Why One Animal Expert Says 97% of the Zoos Worldwide Should be Considered ‘Substandard’

Many families enjoy an outing to the zoo on a warm summer day. People have been fascinated with exotic animals since ancient Egypt. And although zoos have been delighting visitors for ages, are they really what’s best for the animals? Are zoos ethical?

Today, we have a much better understanding of animals’ emotions and needs than we did when zoos first began. Zoos have come a long way in the past 60-ish years in particular, no doubt as a result of the Animal Welfare Act, which was passed back in 1966.

The Modern Debate on Zoos

Modern zoos began as a collection of animals kept in tiny enclosures by the wealthy elite to show off their money and power. Today, many large zoos are focused on conservation efforts and the humane treatment of animals. But is it ethical to keep animals in captivity simply for our pleasure? Does the good work that some zoos do make it worth it to take an animal far from its natural habitat?

Zoo advocates argue that the conservation work done by zoos and their ability to educate the public far outweigh the negative side of confining wild animals. However, some animal welfare specialists believe the cost is too high. We reached out to animal care professional and animal behavior and welfare specialist, Molly Feldman, for her insight.

A Short History of Zoos

First, let’s take a quick look at how today’s modern zoos began. The world’s first zoo is thought to have started in Hierakonpolis, Egypt, around 3500 BC. These animals likely led short, tortured lives as their remains show evidence of beatings and being tethered.

The oldest zoo still in operation is the Vienna Zoo, which opened in 1752. Zoos at this time were more like living museums with animals kept in tiny enclosures. There were no efforts to replicate an animal’s natural habitat. The goal of these zoos was solely for people’s entertainment.

By the 1970s, an animal welfare movement spurred zoos to create more natural environments for the animals and to consider the animals’ overall health. This leads us to today, where, in the best zoos, efforts are made to mimic an animal’s natural habitat.

Are Zoos Ethical? What do the Experts Think?

You can find experts on both sides of the debate. Zoo advocates argue that many benefits for wildlife come from zoos. Today’s zoos are highly involved in conservation efforts. They also spread awareness among the public of wildlife protection, manage breeding programs for endangered animals, and they can help garner public support for the welfare of animals. However, there is another side to the argument.

A-Z Animals reached out to animal expert Molly Feldman. Feldman works as the Senior Bear Team Manager at Animals Asia, a bear rescue and rehabilitation organization dedicated to improving animal welfare across Asia for all animals.

We asked Feldman via email the big question: Is it ethical to keep animals in zoos? Feldman explains that when we ask this question, we need to consider the well-being of the animals. By doing this, we can reflect on the perspective of an animal’s “subjective experience of life.” Research has shown us that even though positive changes have been made for animals in modern zoos, captivity itself can have negative effects on animals, such as boredom and stress. Additionally, some animal species will never thrive in captivity, regardless of how carefully we make their habitats or how much enrichment zookeepers provide.

It’s Difficult to Recreate an Animal’s Natural Habitat

“There is no getting around the fact that the animals simply do not have the freedom they would have in their natural environment, despite significant improvements in enclosure design and enrichment programs,” Feldman explains. “Complicating this is a slew of research suggesting negative impacts of visitors, a focus on profit at the expense of the animals’ welfare, inadequate care, and limited reach of conservation and education efforts.”

According to Feldman, though some zoos are moving in the right direction, many still house animals in suboptimal conditions with the primary goal being for human entertainment, not what is best for the animal.

What Benefits Do Zoos Provide?

Today, there are numerous conservation programs led by zoos and aquariums for endangered and threatened animals. For example, in 1982, there were only 22 California condors left in the wild. Three years later, the number was down to nine. It looked as though the California condor was headed for extinction. Today, thanks to a captive breeding program conducted by California zoos, there are now over 500 California condors living in the wild.

Zoos often have conservation programs set up around the world as well. For example, the Brookfield Zoo Chicago has teamed up with the Center for Environmental Sustainability at Cayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru, and the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute to create a field program designed to protect Humboldt penguins, cormorants, pelicans, and pinnipeds in South America.

These are only a couple of examples of the many ongoing conservation programs and research work done by zoos. But it’s important to note that these are the top zoos in the world, accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). However, not every zoo is accredited by the AZA. And even among AZA-accredited zoos, some are for-profit.

Among the 253 accredited zoos, aquariums, and related facilities located in 13 different countries:

• 54% are non-profit
• 34% are public
• 11% are for-profit

What to Look for in an Ethical Zoo

We asked Feldman how to tell the difference between a good zoo and a bad zoo. She tells us that before visiting a zoo, we should find out if the zoo is accredited by a reputable organization like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) or the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).

You can also look for the following:

• Conservation efforts by the zoo
• Wild animal rescue and rehabilitation programs
• Educational programs
• Spacious, naturalistic enclosures for the animals. (Feldman explains, “Good zoos will not lock their animals outside and force them to be ‘on display’.”)
• Specialized teams dedicated to animal welfare considerations (doing what’s needed to give the animals the best life possible)

Yet, even despite this, Feldman says, “Ninety-seven percent of the zoos worldwide should be considered substandard.”

How to Spot a Bad Zoo

We have likely all seen animals kept in inhumane conditions, such as a tiger pacing back and forth in a tiny pen or monkeys kept in barren cages with little to no enrichment. Unfortunately, Feldman says that bad zoos are far more common than good zoos.

Some of the red flags to watch out for include:

• Exploited animals (watch out for circus-style shows, animal performances, one-on-one interactions with wild animals)
• Small, sparse enclosures with no enrichment
• Unhealthy and stressed animals (Do the animals have poor fur or skin conditions? Are they obese? Is the animal continuously pacing?)

There are many roadside zoos and animal attractions globally and in the U.S., where animals are kept in small enclosures by people who may not have much education in zoology. The popular Netflix show “Tiger King” gave us an inside look at the sad conditions many of these facilities provide for the animals.

Before you visit a zoo or aquarium, be sure they are accredited. You can also read visitor reviews or news reports to ensure the animals are well cared for. And when you visit, Feldman recommends, “Pay attention to the animals, as their living conditions and behavior will say a lot about the care they are receiving.”

Is It Worth the Cost to Keep Animals in Zoos?

Anyone who loves animals can agree that roadside attractions and unethically run zoos are terrible for the well-being of the animals. Where the debate gets trickier is when we consider accredited zoos that strive to keep their animals in the best conditions possible. Many zoos use funding for conservation efforts, research, and education. They may also be involved in rescue and rehabilitation programs for the animals.

And yet, what does it mean for the animal kept in a zoo? Wolf packs in Minnesota have territories that can range from 7 to 214 square miles. Elephants travel an average of 15 miles per day. No zoo in the world could replicate those habitats. Feldman says, “Zoos in their traditional form are really a thing of the past and should be recognized as such.”

She continues, “I would therefore urge everyone reading this to think twice before going to a zoo and try to thoroughly research the facility first, should you choose to visit. Avoid any experiences that involve the animals doing anything other than simply living their lives with as much autonomy as possible.”

And finally, Feldman offers, “Choose to visit reputable sanctuaries who prioritize animal welfare above profit and entertainment.”