How far can it be argued that wildlife tourism and zoos are the only ways to protect wild animals?

wildlife tourism and zoo
  • Observing animals in conservation areas and zoos can encourage practical concern for their cousins in the wild
  • Tourism can be vital for local economies
  • As last resort zoos can keep populations of wild animals that may disappear in the wild (provided zoo’s have the expertise)
  • Zoos cannot retain the genetic variability of a wild population
  • Threatened species need to attract cash to justify their protection and existence
  • There can be zoos without bars (but this is a weak argument since even with open spaces, a zoo is enclosed)
  • Opportunity for scientific research
  • Questionable when animals are simply kept for the entertainment of the public
  • The assumption of species superiority
  • Animals have consciousness, sentience, and intentionality
  • Their “natural” behaviours have to be recognised and catered for
  • The captive breeding of threatened species
  • Intense viewing of creatures can interrupt feeding patterns and cause stress
  • Captive animals can provide a genetic “lifeboat” for those in the wild
  • Opportunities to adopt an animal