Wild Elephants Live Longer Than Their Zoo Counterparts. For African elephants, the median life span is 17 years for zoo-born females, compared to 56 years in the Amboseli National Park population. For Asian elephants, the results are "much more worrying because they are the rarer of the two species," Mason said.
They teach people about the importance of nature. They provide scientists with opportunities to study wild animals. And they are also important because thousands of species of wild animals are in danger of dying out. Saving these endangered species is one of the purposes of modern zoos.
According to the BBC, between 3,000 and 5,000 healthy zoo animals are killed in Europe every year. In the U.S., the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) says flatly that incidents of killing healthy surplus animals "do not happen at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums."Oct 14, 2015
Zoos cannot provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. This is particularly the case for those species who roam larger distances in their natural habitat. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild.Mar 3, 2010
Over 3,700 animals from over 650 different species and subspecies live on its more than 40 hectares. The Frankfurter Zoo with its 11,000 acres is home of about 4,500 individuals of around 450 animal species. Zoos used to show as many attractive, spectacular and exotic species as possible.Aug 8, 2017
Most animals confined in zoos are not endangered, nor are they being prepared for release into natural habitats. In fact, it is nearly impossible to release captive-bred animals, including threatened species like elephants, polar bears, gorillas, tigers and chimpanzees into the wild.
According to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), there are over 10,000 zoos worldwide. In the U.S. alone, the Department of Agriculture licenses 2,400 "animal exhibitors," of which 212 are members of the AZA, an organization that requires high standards of animal care, science, and conservation.Nov 13, 2003
Public AZA-accredited zoos rely on government funding for 47% of their operating budget, on average, says Feldman. As a result, many zoos are downsizing or closing exhibits to stay on budget. ... Zoos that depend less on public funding or have long-term projects in the works, however, are still opening new exhibits.May 30, 2011