, often leading to death, because of frustration resulting from their unnatural lives.” 

The animals would thrive more in the wild than in a zoo. In the ocean, there is no chlorine to make the animals sick. Furthermore, “Many marine mammals suffer from peptic ulcers, often leading to death, because of frustration resulting from their unnatural lives.” This is an example of a disease animals can get while being held in captivity. The animals have a higher death rate when they are in a zoo or aquarium. 

Zoos and aquariums harm the animal’s normal lifestyle. According to AnimalFacts.org, zoos and aquariums aren’t giving the animal an exact replica of their habitat. “The main argument against zoos is the belief by some professionals that, even with the best intentions and conditions, a zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. For example, it is extremely difficult for zoos to recreate the natural environment that an elephant is used to living in.” In order to survive, animals need a protected environment.

Yes, the zoo provides this, but it also isn’t what their habitat is supposed to be like. Lastly, “Anti-zoo supporters also argue that by making animals live in artificial surroundings the zoo is messing with natural mating and hunting activities. According to scientists, this can cause something called zoochosis in the animal, which is similar to the human Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).”  This further proves that animals can get psychologically ill because they aren’t able to do what they would’ve done in the wild, such as hunting and natural mating. In conclusion, animals should not be held behind bars and glass and zoos and aquariums must be banned.