Discussion on:

In Buenos Aires, debate rages over aging zoo

As a vegan and animal rights advocate I often hear the drone of chiding comments regarding the very existence of zoological parks. And I understand the rhetoric and in general am in favor of the overall objective. However, my perspective and experience is colored by my long history, during my formative years, with the San Diego Zoo, where I spent many days communing with the animals in the 1950's and 60's developing my love and understanding of animals and the environment. Granted the San Diego Zoo is a hard act to follow. And unfortunately perhaps the majority of worldwide zoo's, including those miserable roadside attractions, have little in common with what a modern, ecologically aware, and animal friendly zoological society has to offer both humans and the other animals who are trapped in their environments.

For the most part I have mixed feelings about zoos in general. However, I learned to develop my love for animals while strolling the walkways of a well managed zoo at an early age which has led to my advocacy for the rights of animals in my later age. With this in mind, I do not blindly follow the chorus to close any and all zoos for the rights of animals. Zoos can provide a valuable environment for both the safety and viability of many animals with the side benefit of education for the humans who have a curiosity about "exotic" animals in general. It does however, require a major commitment from people who understand and respect the rights of animals, and to fulfill their obligation to treat the animals as equals. Where this happens, the zoos have a positive impact for all concerned. But unfortunately such organizations are difficult to come by.

Zoological parks do have a role to play in our society. There are good examples and there are bad examples, and everything in between. Parks that focus on the quality of life of the animals for which they care, which provide valuable educational experiences for people, and are economically viable to operate; these represent the best example of a positive experience in the zoological realm. Harmful environments for animals must be avoided at all costs, and where such environments exist, it is our obligation as compassionate humans to mitigate the harm for the benefit of the animals. Closing down bad zoos is a moral imperative.

If the principals at the Buenos Aires Zoo are serious about protecting the rights of the animals within their park, and will formulate an environment that fosters the enrichment of the animals under their care, then I am in favor of this effort. It sounds like this is the approach being examined. If the better course of action is to free the animals in some manner that will lead to a superior life existence for them, then I would be more in favor of that alternative. The bottom line is, given the current situation, what is the best way to protect the rights and lives of the animals at this facility. That is the question for the people of Argentina.

As society is more urbanized it is essential that children be brought up with a broad sense of the worlds diversity. Modern zoos with large open air animal enclosures offer people a vanishing glimpse of the real world.

Crowded, cramped and inhumane zoos need to be upgraded and or replaced with displays that give people a better sense of nature. It is all part of preserving and sharing the worlds beauty. Properly operated zoos have helped bring some species back from the brink of extinction.

Someone with more time on their hands or a deeper informed knowledge can fill in the details, but I know there are some African species that have more animals living on US game preserves and zoos than exist in the wild. While sad that forces destroy these animals in the wild, it is a reality that zoos can be our arks to save animals from oblivion.

It all comes down to how well the animals are treated. As designed and opened this Victorian style zoo was state of the art. Today it needs a lot of work or replacement to be a proper zoo.

!.With this world deforestation,in zoo will be the only place we will see animals in the future.2.Can stop having animals out of the environment and have animals which belongs to Argentina it self,I have a small animal garden and the people enjoi looking at the turtles and the land turtles and the iguanas and the rabbits.

They kept some of the cool old Victorian buildings (As I remember the Gorilla exhibit of my childhood is now an educational office. Hmmm) and expanded into the existing park, but also expanded to areas outside the city and they do species restoration. The educational importance of a zoo cannot be overemphasised (especially in American where various idiots refuse to believe in science). You cannot stress the value of animals for teaching enough (I do think the health and happiness of the animals must be considered, but those leopards in the zoo (and the cart covered with contraband leopard pelt items) have probably saved the lives of more leopards in the wild than many a magazine article.