Not all animal rights activists love animals. Some respect them because they understand animals have a place in the world. Zoos, especially the ones that are doing everything right, present a special challenge to the animal-loving advocates because they would like to see and interact with the animals.
Zoo advocates argue that they save endangered species and educate the public, but many animal rights activists believe the costs outweigh the benefits, and the violation(违反) of the rights of the individual animals is unreasonable. Roadside zoos, petting zoos, and smaller animal exhibitors tend to offer inadequate space for the animals, keeping them in pens or cages. Sometimes cold concrete and metal bars are all a tiger or bear will know for their entire lives. Larger, trusted zoos try to distance themselves from these operations by selling how well the animals are treated, but to animal rights activists, the problem is not how well the animals are treated, but whether we have a right to limit them for our amusement or “education”.
By bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and promote an appreciation of the animals. This exposure and education motivate people to protect the animals. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers(偷猎者), habitat loss, starvation, and predators(捕食者). Many zoos also have multiplying programs for endangered species. In the wild, these individuals might have trouble finding mates and multiplying. A good zoo provides an enriched habitat in which the animals are never bored, are well cared for, and have plenty of space. Zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a healthy, family activity.
In the case of zoos, both sides will argue that their side saves animals. Whether, or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. As long as there is demand for zoos, they will continue to exist. We can start by making sure that zoo conditions are the best possible for the animals who are limited to them.
【小题1】What do we know about Zoo's advantages? ________| A．It can protect animals and provide room for communicating. |
| B．It gives people more chances to get in touch with animals. |
| C．It can offer foods that all the animals need while animals in trouble. |
| D．It makes animals live longer there without any sickness. |
| A．Animal rights activists. | B．Zoo advocates. |
| C．Animal-loving advocates. | D．All the poachers' activists. |
| A．Zoos will be cancelled. | B．Zoos will be combined with aquariums(水族馆;水族箱). |
| C．Zoos will be limited. | D．Zoos will become better and better. |
| A．Endangered species in zoos. | B．Zoos' advantages and disadvantages. |
| C．People and animals in zoos. | D．Arguments for and against zoos. |
