The question of whether zoos should exist or not is an important one to consider. While I believe there is a place for them, it is essential that their role evolves. We must find a way to connect people to animals in a way that encourages them to care for them while also ensuring that the conditions of the animals are acceptable. The main message from zoos should be to emphasise the importance of protecting animals in their natural habitats.
What is particularly interesting about zoos is how our perception of them has changed over time. For example, when my mother was a child, London Zoo had elephant rides, and when I was a child, they dressed up the chimpanzees and had tea parties - something that would not be accepted today. To hold a zoo license in the UK now requires educating people about biodiversity, having a higher standard of care and being seen as a centre for conservation.
Personally, I find it difficult to see a gorilla in captivity, and as someone who has seen them in the wild, it is heartbreaking to see them locked up. I hope that zoos will increasingly become involved in conservation efforts, particularly in supporting grassroots projects focused on environmental ecosystems.