But people want to see the animals, not everyone has possibility and money to go to the countries, where all the animals live!! And to see them only in books is not enough, too!
We are lucky here in North Carolina. We have the largest zoo in the world (acreage-wize). A lot of it is still undeveloped, but many animals have enclosures that can be measured in square miles. They do an excellent job hiding the fences and the barns where they keep the animals in inclement weather – can you imagine how big the barn for a giraffe must be?
Zoos have several important purposes, and good zoos do an excellent job of giving their animals enrichment and even providing off-exhibit areas to roam. It has come a long way from the era of animals in cages or tiny enclosures. Many zoo animals have longer, healthier lives than their wild counterparts.
People go to zoos primarily for entertainment and education, but that serves an important purpose. A child who feeds a giraffe lettuce leaves may well grow to be an adult who cares that giraffe populations are declining in the wild.
Many zoos are actively involved in research and conservation efforts. My local zoo is part of a number of species survival plans, and has successfully reintroduced at least one species into the wild. Several species would be gone forever without captive breeding programs. In addition, zoos fund and staff research projects both with their own animals and in the wild, and are frequently active in conservation projects in the wild.
There are an estimated 3200 tigers left in the wild. There are 2 to 3 times that many tigers in zoos and other man-made enclosures. The story is even worse for other big cats including the Snow leopard which is gravely endangered. Even lions are threatened… there only are around 20,000 of these magnificent big cats in all of Africa.
The sad fact is that we as humans have driven many animals to extinction. Its never good to put animals in a zoo and I really wish we didn’t need to. But instead of doing nothing, we can atleast try to keep the species alive. by caring for them in a zoo. Then release them into the wild as and when feasible. With conservation efforts around the world, we might see a real impact a few decades down the line. Also as Janina mentioned above, it helps to get atleast a few people interested in conservation efforts.
BE THIS GUY almost 6 years ago
That’s different. Hobbes is resting up so he will have the energy to pounce you when you get home.
Sugar Bombs 95 almost 6 years ago
Hobbes clearly doesn’t know much about zoos. If it weren’t for zoos, his species would probably be extinct.
codycab almost 6 years ago
Are the penguins of Madagascar here? Maybe they can cheer Hobbes up.
rentier almost 6 years ago
But people want to see the animals, not everyone has possibility and money to go to the countries, where all the animals live!! And to see them only in books is not enough, too!
jpayne4040 almost 6 years ago
At least Hobbes has you, Calvin!
rshive almost 6 years ago
And they don’t even get to play Calvinball.
DanFlak almost 6 years ago
We are lucky here in North Carolina. We have the largest zoo in the world (acreage-wize). A lot of it is still undeveloped, but many animals have enclosures that can be measured in square miles. They do an excellent job hiding the fences and the barns where they keep the animals in inclement weather – can you imagine how big the barn for a giraffe must be?
cdnalor almost 6 years ago
The animals get to see all the weird critters that visit everyday.
jbarnes almost 6 years ago
Zoos have several important purposes, and good zoos do an excellent job of giving their animals enrichment and even providing off-exhibit areas to roam. It has come a long way from the era of animals in cages or tiny enclosures. Many zoo animals have longer, healthier lives than their wild counterparts.
People go to zoos primarily for entertainment and education, but that serves an important purpose. A child who feeds a giraffe lettuce leaves may well grow to be an adult who cares that giraffe populations are declining in the wild.
Many zoos are actively involved in research and conservation efforts. My local zoo is part of a number of species survival plans, and has successfully reintroduced at least one species into the wild. Several species would be gone forever without captive breeding programs. In addition, zoos fund and staff research projects both with their own animals and in the wild, and are frequently active in conservation projects in the wild.
stephenf almost 6 years ago
There are an estimated 3200 tigers left in the wild. There are 2 to 3 times that many tigers in zoos and other man-made enclosures. The story is even worse for other big cats including the Snow leopard which is gravely endangered. Even lions are threatened… there only are around 20,000 of these magnificent big cats in all of Africa.
!!IceFire!! almost 6 years ago
The sad fact is that we as humans have driven many animals to extinction. Its never good to put animals in a zoo and I really wish we didn’t need to. But instead of doing nothing, we can atleast try to keep the species alive. by caring for them in a zoo. Then release them into the wild as and when feasible. With conservation efforts around the world, we might see a real impact a few decades down the line. Also as Janina mentioned above, it helps to get atleast a few people interested in conservation efforts.
bigcatbusiness almost 6 years ago
I don’t think even Hobbes sees the point.