Zoos are essential tools to fufill the creation mandate and have many benefits for both
animals and humans alike. Regarding animals, zoos provide safety from starvation, predators and
the elements. Zoos improve the well being of animals by preventing pain and suffering. In Jenny
Greys book titled Zoo Ethics,she says “Welfare is often used to refer to the absence of pain and
suffering.” Zoos apply the Five Freedoms originally By the British Farm Animal Welfare
Council in 1965 and adopted by many animal welfare organizations. The Five Freedoms are
Internationally accepted standards of care that affirm every living being's right to humane
treatment. The Five Freedoms are freedom from hunger and thirst, from discomfort, from pain
injury or disease, to express normal behavior, from fear and distress. Along with their welfare,
zoos also serve the animals by preserving them. Examples of this would be conserving
endangered species and preventing sicki animals from taking out an entire species by
quarantining and treating them.
There are also many ways zoos are beneficial for humans. They not only educate younger
generation by teaching and fostering a respect and care for animals but also educate the older
generations by renewing and reminding them with knowledge and care for the animals. They
educate all generations about different species and their unique characteristics and quirks and
also their challenges. Zoos also foster a relationship between animals and humans. Zoos allow us
to get close and personal with animals and thereby strengthening the bond between humans and
animals. They also the arch us about Gods order of creation and reestablish our place over them.
When we visit a zoo and get to interact and experience things with animals that we don’t
normally get we benefit from the pure enjoyment of learning about these about these incredible
creatures and their own unique characteristics. By attending zoos we build a connection with the
animals and learn about the problems they face we want to help them and support them by
donating money. Zoos always help to further scientific advancement. Zoos provide close
access to wild animals that they wouldn’t typically get in the wild and there
by allowing us to study them. They also provide us with the information
needed to save species and their habitats. Most importantly zoos are an
important tool to aid us in fulfilling the creation mandate. How can we obey
the creation mandate without even knowing the creatures we are supposed
to have dominion over? Zoos allow us the space, community, facilities and
animals so that we can know these animals at a closer level. Because the
animals that are in zoos live in the wilderness, we would never get a safe
chance to know or admire them closely. Zoos also teach us all about these
animals in a concrete and collective way that is both enjoyable and
informative. It is necessary for us to learn about the animals God has placed
us over so that we can better rule over the, and adapt to their needs. Zoos
also allow us to protect and nurture these animals because of the resources
and facilities and therefore fulfilling the mandate by caring for the creatures
God has placed us over. We are able to keep the endangered species alive by
preserving them and keeping them safe in protected facilities.We have
medicine and trained nurses that are able to heal and protect the animals
from disease or anything that may kill them off.
