Zoos should be banned

REFUTATIONS"The definition of a zoo is "Any place where animals are kept and displayed to the public." In no place does this mention cruelty." Likewise, a farm is defined as "a park-like area in which live animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition".[1] In no place does this mention the castration of boars without anaesthesia or the complete restriction of sow movement "to prevent the sow from crushing a piglet to death, because of the lack of space".[2] Definitions rarely equate to their physical counterparts in reality. Zoos are no exception."Most modern zoos are primarily for conservation and conservation research. This shows a definite upward trend and I feel that this shows that Zoos are improving." Unfortunately, this is simply an unsupported premise leading to a speculatory conclusion along with personal opinion and thus holds no value.ARGUMENTS1. suffering occursRegardless of intention, animal suffering occurs in zoos by virtue of the animals being in a synthetic habitat. Ignoring for a moment the malnutrition, exploitation for illegal gains, and hosts of other problems frequently occuring in zoos, one realizes the implications of having to create habitats for wild animals. Birds are prevented from flying by having their wings clipped and caged in aviaries. Animals whose natural habitats are prairies and plains are confined to unnaturally small spaces in cages and behind bars. This results in psychological distress and abnormal or self-destructive behaviour.[3]Animal conservation, and consequently, protection, is the primary objective of zoos, as pro stated. The fact that the complete opposite occurs globally in zoos indicates the effectiveness of zoological parks are sub-optimal at best.2. miseducationDespite pro having not addressed this point as an argument, I will take it upon myself to rebut it regardless.A common defense for the necessity of zoos is that they educate the populous about animals and their behaviours vis-à-vis school trips, tours, etc. However, by simply existing, zoos are in fact accomplishing the complete opposite and miseducating the public on animals just as much, if not more, than they are educating it. Not a single animal found in captivity will behave as they would in the wild. Animals in captivity and their genetic predispositions and instincts to hunt are tamed and dulled (to an extent). This simple fact is conveying tremendous amounts of misinformation to adults, not to mention the impressionable minds of children. A possible result of this miseducation is a person encountering an animal in the wild that has been subconsciously labelled as tame and non-violent by zoological parks, which may then lead to severe injury or death.The observation of animals in captivity will never be the optimal method of education and instruction pertaining to wild animals.A second, more subtle form of miseducation is that children are subconsciously taught it is perfectly acceptable to capture and use animals for human pleasure while unbeknownst to them the fact that the proprietors of zoos (in general) are attempting to protect the animals.3. alterationAs mentioned above, animals who are genetically predisposed to hunting are tamed when held in captivity and delivered food on a scheduled basis. One could argue that not only are not conserving those animals, we are destroying them through domestication and the alteration of their very nature.Let us consider a future where tigers in the wild are non-existent. The only tigers left on Earth are in captivity around the world. Let us then visualize a world where human progress has harmonized with nature and tigers can live safely in the wild, undisturbed by humanity's influence. The tigers that would be released into this wild would be tame and unable or unwilling to hunt for food as they have been drilled into expectation of sustenance and have lost their instinct. This would be a cruel and ultimately immoral act on the part of humanity.4. efforts could be directed elsewhereThe reason zoos are created by humans for animal conversation is due to human activity. Poaching/hunting laws and consequently, law enforcement would help solve the problem before a problem ever existed. 5. moral inequalityHumans are part of the animal kingdom. If zoos are meant to conserve animal life and protect them from humans, why do we not cage, feed, and publicly display the humans who cannot protect themselves from other humans?Because it is morally wrong, and by that vein, wild animals should also not be held in captivity.___________Sources1. http://dictionary.reference.com...2. http://www.animalfreedom.org...3. http://www.idebate.org...