# Zoos, do we need tbem? **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-do-we-need-tbem/670320 **Category:** In My Humble Opinion **Created:** [October 4, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-do-we-need-tbem/670320 "2013-10-04T01:50:52Z") **Posts on this page:** 1 **Showing post:** 12
### Author: ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane) #### Post date: [October 4, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-do-we-need-tbem/670320/12 "2013-10-04T03:48:10Z")
I’ll just quote myself from 2007: > [@Zoos: good or bad?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439/3): > > As I’ve stated before in these sort of discussions, zoos in my mind are vital for exactly one reason - education of the young. I think it is important for young people to see actual, physical animals, marvel at them and perhaps learn a smidgeon in the process. I know they had a real impact on me as a child ( and I attended after school/weekend programs at the SF Zoo in the 1970’s ) and I’ve seen the positive impact they’ve had on my nieces/nephews. It’s really where a lot of young environmentalists get their start and that’s a good thing. > > Captive breeing programs are also of limited, but admittedly for the most part probably _very_ limited, utility. > > But mostly it’s for the young. We should strive to improve zoos as much as possible, but I think they serve a genuine purpose that for urban kids in particular might be irreplaceable. MHO. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-do-we-need-tbem/670320)._