Toronto Zoo Research Paper

The City Zoo is a private non-profitable, volunteer and professional service organization, started in 1905 when “Samantha Fresaer donated a hedgehog to the city park” when it was run by the City itself, until the year 1982 the ownership has been transferred to the Zoological Society. Ever since the City Zoological Society took over the leadership the local economy increased and the zoo made almost 8% in local economy for each tax dollar it

Black-footed ferrets are finally making a comeback! Almost thirty years, organizations have been helping the black-footed ferrets regain status. You will be learning about the amazing black-footed ferrets, the objectives of the Endangered Species Act, strategies to help the ferrets, threats of the ferrets, who is helping them, and how they are helping the ferrets.

"Zoos have improved a lot in the last 4,000 years. These days, most zoos create friendlier environments for animals. ... Now, however, they get their animals through captive breeding programs and other zoos." This is an understandable concern, however, but this is not the case. Animals are not meant to be kept in captivity for human entertainment, animals are meant to be wild, the artificial surroundings in zoos an cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

This requires sturdy materials and extensive planning. Zoo staff, zookeepers, tour guides, curators and exhibit organizers etc... essential for running and maintaining happy guests of both the animal and humanoid persuasion. Imagine going to the zoo and not peering through fence slots or windows to see confined wildlife, but instead being immersed in a seemingly untouched and wild habitat. Architect Bjarke Ingels runs the architectural firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and is currently trying to design a revolutionary Zoo for the Givskud Zoo and Safari Park in Denmark.Ingels recently spoke with National Public Radio about the project, telling reporter Arun Rath that his ultimate goal and greatest challenge is to make a zoo that can create a "successful cohabitation between humans and different species of animals." This cageless Zoo concept would give park goers the capability of sharing experiences with the animals, almost as if they were on a Safari.

Zoos present a certain blend of nature and culture. They have always provided a way to bring natural wildlife and urban Americans together as a means of entertainment. Yet, throughout the years the role of zoos have changed. Though once used for amusement, zoos are now being used for education on preservation and the welfare of endangered species. One may wonder where and how the idea of zoos started and just how they, and the environment around them, have changed throughout history.

The Black-Footed Ferret is an endangered species. If you have seen one of these on a trip to the zoo, there is a chance that the little board that tells you what it is said that, “Black-Footed Ferrets are an endangered species. You will learn what they look like, what they eat, and where they live. Black-Footed Ferrets have a special appearance, their diet and habitat is special, and they have some interesting facts.

A good example of a successful captive breeding program is the Black-Footed Ferrets at the Phoenix zoo. After a few years on the extinct list a dog brought home a black-footed ferret in 1981. The Fish and Wildlife Service investigated, finding a small population and decided to start a breeding

On opening day the zoo boasted a whopping 843 animals in 22 exhibits. The zoo borders the south side of the New York Botanical Garden. The land on which the zoo was built was bought from

“Before the early twentieth century, zoos would separate humans from the animals by using a series of moats. In the early 1900s, however, zoos “began displaying animals in realistic exhibits that mimicked actual habitats” (Gioielli, 2016, p. 1). Coupled with the more natural habitat is advancing care for the animals in captivity. More hospitals are being built for animals and better medicine is being created constantly. As a result of healthier and happier animals in increased popularity of animals in captivity. According to Carey (2016), “More than 10,000 zoos are now in operation worldwide . . . the central missions of zoos [are] not only to serve as attractions for recreation and amusement, but also to educate people and promote conservation . . .” (p. 2). Most people do not go to see animals in captivity for the sole purpose of entertainment, they also go to learn about the animals themselves. Both children and adults can learn about how to help protect endangered animals and their habitats. As a result, zoos and aquariums are continually gaining popularity. According to Gazert (2017), “Zoos and aquariums draw 181 million visitors per year in the United States--that’s over half the country’s population, and more visitors than the annual attendance of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB games combined” (p. 2). Unfortunately, some zoos and aquariums have been known to abuse their animals. While this is not true of all zoos, but the reports of abuse have increased leading to more controversy. Because of this the idea of keeping animals in captive is harder to accept. Still, the sad truth is that animals may have to be in captivity in order to save their species. “A recent report from the World Wildlife Fund warned that without swift and substantial human intervention, over two-thirds of the world’s wildlife could be gone by the end of the decade” (Ganzert, 2017, p. 1). Predictions

Ferrets should be legalized in California because they are actually of no danger to our indigenous wildlife, and are currently outlawed unfairly.

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

Background Info: Zoos in American have changed a lot over the years, but they have not made the full transition to where they should be yet.

Examples of zoos that are well known for such programs include Animal Kingdom in Orlando, the Oakland Zoo, and the San Diego Zoo. These three have won multiple awards and achievements for breeding, conservation, and reintroduction of endangered species to their natural habitats. Many zoos across North America participate in such programs like the Species Survival Plan Program (SSP), which strives to increase the numbers of endangered species in zoos while ensuring healthy and self-sustaining populations (Traw). According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), programs like SSP have succeeded in increasing endangered species populations of many animals, like red wolves, snow leopards, and giant pandas within the last three decades (Traw). It has been estimated that the AZA has established around 113 SSP’s spanning over 181 endangered species within a variety of zoos worldwide (Traw). Breeding programs are extremely vital to conservation efforts in zoos; without them, endangered species would be in serious threat of extinction in their natural habitat. However, these breeding efforts also have important standards. They make sure to breed the animals responsibly, healthily, and genetically safe. In some cases, the goal and outcome of breeding programs is the reintroduction of the animals to their natural habitat, which has a large impact on the recuperation of that animal’s population.Reintroduction is the goal andfinal product of breeding programs.

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.

The Lincoln Park Zoo should be banned in order to protect animals from unsuitable enclosures and inadequate living conditions. Many of us feel the obligation to give animals the same rights as ourselves, so the idea of closing this zoo will prevent the capturing of wildlife and help end the miseries of several animals. By shutting down the Lincoln Park Zoo, numerous controversial issues and struggles will brought to attention on how to care for captive wildlife, or where animals would go without a home. However, if public zoos planned to close within the next year, hundreds of animals that are currently residing in the exhibits will be transported to an animal care center and then released back into the wildlife. This would allow for animals to roam free without being enclosed within a limited space, and be able to enjoy their natural habitat. Getting rid of cages reinforces the idea of interacting with animals and biodiversity in parks and reserves in a natural way.