Animals
Protecting wild animals
For
People have a responsibility to protect the species on this planet
Loss of species can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem
Biodiversity is essential for the well-being of the planet
New medicines and treatments can be found by studying animal species
It is the only way some species can be protected from extinction
Against
It is too costly. It involves law enforcement, research, and security
Humans should be prioritized over animals
Money should be spent on education and healthcare for people
Species will become extinct. It is part of life
Not all are worth saving. Some animals are dangerous
Zoos
For
Zoos provide a safe environment for endangered species
Zoos educate people to respect wild animals
Zoos offer professionally run breeding programmes
Zoos sometimes provide rehabilitation programmes for animals going back into the wild
Animals should have the right to live in their natural habitat
Against
Some animals suffer cruelty at the hands of zookeepers, staff or visitors
Holding wild animals in captivity is wrong
People do not learn to respect animals if these are held behind bars
The cages and enclosures are often too small for animals
Some animals live in social groups in the wild and cannot adapt to a solitary life in a zoo
Zoos are artificial environments that constrain an animal’s natural behavior