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Original poster

Zoos are cruel....

212 replies

Ihateboris · 19/06/2026 07:28

And should be banned. It's just so sad seeing animals cooped up, just for the pleasure of selfish human beings.

OP posts:
redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:55

PancakeCloud · 19/06/2026 08:51

So do you think non-human life is more important than human life? Weird take.

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I believe in balance. Not one species taking over and destroying so much of the world. So not a weird take at all.

Also agree with pp who say we need to look at the pet, dairy and egg industries among others.

PancakeCloud · 19/06/2026 08:51

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:30

We don't need zoos or conservation projects. What we need is to reduce the human population massively and return the land we have stolen from other species so they can live their lives the way they were designed to. We also need to stop polluting their and our own environments.

So do you think non-human life is more important than human life? Weird take.

chevalraye · 19/06/2026 08:49

I don’t like the for profit ones but the ones primarily focussed on conservation of endangered species and raising awareness are necessary. Like Vulpro, although you probably wouldn’t even call it a zoo.

I would also gently encourage people to include the dairy and egg industry when questioning their ethical values.

UltimateSloth · 19/06/2026 08:48

The majority of animals in zoos these days are captive bred. Good zoos offer enrichment and natural habitats and vet care.

Before we worry about zoos we should perhaps look at the pet industry. Far more animals suffer for that than in zoos.

PancakeCloud · 19/06/2026 08:48

I thought zoos now did a lot of animal conservation work and so on. I think much more productive to focus on reducing cruelty in zoos etc than wholesale banning them.

TeenToTwenties · 19/06/2026 08:46

Durrell Conservation Projects | Durrell

ihateexcel · 19/06/2026 08:46

Only 3% of animals in zoos are endangered species that need help with breeding programs and conservation. The other 97% are there for human entertainment.
Zoos and safari parks are well know for killing surplus animals and there is still too much human interaction with zoo keepers and staff which leads to unsafe and dangerous working conditions.

6ate9 · 19/06/2026 08:43

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:40

Children is the operative word there. It's a numbers game.

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We could reduce the number right now, but no one wants to volunteer for the greater good!!!

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:40

6ate9 · 19/06/2026 08:38

We could reduce the human population massively if people volunteered to die. But, humans are selfish and don’t actually want to do that, but they do want to tell other people not to have children to reduce the population!!!

Children is the operative word there. It's a numbers game.

6ate9 · 19/06/2026 08:38

We could reduce the human population massively if people volunteered to die. But, humans are selfish and don’t actually want to do that, but they do want to tell other people not to have children to reduce the population!!!

Manzana · 19/06/2026 08:38

as other posters have said, zoos play an important role in animal conservation, because some humans slaughter them in the wild, and until that stops animals need help. One example is the Californian Condor, only 23 birds in the wild in the 80s, now over 400 because of work done by San Diego Zoo.

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:38

TeenToTwenties · 19/06/2026 08:37

Well probably. But in the meantime zoos are helpful.
Don't let ideal get in the way of doing something helpful.

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We'll have to agree to disagree that zoos are helpful😀

TeenToTwenties · 19/06/2026 08:37

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:35

That's not interfering though. That's a human stopping another human doing something. And the likely result is that you stop one poacher and another takes their place. You need to eliminate the need for people to poach.

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Well probably. But in the meantime zoos are helpful.
Don't let ideal get in the way of doing something helpful.

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:35

TeenToTwenties · 19/06/2026 08:31

Er. Yes. They need positive help to mitigate the loss of their natural environment, poaching etc.

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That's not interfering though. That's a human stopping another human doing something. And the likely result is that you stop one poacher and another takes their place. You need to eliminate the need for people to poach.

Luddite26 · 19/06/2026 08:33

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:30

We don't need zoos or conservation projects. What we need is to reduce the human population massively and return the land we have stolen from other species so they can live their lives the way they were designed to. We also need to stop polluting their and our own environments.

And this is going to happen really ? Any fake hope of this is out the window currently.

Luddite26 · 19/06/2026 08:32

I have visited zoos a lot lately and they are not the places they were 20 years ago even. I never visited zoos with my own kids. I've never eaten meat. I abhor hunting especially big game hunting.. And the people who partake in it
In my opinion, and plenty will disagree,, zoos right now are not the worst things we humans inflict on animals. All the dreadful despairing problems on this planet I don't feel zoos are the worst thing if they are of a better standard than the roadside zoos or SeaWorld in the US. I am only speaking about modern zoos that educate and help breed animals. I have never watched a circus or an awful animal show since I was about 3 years old. I don't go abroad because of things like bullfighting or dancing bears for tourists. But my opinion has changed on zoos.

6ate9 · 19/06/2026 08:32

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:30

We don't need zoos or conservation projects. What we need is to reduce the human population massively and return the land we have stolen from other species so they can live their lives the way they were designed to. We also need to stop polluting their and our own environments.

Are you willing to die now to reduce human population?

TeenToTwenties · 19/06/2026 08:31

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:20

You think animals need more interference from human beings?

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Er. Yes. They need positive help to mitigate the loss of their natural environment, poaching etc.

redboxer321 · 19/06/2026 08:30

We don't need zoos or conservation projects. What we need is to reduce the human population massively and return the land we have stolen from other species so they can live their lives the way they were designed to. We also need to stop polluting their and our own environments.

Sunnyyetnotsunny · 19/06/2026 08:30

1weekinjuy · 19/06/2026 08:22

Going by yesterday’s news…. Also ripe for insane psychopaths to hurt toddlers

So are museums apparently.... 🤷

6ate9 · 19/06/2026 08:27

Ihatetomatoes · 19/06/2026 08:14

Without the breeding programmes of many zoos some animals would be extinct now.

Does that matter? Humans can become extinct too!!!

NotAnotherScarf · 19/06/2026 08:26

Thankfully, most of the zoos in the UK are going down the building bigger enclosures nearer the natural conditions for that animal. Bristol zoo moved out of the disgusting victorian display setting into a much larger space. But it allowed a polar bear to go mad and even the money house built in the 70s/80s was very stark and bare

Daisymae55 · 19/06/2026 08:22

The zoo near us has wonderful breeding programmes. Such programmes have reduced how endangered some animals are.

Some zoos are cruel. But there are plenty that are playing a vital role in conservation.

1weekinjuy · 19/06/2026 08:22

Going by yesterday’s news…. Also ripe for insane psychopaths to hurt toddlers

tanktopper · 19/06/2026 08:21

I agree. Having confined pets is cruel too. Often done in good faith, but ultimately entirely for the human and not with the best interests of the animal in mind.