Although some may agree that the environments may not be harmful to the animals, it is

also argued that zoos teach the wrong concept to children and is not beneficial educational wise.

Having zoos means holding animals captive; this gives children the idea that it is perfectly

normal to hold an animal against its will simply to gain a better understanding. This idea is

detrimental to the idea that zoos are trying to portray: conservation. There too many obscene

situations that could occur when children are visiting. An example ​ Bennet writes about is one

“in [the] Copenhagen Zoo in 2014 when Marius, a giraffe, was fed to the lions in front of

schoolchildren. The subsequent outcry showed that for now, this ‘red in tooth and claw’

approach might be a radical immersion too far” (par 11).​ The gory scene would scar all the

visiting children who watched. There are also the dangers of the animals getting ahold of the

children visiting. This was made a​ very popular topic years ago, when the death of a gorilla

named Harambe occurred due to a child falling into the enclosure and being, as what some might

say, thrown around like a toy (Ganzert par 1)​. The catastrophic instances where wild events like

these occur are what make zoos more of a danger zone than a learning environment.

On the other hand, zoos provide a human and animal learning interaction that would be

unachievable in any other way. ​Emily Myers’ article “Animal Friends Inspire Learning,

Conservation” states “Research shows in-person interaction with animals can improve our

understanding and connection with animals” (par 4).​ The likelihood of the scenes quite like a

child visiting animals at the zoo occurring and safely is very slim without these protected

enclosures. The amount of knowledge gained from attending a zoo overrides the very few

horrors within a zoo.​ In Jorge Milian’s article “Jungle Jack’ Hanna: Zoos are Vital, Not Torture,

for Animals,” he provides evidence on the impressive amount of learning achieved in attending a
zoo from a study conducted by Association of Zoos and Aquariums: “[O]ver three years, 61

percent of visitors were still able to talk about what they learned at the zoo seven to 11 months

after their visit and 35 percent said going to the zoo reinforced their existing beliefs about

conservation” (par 12). ​This study shows that there is a learning curve provided in zoos.

Sometimes the education about animals is not only obtained from the reading blurbs

around the animal’s exhibit. ​Jamie Whitehouse et al. composed the article “Evaluation of Public

Engagement Activities to Promote Science in a Zoo Environment,” on another study that was

conducted at both the Macaque Study Center (Marwell Zoo) and The Budongo Trail

Chimpanzee exhibit (Edinburgh Zoo) showing that on average two and a half minutes were spent

at the electronic informational, interactive exhibits at Marwell Zoo, but only one minute at the

Edinburgh Zoo (par 28). ​This shows that the interaction that could be provided is more effective

and educates more youth about animals and conservation. Enhancing the educational aspect of

zoos would very likely increase the number of visitors, increase profit, and educate more people.

The display of animals and information provided at each exhibit creates a better

understanding of the animal and how it interacts in its natural state. ​Gray believes that zoos

educate people about the animals held within their walls to create a better understanding by

bringing humans closer to animals, making them more likely to act to preserve their wildlife

(182). ​Zoos not only educate its visitors, but they also help educate in the science field. Zoos

give scientists the ability to better understand and study the animals and their behaviors.

Scientists and researchers observe animals behaviors and habits to create a better understanding

on how they interact and how they would need to be treated. ​Gray claims “Zoos facilitate the

detailed study of animals. Animals can be observed, their physiological needs can be assessed
and treatments for diseases developed” (189).​ This can save the lives of an entire species and

more if they have any way to prevent their extinction, death of a single animal, or even

contracting an illness. Zoos do all they can to create the best lives for the animals within their

facilities and try to provide them the best lives.