Captivity can save endangered animals from extinction. And yet, animals’ quality of life in zoos or as pets is often worse than in the wild. Read these texts:

“Zoo Complicated”
“Zoos: Fighting to Save Endangered Species”
“Beastly Blahs”
“Wild Ones”

As you read, consider: Does saving wild animals from extinction justify keeping them in zoos or as pets? Write an essay arguing your position, using evidence from the texts for support.

A zoo is an establishment that displays animals typically for recreation and education. Extensive collections of animals that were maintained in antiquity cannot be considered as zoos. Such ancient collections were not held for exhibition in public parks or maintained for purposes of education and recreation. For example, the Romans kept collections of wild animals for ancient games. After the conquest of Dacia, Emperor Trajan held 123 days of games in celebration, during which thousands of animals were slaughtered, including elephants, lions, rhinoceroses, tigers, giraffes, crocodiles, bulls, hippopotami and stags. Major cities often had arenas and animals in stock for the games. In the fifth century, France had 26 such arenas, and the tradition held on until at least the 8th century. Large animal collections were also kept as a sign of power. The first modern zoos were established in the 18th century in Madrid, Vienna, and Paris. The cities of Berlin and London later founded zoos in the nineteenth century. The first American zoos were established in the 1970s in the cities of Cincinnati and Philadelphia. Today there are hundreds of zoos in the US that are visited by millions of people every year.

Explanation:

she learned to understand that physical beauty wasn’t as important as being a good person.

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