Costa Rica Closing Its Zoos
Posted on August 7, 2013 by
The Costa Rican government has decided to close its two zoos, the Simon Bolivar Zoo and Santa Ana Conservation Center. Most of the 400 animals, of 60 different species, will be released back into the wild. Animals not able to be reintroduced into their native habitats will be sent to rescue centers. Costa Rica has one of the most biological diversities in the world, and majority of the animals were local to the country. The zoos themselves will become botanical gardens, of sorts, where animals will be allowed to come and go. This is the latest conservation effort by the Costa Rica Environment Ministry, which previously banned circuses and sport hunting.
The decision comes days after India declared dolphins as "non-human persons," and banned all public and private dolphin shows in India.
What do you think? Are zoos inhumane? Do animals have rights that prevent them from being captive and on display? Or do zoos perform a valuable role to protect threatened species while educating people about the animals and their environments?
Source: Popular Science
The decision comes days after India declared dolphins as "non-human persons," and banned all public and private dolphin shows in India.
What do you think? Are zoos inhumane? Do animals have rights that prevent them from being captive and on display? Or do zoos perform a valuable role to protect threatened species while educating people about the animals and their environments?
Source: Popular Science
