The Importance of Zoos
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When thinking about a visit to the zoo, most people imagine a fun day spent outdoors observing exotic animals. However, a visit to the zoo means much more. Zoo patrons support an organization that benefits both animals and people in countless ways. Here are just a few.

Zoos and Education

The more we learn about animals, the more we can do to protect them. Zoos provide tours, seminars, and exhibits to teach the public about animal habitats and how animal behavior is affected by where the animal lives. Visitors discover how animals interact and the role animals play in their environment. This helps us better understand why biodiversity, or a variety of life, is necessary for the health of our planet.

Zoos also help scientists and researchers learn. By studying zoo animals, scientists have discovered new medicines and new techniques to improve the health of animals living in captivity and in the wild. Their work with zoo animals benefits humans, too. For example, scientists study how certain illnesses are transmitted, or spread, from animals to humans. They use this information to decrease or prevent transmission of some of these diseases. By working closely with one or two species at the zoo, scientists become specialists in their field. They can then pass their knowledge along to other scientists.

Zoos and Conservation

A critical mission for most zoos is conservation of animal species. Zoos cooperate to preserve and grow endangered animal populations. In the wild, animals face health threats like pollution, poaching, destruction of habitats, and climate change. These threats cause animal populations to decrease and possibly disappear forever. Zoos take in endangered species, set up breeding programs, and work together to rebuild animal populations. Zoos have helped prevent several species, from tiny frogs to big cats, from becoming extinct.

Zoos and the Economy

By helping animals, zoos also help local economies. Zoos and their animals attract people from near and far. When people spend time and money in a local area, it is good for businesses and creates jobs. Zoos provide employment for scientists, veterinarians, animal behavior experts, groundskeepers, and many others. Zoos allow students and researchers to directly work with animals, which is much more difficult in the wild.

Zoos and Animal Welfare

Zoos have changed a lot from the early days of bars and cages. Zoos spare no expense in creating life-like habitats that resemble animals’ homes in the wild. Zoo animals receive expert medical care. Animal behaviorists are dedicated to finding ways to keep animals active and to prevent boredom. Studies show that some zoo animals have longer lifespans than they would in the wild. Zoos rescue animals from dangerous and abusive situations. They take in orphaned animals that may have lost a parent to hunters. They also rehabilitate injured animals that would have been unable to heal in the wild. Finally, zoos contribute money and research information to support conservation efforts around the world.

Zoos promote conservation, education, economic growth, and animal well-being. And they continue to try to improve. Organizations like the American Humane are working with zoos to set standards, or rules, to ensure animals receive the best care. Next time you go to the zoo, pat yourself on the back for supporting such a helpful organization. Ask a zoo employee how you, too, can become an advocate for animals!

Based on the section “Zoos and the Economy,” what is the author’s viewpoint on the relationship between zoos and the economy?

A. When people visit an area and go to its zoo, the local economy is not affected because visitors only spend money at the zoo.

B. People spend money at local businesses because they want to support researchers who work with animals.

C. Zoos improve local economies by creating jobs and attracting people who spend money in the local area.

D. Zoos affect the local economy when zoo employees spend their salaries in the local area.