Finding a New Perspective

    In my #SorryNotSorry course, we went to the zoo. It was an overcast and windy day, making it feel muggy and cold at times. When we walked in, I was surprised that we were not met with a strong odor as I expected. The first animals we spotted were the monkeys, which were climbing on ropes and structures and occasionally stopping to watch the people around them. As we walked through the zoo, I noticed that the plants and trees were lush and green, providing shade and adding life to the space. I also noticed differences in the water within the enclosures. The monkey enclosure had darker green water, while the elephant enclosure’s water appeared bluer. As we passed different animals, I paid attention to the variety of sounds, from quiet chirping to louder calls echoing across the exhibits.

    Because of these observations, and a prompt from my class asking whether animals in zoos deserve an apology for how humans treat them, I began thinking more critically about the role of zoos. Although the zoo participates in conservation efforts and is a nonprofit, it was hard not to notice how limited some enclosures felt compared to the wild. The monkeys climbed on artificial structures rather than real trees, and while the elephants had more space, it still did not completely reflect their natural habitat. The lion we observed was pacing back and forth, which made me question whether it was experiencing stress or boredom. While zoos can help protect endangered species, I feel conflicted about animals spending their entire lives in these environments. Overall, zoos may benefit some animals, but those capable of surviving in the wild may be better off there. I think drive-through zoos may be a better alternative, as they allow animals more space to roam.