This document discusses the unethical treatment of animals in zoos. The author argues that zoos are an unethical place to imprison animals, as they have many detrimental effects on animal well-being and psyche. While some zoos claim benefits like education, the author disagrees and believes normalizing the use of animals for entertainment harms respect for them. The author intends to investigate the psychological impacts of captivity on animals and find ways to end zoos in America so wild animals can live freely.

1. Unethical
Treatment of
Animals in Zoos
Leigha Lynch

2. My research topic is...
Zoos are an unethical and unconventional place for animals to be
imprisoned. Although there are a couple benefits to particular zoos,
there are many more downfalls and detrimental side effects to the
animals who are forced into captivity. I will be investigating and
finding examples of the animals psyche after experiencing the life
behind bars. I want to learn an effective way to end the zoos in
America and let wild animals be wild.

3. History of Zoos
The first Zoology came out in London, it was
called the Zoological society of London
(1826)
Two years later the London Zoo opened
(1828)
At first it was designed for scientific reasons
and then opened to the public (1847)
America opened its first zoo to the public in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1874)

4. Individuals Involved in The Fight for Animals
in Zoos
1. W.A.N. -World Animal News, This organization spreads the news of all the major
milestones or tragedies that happen in the animal world (due to humans). They are
constantly covering death and neurological problems in zoos.
2. Peta- People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, there are numerous articles written about
how outdated zoos are and how they were created before animal welfare was an
important topic.
3. Any certified sanctuary- There are many sanctuaries that take in the animals that were
discarded by zoos and circuses. These actually provide protection with a real
environment to live in; instead of a cage.

5. Questions I have about my topic
1. How much do zoos make annually? EX.v Philadelphia Zoo
2. What happens to the older animals in a zoo?
3. How can people educate each other to boycott zoos?
4. Are there any ways to fix the damage done to the animals that
suffer mentally from being locked in a cage?

6. A Viewpoint I Disagree with...
According to “Zoos Victoria,” the zoos help educate people. Along with many other points they
made this one had to be the worst. As a young child seeing these lions behind a cage, it tends to
normalize using animals for a human’s own entertainment. There becomes a lack of respect at a
young age to taunt and berade the animals we’ve trapped behind bars. Of course there are good
people who do truly learn, there are way more people who lose respect. Educating them only
worsens the problem when being educated wrong. Throwing an animal behind a cage and saying
facts about them and where they would be living if not in a zoo isn’t a honorable way to educate.

7. Bibliography
1. “Five Facts about Good Zoos.” Zoos Victoria, www.zoo.org.au/news/five-facts-about-good-
zoos#FACT2
2. “In Defense Of Animals Releases List Of 10 Worst Zoos For Elephants In North America.” World Animal
News, 27 Jan. 2018, worldanimalnews.com/defense-animals-releases-list-10-worst-zoos-elephants-
north-america/.
3. “Zoos: Pitiful Prisons.” PETA, www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-
entertainment-factsheets/zoos-pitiful-prisons/.
4. Ranganathan, Romesh. “Zoos Are Prisons for Animals – No One Needs to See a Depressed Penguin
in the Flesh.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 13 Mar. 2017,
www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2017/mar/13/zoos-are-prisons-for-animals-no-one-needs-
to-see-a-depressed-penguin-in-the-flesh.