Zoos and aquariums around the world offer an incredible up close and personal view of nature. Poaching for the exotic pet trade affects an animal’s welfare in addition to its numbers in the wild. 10. For example, lions and a black bear that used to live in Magic World Zoo in Aleppo, Syria, were abandoned at the zoo to face starvation and injury when the Syrian Civil war broke out. Similar to the Dvur Kralove Zoo, the Pairi Daiza Zoo in Belgium is planning to shorten its rhinos’ horns as an anti-poaching measure, and to protect its security personnel as well. Zoo conservation work can be “in-situ”, where money, expertise and sometimes staff are provided to protect animals and their habitats in the wild. Zoos can only do so much to “protect” the orangutan population by breeding them, but that’s about where their influence in the conservation of this species ends. Also, it is stated that zoos are a safer place for animals than being threatened by poaching. Zoos have existed in some form since at least 2500 BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where records indicate giraffes, bears, dolphins, and other animals were kept by aristocrats. On one side of the fence, you have scientists who state that zoos can help an endangered species thrive while detractors state that the best way to protect a threatened species is to create protective preserves where they can breed naturally. And zoo animals are an easy target. [] The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schönbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752[Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying “exotic” humans in exhibits to zookeepers … Zoo authorities do admit that the functioning of zoos is not flawless, and that captive animals do suffer from problems; however, they also expect people to appreciate the sincere efforts taken by them to protect and preserve wild animals. In his new book, ASU School of Life Sciences Professor Ben Minteer brings together an impressive roster of authors that Tanya Wyatt, Northumbria University, Newcastle. The debate rages on whether zoos offer the best option to protect animals facing extinction. GRAPHIC: The death of a rhinoceros at the hands of poachers in France last month has forced other zoos to take drastic action to protect their animals. At the same time, zoos find themselves on the front lines of conservation. Check out volunteer opportunities with Protrak Anti-Poaching Unit. 9. We Can Do Better In some zoos, animal welfare is often overlooked, leaving captive animals to suffer under conditions that are psychologically and physiologically damaging. Due to habitat damage and fragmentation, poaching and pollution, scores of wild species and ecosystems around the world are threatened — many are on the brink of extinction. Even zoos can no longer protect rhinos from poachers March 9, 2017 10.56am EST. More than 230 top zoos and top aquariums of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) work to provide safe habitats, medical care, and a nurturing environment for their animals. Volunteer with the International Anti-Poaching Foundation, learn anti-poaching techniques and aid efforts to protect wildlife.