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Are zoos ethical in the modern age?
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No, zoos are good

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Zoo animals have a longer life expectancy

Captive animals tend to live longer than their wild counterparts.
Animals Ethics Zoo
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The Argument

Scientists have proved that most wild animals have a longer life expectancy when kept in zoos.[1] Being in a safe environment with access to professional care ensures an animal will live into old age. While in zoos, animals also mature at a slower rate, causing them to live longer. This proves zoos are beneficial and helpful to animal survival. For example, female lions live over 10 years longer in captivity.

Counter arguments

Some animals live longer in the wild than in zoos. For example, elephants live over twice as long when free.[2] Lack of exercise is the biggest cause of death among elephants in zoos. Elephants travel long distances in the wild; when being held in captivity, they cannot get the proper exercise they need.

Premises

[P1] Most animals live longer in captivity. [P2] Zoos increase the lifespans of animals.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] Some animals, like elephants, live longer in the wild.

References

  1. https://www.nature.com/articles/srep36361
  2. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/wild-elephants-live-longer-than-their-zoo-counterparts/
This page was last edited on Monday, 26 Oct 2020 at 13:32 UTC

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