I Love Zoos

Check out the darling red panda cubs born in Australia. I don't get people who object to zoos on principle. Their conservation and breeding programs are crucial and they engage the public's interest in animals. Without pictures like those above, how are we going to get people to care above saving the red panda's habitat or catching poachers? I can understand objections to keeping large and/or intelligent animals like elephants in small areas, but people still need to be able to see and experience these animals up close. Say what you will about training Shamu to perform in a tank at Sea World, but what do you think the average American thought of orcas ("killer whale" isn't a term of endearment) before so many of us had seen them as friendly theme park mascots? I seriously doubt they'd greenlight a movie like this today.