Budapest Zoo ranked among Europe’s best! – Programme Guide

2 Comments

1. Patrick Condon says:

   31/01/2022 at 13:34

   I was at Budapest zoo a few months back and was also at another European zoo many years ago.I know the staff are professional and do their best to take care of the animals. When I was at budapest zoo the temperature was around 36c and to see a polar bear in this heat was heartbreaking,also to see a magnificent elephant inside a small glass plated room feeding himself from overhead,to see a Siberian tiger lying down in the heat while people all around were trying to see him and making noise did not seem natural. Nothing has changed from many years back and I feel the concept of zoos is wrong. These animals would be better off left in the wild rather than put on display to suit the whims of modern day adults and children. The money spent on zoos would be better spent preserving the natural forests and habitats of these beautiful animals.Some might argue that the species are being protected and otherwise might be extinct,I say protect the environment and the animals will survive,

2. The Realist says:

   31/01/2022 at 21:54

   @Patrick Condon. Zoos can be important in bringing back endangered species from the brink of extinction (in fact, the Przewalski’s horse was saved because of zoos) through selective/captive breeding. You say protect the environment and the animals will survive, but that is very idealistic of you (not bad to be idealistic). The growing population of humans and interaction between humans and animals often put the animals at the disadvantage. We can see how the European bison went almost extinct in Europe due to a growing population. Another example is that Elephants in many African countries have come into conflict with humans (ex: trampling over fences and farmland). Obviously, we should protect the environment but it also requires careful planning to prevent conflict between humans and wildlife.

   Another point I want to make is that zoos can also save animals who are too sick/injured/old to be released back into the wild. I will admit
   that many zoos can also be cruel. Some of the zoos are poorly run and do not serve the interest of the animals. If zoos focus on the rehabilitation and preservation of animals then I have no problem with zoos.