# Zoos: good or bad? **URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439 **Category:** Great Debates **Created:** [December 28, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439 "2007-12-28T03:41:31Z") **Posts on this page:** 1 **Showing post:** 3
### 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: [December 28, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/zoos-good-or-bad/431439/3 "2007-12-28T04:08:05Z")
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-good-or-bad/431439)._