To take the children to the zoo?

[fiveacres]

DH is against them, and feels they are cruel.

I agree in a way but I do love seeing the animals.

AIBU to think the zoo will continue with or without our custom and go tomorrow anyway? (With DH, in case that wasn't clear.) Or should I go in the summer holidays when he'll be at work if he really feels strongly about it?

I don't think a well-run zoo is cruel. London zoo is amazing, I think all the animals look happy and it funds loads of conservation projects. I'm a huge fan.

Don't take your DCs to the zoo. If the zoo want your DCs they will come and get them!

some zoos are awful. you could look into sponsoring an animal and also their protection programmes.

It is good in one way as you can bring to your DC the plight of some animals in other countries and also raise awareness of some creatures they don't know about.

There's a zoo in SW France where parents have holiday home (Palmiers?) that my parents went to and said it was awful but most here are fine.

London Zoo, Dublin Zoo and Whipsnade, I think all seem to have happy and healthy animals. Well looked after in large enclosures.
Belfast Zoo is a depressing sight.
I think a good zoo is a good thing, but tighter controls needed.

Queen

Some zoo are great places, some are awful. Some do great conservation and education work and some don't.

We went to Yorkshire Wildlife Park not so long ago and I was impressed. Their rescue work for the lions was great and the enclosures they've built for the Amur Leopards (part of the breeding programme & part of some sort of release programme) are really good in terms of zoo enclosure sizes etc. They've also recently rehomed two polar bears.

Can you look at different places and see if there are any he doesn't object too? There are some I'd never set foot in, but some that I'd happily support.

I believe Chester has a very good reputation as a conservation centre - have a look at the website www.chesterzoo.org/conservation-and-research, also check out what they say about enclosures and how they care for their animals. Perhaps ask your DH to look too - I think if you take the right approach and use it more as an educational tool and explain the importance of the animals/birds etc then it could be useful as well as fun.

I went quite a long time ago when my boys were small and don't remember having any issues with it, but I don't (in general) object to them.

I've persuaded him

Still want to go to India and see tigers though!