Write an argumentative essay about whether zoos are helpful or harmful for animals.
Your argumentative essay must be based on this prompt and topic, and it must incorporate ideas and evidence found in the sources provided. (scroll down to find the three required sources)
Use your best writing to complete an essay that
is focused on your claim/position;
combines evidence from multiple sources with your own elaboration to develop your ideas;
is organized and includes transitions within and among ideas;
provides citations for quoted material and source ideas; and
demonstrates correct use of grammar and language appropriate to the task.
Write your multiparagraph essay to an academic audience in the space provided.
**KEEP SCROLLING TO READ THE THREE SOURCES YOU ARE USING TO HELP YOU ANSWER THIS QUESTION AND WRITE YOUR ESSAY**
FAST Argumentative Writing Rubric Link
Unit 2 Writing and Argument Outline
Source 1
Zoos step in to help save wild animals around the world
By Katherine Jones, McClatchy Foreign Staff, Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff
GORONGOSA NATIONAL PARK, Mozambique — Every year, more than 180 million people visit zoos and aquariums in the United States. Those 180 million people are not just seeing animals at the zoo. They are also helping to save wild animals around the world — from zebras in Mozambique to condors in California.
Zoo Boise, in Idaho’s capital city, led the way. It started a program in 2007 to raise money to help protect wild animals. Each visitor to the zoo now pays a small fee — 50 cents. The money adds up, and some of it is helping to protect zebras in Mozambique, in southeastern Africa.
Where Have All The Zebras Gone?
A 15-year civil war in Mozambique caused a lot of damage in Gorongosa National Park. At one time, there were thousands of zebras in the park. In 2012, only 10 were left. The money from Zoo Boise helped to buy 15 more zebras. They now live in a protected area of the park. The zebras in Mozambique, supported by zoo visitors 10,000 miles away, are an example of a new idea: zoos helping to protect animals in the wild.
“I’ve been working at the zoo for a long time, so I see zebras every day,” said Steve Burns, who runs Zoo Boise. “But those zebras were special.”
Visitors to Zoo Boise raised $1.2 million from 2007 to 2013. The money has been used to help wild animals far and wide: from squirrels in Idaho to zebras and lions in Mozambique.
Come Back And Help Some More
Other zoos have begun similar programs. Altogether, zoos and aquariums in the United States raise $160 million a year to help protect wild animals around the world.
“Most people have busy lives and they don’t know how to help. We’ve made it easy for them,” Burns says. “All they have to do is come to the zoo and do things they would want to do anyway, and when they walk out the door, they’re conservationists. They helped. And if you want to do more, come back again.”
The connection between Idaho and Mozambique began with David Carr, a rich man who is using his money to help people. Carr is originally from Idaho, and made a lot of money in the tech industry, running Internet and phone companies. He started using his money to help people in Idaho. Then Carr started looking for another project. He decided to help protect wild animals and wild places. He became a conservationist.
Rebuilding After War
Carr visited Mozambique in 2004. He went to Gorongosa National Park and saw the damage from the war. Many animals had been killed for food. Others were killed by people who needed money. Still, the land was beautiful.
“I thought, ‘Wow, if we restore the park, we restore nature,’” Carr said. “We’re saving the treasure — the national symbol of this country.”
Carr supports the Gorongosa Restoration Project — a plan to fix the damage that war caused in the national park. He has promised to spend $40 million over 20 years to support the project. He also helped connect zoo visitors in Idaho with the zebras in Mozambique. Burns, of Zoo Boise, said zoos and aquariums in the United States could become the biggest source of money for wildlife conservation in the world.
Bison Travel To New York
He mentioned one famous case of a zoo helping to save wild animals. The Bronx Zoo in New York City helped to save the American bison, or buffalo, in the early 1900s. At that time, there were very few bison left in the United States. The director of the Bronx Zoo traveled to the West, and brought some bison back to New York. At the zoo, the bison had a safe place to live and breed. Eventually, the zoo released some bison back into the wild. Now there are many in the American West.
“There wouldn’t be bison in this country if that had not happened,” Burns said.
Source 2
Elephant breeding is a tricky business
By John Hayes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Tribune Content Agency, adapted by Newsela staff
PITTSBURGH — Over the last 10 years, more than a million of Africa's wild elephants have been killed. In 2004, there were 1.5 million wild African elephants. Today, there are only between 300,000 and 400,000 of the animals left. The biggest cause of their deaths is that elephants are being slaughtered for their valuable ivory tusks. Though it's illegal, an average of 96 wild elephants are poached every day. To make sure that elephants will not disappear altogether, zoos have been trying to breed captive elephants. Their efforts haven't been very successful, though. Getting elephants to mate and give birth is a tricky business.
