But do we really need to sacrifice quality of life for safety? What’s the point of living if you’re constantly bored? To me, it’s like someone staying inside their house all the time because of the dangers outside. Yes, you could get hit by a car, yes, you could get mugged, but you take that risk because a life of confinement isn’t a life worth living. Plus, there are a ton of sanctuaries that aren’t struggling to stay open. There would be even more if all the money put into zoos was instead put into sanctuaries.

Think of it though, those sanctuaries that are non profit have a hard time staying open. Zoo’s themselves which actually make money can barely stay open. We humans are destroying these animals habitats and food supply at such a rate that the only place to put them is in sanctuaries and zoos, AWAY from us, but it takes money to run these places and give these animals what they should have. It SUCKS. But, this bear is safe, cared for, fed and will not be hunted. There are pro’s and con’s to every situation, animals in the wild-with what we are doing to the earth. And animals “imprisoned”. No i dont think they are thrilled to be cooped up, i wouldn’t be. But unfortunately some of us have to do something to protect these animals from those humans that would do them harm.

There are plenty of better alternatives to zoos. Sanctuaries, for instance, open up their doors to the public (though they’re non-profits) and all the animals are rescued. Safaris. TV shows and documentaries. Yet we still feel the need to imprison these poor animals. :(

The zoos do educate the public, but I believe there must be another way to get that information to the public without keeping animals in small exhibits. The animals tend to look so depressed and it makes me feel the same way when I think about them having to live in those cages with people bothering them day after day, year after year. Who wouldn’t hate that? Everything you mentioned that zoos do is great, but I really think that it can, and should, be done in another way. I would much rather like to see wildlife preserves than zoos. I see them as being just as beneficial, but better for the overall well-being of the animals.

If it wasn’t for zoos and their worldwide protection of all species, endangered or not, plus the role they play in educating the public in matters of conservation, magnificent animals like this would be in even deeper trouble than they already are.