The Stripes Will Survive Analysis

One of the most fun, visually amazing functions to visit are zoo's. Growing up as a kid going to the zoo was so much fun and basically guaranteed a great day out. People have been complaining and questioning the role of zoo's for a long time now. Some claim that it actually kills the animals off faster. Others claim that zoo's actually help protect and preserve the lives of these animals. Only one can make a reasonable argument by studying sources, and finding out statistics. Based off of the articles, "The Stripes Will Survive", "The Zoos Go Wild", and "Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment", we can truly get in-depth analysis about the role zoo's play.

As the animal rights movement has developed and grown substantially in recent years, there has been an increased focused on the welfare of captive animals. A popular institution that has received much attention for keeping animals captive is the zoo. Because of this focus, zoos have responded by publicizing their positive benefits for existence in order to justify keeping these animals on display. Since the term “zoo” can have a wide variety of meaning and characteristics, it is important to define what constitutes a zoo in this essay. Zoos are defined as a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and

She claims that while zoos are not necessary for education, the “educative message delivered by zoos is, at best, distorted and, at worst, damaging to the cause that the zoos purport to champion—that is; the conservation of species.” Because she does not consider the educational opportunities and programs that zoos and zoological parks can offer, so her opinion on these establishments is unfavorable. However, by offering a wide variety of programs and opportunities, zoos create a unique experience for their visitors. If the animals are under proper care, there is no reason for society to believe that zoos are “cruel and

There have been many discussions about the welfare of animals since the first zoos were created. Some people agree that animals should be kept in zoo’s, they argue that it benefits the animals because their every need is catered to. However, in some zoo’s they are treated the exact opposite of being catered to. Sometimes the animals are also deprived of a natural environment that the zoo’s fail to recreate. However, zoo’s can be helpful educationally to kids. It gives them a close up on the beauty of the animals, but it comes at the animals expense.

2. Outline: Briefly outline your essay. MAke sure you provide evidence from the text to support your claim.

Many zoo animals are not provided with the sufficient care and attention. There have been various reports of abuse and neglection toward the animals. In some cases people were able to capture videos of these terrible actions, and were able to use them as evidence to show the authorities and audience who are not aware of these atrocious events occurring. In the article,Undercover Investigations Reveal Abuse of Tiger Cubs at Roadside Zoos, the author revealed the different ways the owners of a roadside zoo would abuse the tiger cubs.For example,”At Tiger Safari,Maximus , a white tiger cub was dragged, choked, tossed and suspended by his legs and tail ”(Amini). This quote from the article describes to the reader in

People think that animals want to be in zoos, but they really do not. In some zoos the owners or zookeepers see how the environment is making the animals feel bad or good and they try to change it by giving the animals a similar habitat to where they came from. All three stories “The Stripes Will Survive”, “The Zoos Go Wild”, and “Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment” deal with protecting animals but they all do so in different ways.

Zoos may seem fun to visit and exciting to see the animals; but what you don’t see is the suffering and depression that lies in these helpless creatures. There are many arguments whether or not zoos are good or bad, and if they should be removed or kept. Several think that zoos should be abolished or at least very much improved, due to animal cruelty. While, others want zoos to stay because it is beneficial for the animals and people. I strongly believe that zoos aren’t good for both the public and animals for numerous reasons.

Throughout modern history, parents have often taken their children to the zoo or circus to go see wild animals that they might not otherwise see in person. This practice is viewed as an innocent and exciting way to teach little ones about the animal kingdom. However, the child is introduced to the idea that animals, no matter how large or deadly, are for the entertainment of humans and should be treated as such. Zoos are only one example of how humans are practically in direct control of the fate of wild animals. Even in the wild, animals are left to the mercy of humans due to our insatiable desire to carry on expanding as Jon Mooallem illustrates in his magazine article, “What’s a Monkey to Do in Tampa?”. According to, Mark Prigg for

Zoos have changed and found a balance between being an attraction and conservation park. Some people think zoos should protect animals to the best of their ability. For example, some zoos have upgraded animals’ living spaces so that they feel comfortable. Overall, the role of zoos is to protect animals by providing them with their basic needs, making sure they have a suitable place to live, and to save them from extinction!

Being placed in a zoo can dramatically help endangered animals receive the care that they need which may not be accessible in the wild. In William Dudley’s Animal Rights, author John Ironmonger was quoted as saying, “Certainly, zoo animals do tend to live longer lives, to feed better, and to suffer from fewer parasites or diseases. They live without fear of predation; they live without famine” (72-73). His quote supports the argument that endangered animals are provided for in captivity. In the wild, animals under threat of extinction fear starvation, poachers, disease, and predators. Placing these animals in zoos can give them rehabilitation and a perseverance of their lives. Another author, Kevin Hile, supports the claim that endangered animals are preserved in zoos by discussing the evolution of zoos. When zoos first started, they were merely used to bring in revenue. Now, zoos play a role in helping save endangered animals from extinction (Hile 133). Zoos

There was some strange stirring, heard throughout the zoo; the animals were used to it as the magnificently ornate gates slid away. The human stampede towered in, destruction with every step, gaping and point at the creatures, as if they weren’t right there in front of them. The animals found themselves filled with no such joy as another tiresome day started. Snot-filled children, obnoxious adults, screaming babies; the humans were all the same, just going through different, vexing stages. They never even spared the animals a little privacy, something as simple as eating held under scrutinizing gazes. The animals hated it, though no matter the shame it brought upon them admitting it, they thrived on it as well. The attention made them feel wanted, and though redundant, the wide-eyed wonder of the

Thesis: All zoos should be overhauled and replaced with free-range territories or back into the wild to help these animals avoid the detrimental effects that zoo’s cause on their health and to stop teaching people that is okay to imprison these animals.

The article “Wild Animals Are Meant to Be Wild” by Mary Hopkins is about claims that zoo is wrong and gives an example of Maggie the elephant. Maggie lived in the zoo because outside is freezing. But, the elephant could not do miles on the treadmill for elephant. Even though zoos are the best conditions, zoos cannot be wild. The cages of the animals became stronger, but the management of the animals became poor.

The sun was shining, the sky was spotted with clouds, and the wind was whistling as it passed through the trees. Overall, it was the perfect day to visit the zoo. Smiling, happy children bounded beside me as I walked underneath the large, blue and yellow sign announcing “The Colorado Zoo.” As I walked onto the sidewalk, I looked out over the “habitats.” The big, colorful signs advertising the exotic animals “brought from all over the world!” Animals that were taken from their home, taken from their habitats, and taken to a world where they are put on display. Animals who are forced to live out their lives in zoos in unhealthy, degrading, and devastating ways.