Project Frozen Dumbo
Now, there is good news. Two baby elephants have been born in zoos in Austria and England. Instead of relying on natural methods, scientists traveled to South Africa and collected reproductive material from wild elephants, preserving it through freezing. This frozen material was then utilized to impregnate female zoo elephants in the United States, resulting in the successful birth of healthy baby elephants.
The new project is known as Project Frozen Dumbo. It is named after the Disney character Dumbo the Elephant.
In the past, the scientists' experiment didn't work. But now, their success has come at just the right time. Last Tuesday was World Elephant Day, which is celebrated to draw attention to the problems of wild elephants, and news of the births was huge!
Elephant Exchange
For about 30 years, zoos have exchanged elephants to see if they could get them to have calves — or baby elephants. Those efforts have largely been unsuccessful. It's just not easy to get zoo elephants to mate. One of the few success stories is a bull elephant named Jackson who lives at the Pittsburgh Zoo. He has offspring all over the United States. Unfortunately, Jackson's success is itself a bit of a problem: Too many zoo elephants are his children. To be strong and healthy, the captive elephant population needs a wider pool of parents.
Animals (and humans, too) carry DNA, which is given to them by their parents and makes every living thing unique. When too many animals have the same DNA, the group of animals becomes worse at surviving disease or changes in their environment. The best hope now, Theison said, is using wild elephants. This can help create more diversity of DNA and be sent to zoos all over the world.
Theison said he hopes to pair a 14-year-old female elephant with a possible mate this year. At his zoo, elephants roam over 724 acres, with few people bothering them. The hope is that such conditions will encourage natural breeding.
Zoos: A Necessary Evil for Animal Conservation?
Zoos have long been a controversial topic when it comes to animal welfare and conservation. While proponents argue that zoos play a vital role in saving and protecting endangered species, opponents believe that keeping animals in captivity is inherently harmful and unethical. Ultimately, the question remains: Are zoos helpful or harmful for animals?
One argument in favor of zoos is their contribution to wildlife conservation. According to an article by Katherine Jones, zoos and aquariums in the United States raise $160 million annually to protect wild animals around the world (source 1). This money is used to fund initiatives such as the protection of zebras in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park. Zoo Boise, for example, raised $1.2 million from 2007 to 2013, which helped buy 15 zebras and allowed them to flourish in a protected area (source 1). These success stories highlight the potential impact that zoos can have in preserving endangered species.
Furthermore, John Hayes discusses in his article the challenges of breeding elephants in captivity. The decline in the wild elephant population due to poaching necessitates alternative methods to save the species. Through Project Frozen Dumbo, scientists collected reproductive material from wild elephants in South Africa and used it to impregnate female zoo elephants in the United States, resulting in successful births. This innovative approach offers hope for the future of elephant conservation (source 2).
Opponents of zoos argue that animals suffer in captivity. They contend that the confinement and limited space available in zoos are detrimental to the physical and psychological well-being of the animals. Critics claim that animals in captivity exhibit abnormal behaviors, such as pacing and aggression, due to stress and boredom. Additionally, they argue that the artificial environments provided by zoos cannot replicate the natural habitats that animals need to thrive.
While these concerns are valid, zoos have made significant progress in improving animal welfare in recent years. Many zoos now prioritize creating habitats that resemble the animals' natural environments as closely as possible. They provide enrichment activities and mental stimulation to keep animals engaged and active. Additionally, accredited zoos adhere to strict regulations and undergo regular inspections to ensure that animals are receiving proper care.
In addition to the conservation efforts, zoos also serve as educational institutions. They provide a unique opportunity for the public to learn about different species and the importance of conservation. These educational experiences can inspire visitors to become conservationists themselves and take action to protect wildlife.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns about the captivity of animals in zoos, the positive aspects outweigh the negatives. Zoos have proven to be invaluable tools for wildlife conservation, contributing significant funds to protect endangered species and conducting research to aid in their survival. Moreover, advances in animal welfare practices demonstrate that zoos are evolving towards providing better living conditions for their residents. Additionally, the educational value of zoos cannot be overlooked, as they play a crucial role in raising awareness and inspiring future generations to take action. Overall, zoos remain a necessary evil, striving to strike a balance between animal welfare and the conservation of endangered species.