Some zoos do a reasonably good job of giving their animals enough space, others don't. But I think it's almost impossible to give certain animals enough space. How do you honestly give an antelope enough space in a zoo that is entirely contained within a couple of square miles?

I think wildlife preserves are generally a better idea, but of course the drawback to preserves is that you'd never get to see animals that couldn't survive in your particular climate.

Zoos may not be the greatest idea in the world, but that hasn't stopped me from going to them and enjoying them.

  I have been to the San Diego Zoo more times than I can count due to the fact that I have a year long membership there.  Despite what animal activists say, zoos treat their animals with care and help to educate others on the different species that inhabit our world. 

In addition, they teach the general public about wildlife conservation and preservation of rare animals (in other words, they tell you not to buy crap made from animal skins).

Zoos are an improvement over the old-fashioned menagerie, where a number of animals were caged in an un-realistic environment, since zoos attempt to educate through simulating habitat and natural habit. Whether zoos are a help or hindrance to the preservation of endangered species is debatable.

Despite their professed concern for animals, zoos can more accurately be described as collections of interesting specimens than as actual havens or homes.

I havent been to the zoo in forever!

I wonder if we have our priorities in the right place. While we spend millions upon millions of dollars in building safe and comfortable environments for a few animals, feed them, care for them with medication, thousands upon thousands of humans are living in cardboard boxes, with little if any food and no medical care. I wonder.

No we see more animals in natural settings were they are comfortable and not caged up.

Zoos are fine, but if you see a situation where an animal is placed in too small a cage, for instance, RAISE THE ROOF, until the abuse is corrected.

animal parks are good. zoos are bad with very few exceptions

I think wild animals belong in the wilderness where they would really feel at home.

I find zoos depressing. I'd rather see animals in their natural habitat.

I really can't stand zoos. The enclosures are way to small and the poor animals are being stared at and have little kids tapping at the glass on their cages all day. I do however love the San Diego Wild Animal Park. for those of you who haven't been, this place is amazing! All the animals are allowed to run free in this huge basin while a tram will take you on a track above them to look at the animas. No tapping on glass involved. Just looking at animals in as natural a habbit as you will ever find without being in the wild! the wild animal park is a truley amazing place!

Zoos are improving all the time providing more of a natural habitat for the animals. What makes zoos good are that they provide education on animals and how they live and some of the animals are rescued and otherwise wouldnt' be able to survive in the wild for one reason or another. With alot of research we can better aid the animals still in the wild and keep their population thriving.

Im half and half about zoos. Its great seeing wild animals up close but i feel sorry for them being cooped up all day. I'd rather see them running round in the wild but then again they'll probally get hunted or something.

Yeah I like going to zoos. But I feel sorry for the animals. I mean the're stuck in enclosures all day while people stare at them. But like megs21781 said I'd rather see animals in zoos then as a rug or a coat. But personally I like game reserves better. They provide more open land and space for the animals and it feels more natural like you're kind of out in the wild at least the ones in South Africa.

I love going to the zoo, it is one of my favorite things to do. If these animals weren't living in zoos then they would be hunted and killed (not all of them). And it is great for kids to see these animals up close and learn about them and how to conserve resources so we don't destroy their homes. I'd rather see animals in zoos then as a rug or a coat.

Again,I don't like to see animals confined in cages.I think strict laws should be enforced as to their care and treatment.On the other hand,many Zoos take in animals that might not make it on their own and also have preserved some endangered species.Finally,a Zoo can be an educational experience for many children-an environment where they can learn while having fun.It is my hope that proper respect for the animals there will be learned and carried out by the staff and spectators.I prefer the Zoos where the animals are roaming in a large habitat that simulates their own.

I have yet to see a zoo which makes me want to say I am glad my kids got to go to the zoo Every time I have ever gone, I see animals in cramped living quarters, only there for people to look at, as if this is all animals are meant to do. Some are cleaner than others, and this is a good thing but when I smell pine sol so strong, it can't possibly be good for them to breathe in those fumes all day and living in cement floored houses, it makes me sick.

I love going to zoos, but I feel bad that they're locked up in cages and other enclosures. At least most animals in zoos are captive bred and many are so much weaker than their wild counterparts that they can't release the zoo-bred ones into the wild. One good thing about zoos is breeding programs. Recently, the pandas at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., have given birth to a baby boy panda. And, I think the mother is pregnant yet again. Good news for the dwindling panda population, at least!

In this day and age of easy travel, TV wildlife shows and greater access to the internet for information, I doubt these are still necessary. I know that London zoo, for example, is used also for the understanding of wild animals, their health and welfare so perhaps this is one beneficial side of them) Perhaps wildlife parks are a better environment for such studies.

I have not been to the zoo since 1988.

The most compelling argument in favor of zoos that I've seen was in the book Life of Pi. What animals crave most, says the author, is not open space. It is a territory to call their own, and accessible and abundant food. Because a zoo can provide both of these things, the argument goes, zoos (especially the ones that treat their inhabitants humanely) can be positive for both humans and animals.

To my mind, this depends a lot on the quality of the zoo. I've seen some very fine, very well run establishments, often with a research element to their existance. I've also seen a couple of disgraceful animal gulags, driven entirely by maximizing profit.

Zoos have educational and social utility. As long as the animals' quality of life is not seriously degraded, captivity/public exhibit is a reasonable usage.