AS Debate: Should Zoos be abolished?
Proposition 1
Definition of zoo: a place where animals are kept for purely exhibitive purposes. Purpose of education not met o Too little learning going on Regarded more as a recreational venue rather than an educational one Marketing strategies by zoos place emphasis on consumerism and recreational value Zoo visitors seem to regard animals as mere entertainment Preservation and restoration of endangered species: NOT MET o Animals are deprived of natural instincts Regulated feeding and breeding regimens Zoos cannot release these animals back into the wild as they cannot adapt back to the natural environment Animals are not preserved in their true sense o Shortens lifespan of animals in captivity Limits their freedom of movement Zootosis Psychological, reproductive problems due to confinement In protecting animals, some zoos actually capture them from the wild Shorter lifespan = more difficult to procreate
Opposition 1
Education and entertainment can co-exist o Gives exposure to children what the actual animal looks like.
Erm... basically here, the speaker descended into an argument of animal rights (missing the point/ red herring) Brings revenue to the country, positive economic impact o Brings in alot of money from tourists
Her conclusion is that animals lower rights than humans, hence zoos should be allowed.. (missing the point)
Proposition 2
Rebuts opposition stand that education and entertainment can co-exist
Opposition has acknowledged that animals have rights Revenue brought in are not substantial Zoos are morally wrong o Provocation of animals by humans o Shutting animals in an artificial environment is not right Animals share same emotions as humans Animals receive bad externalities in these environments Zoos have not met the aims of education and preservation o High maintenance costs not justified Funds used on improving external improvements e.g. look of the zoo Funds can be used elsewhere e.g. documentaries to increase awareness o Time spent viewing animals seen to be inordinate and improportionate o Giving exposure to people does not justify the confinement of animals
Opposition 2
Animal rights: o Animals do not have the same perceived rights as human beings Zoos are indeed practising proper standards o Hype by the mass media will ensure that zoos not adhering to proper standards and practising o Public is educated enough to act as a form of policing Zoos bridge the gap between civilisation and nature o Many species to see, humans treasure the diversity of the world o Makes humans more willing to cherish animals Statistics seem to suggest that visitors to the zoos were generally impacted and decided to act on their convictions to improve their relations to animals and the environment. Zoos target city dwellers o Have the money and lack the awareness o Raise this awareness will help more o Hence, justified
Proposition 3
Zoos expose animals to high levels of disease o Human error can lead to widespread epidemics in animals within the zoo bcos of generic feed given to animals o Can spread disease to zoo visitors Small size of gene pool o Much inbreeding occurs, resulting in weakening of the species Zoos do not stifle or constrict the wildlife trade o Seems to point to the fact that zoos are perpetrating the wildlife trade
Opposition 3
Zoos have a passion for conservation o Aim to benefit conservation and provide educative entertainment for the zoo visitors
If the argument is that zoos can potentially mistreat animals, laws can be eacted to prevent this o Abolishing zoos is not justified
Proposition 4
Cruelty to animals o Having mass media as a policing tool may be too late as the animals have already suffered/died. Isolating animals from its natural ecosystem for whatever reason is not justified o Animals are unable to adapt back Zoos may not be more impactful than nature channels like Discovery Zoos are prejudiced in breeding of animals o They only breed those that are perceived to be more welcomed by the public viewing Zoos may kill animals who cannot adapt to the zoo
Opposition 4
Proposition has put forward a flawed argument that people who go to the zoo do not have it as their main objective to see animals Animals are not kept in captivity for fun: o o Animals are kept for their own safety Humans have responsibility to help out the weaker members of the ecosystem Equates to abolition of zoos to releasing animals back into the wild, which would result in the death of these animals
Unfair to label all zoos as bad zoos Zoos should not be abolished, but should be upgraded
Opposition 5
Educational, economic and conservational benefits of the zoos o If regulated well, the zoo can create a sense of awareness
