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Alan Crum
Mrs. Harrell
English 4 Honors
November 12, 2014
Making a Difference
Animals are facing danger all over the world. Whether it be the melting of the polar
regions or the destruction of the rain forests animals are facing threats every day. Animals
habitats are being destroyed and they cannot do anything in their power to stop this occurrence.
The only way to save the animals is for people to step up and take charge. People have to be the
salvation to animals. There are many groups out in the world that are looking for ways to help
animals preserve their environments. Zoos are one of those groups and they are starting to
recognize that animals are being neglected and there needs to be some kind of change. Due to
natural and human interference that leads to habitat and environmental destruction, zoos are now
starting to create methods to make exhibits feel more like the natural homes the animals had in
the wild.
In todays day and age, zoos have standards that they must follow to inhabit the animals
they care for in their zoos. These standards are like codes to protect the animals from being
abused in any type of way. The standards are beneficial to the animals like zoos must have
adequate resources to ensure the provision of suitable and acceptable care, veterinary attention,
security and accommodation that meet the behavioral, social, and physiological needs of the
animals (Hugh 15) and zoos must have documented animal management plans and devote
resources to the captive breeding of endangered species and restocking native populations into
their natural habitat (Hugh 15). Some zoos are used to help repopulate the planet of that species

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they are trying to breed and set back into their native habitat. These codes are used to make sure
the animals are not receiving unfair treatment as they are in zoos. Animals deserve the best
treatment possible while they are in the hands of the peoples care. If people are not willing to
follow these standards for zoos then they might as well as let them back in the wild, it would
probably be better than the unsuitable zoo.
Many zoos are going above and beyond the standards that are required for zoos. A
numerous amount of zoos are beginning to add little tweaks to their zoos to make animal exhibits
feel more like the animals natural habitat. The trick is to provide variety. Zoo keepers give
animals new experiences and let them make choices (Newman 18). It is the little things that the
animals like. Environments change daily and zoos are starting to recognize this and know that by
giving the animals change they will feel like they are in the wild. This new found method has
proven a success with many different species. This environmental enrichment can range from
redesigning a chimp enclosure to giving pandas a toy to play with (Newman 18). Animals today
are experiencing new lives in zoos than ever before.
Zoos are stepping up and making a difference for animals all of the world. People are
giving animals a chance to survive. They are stepping up and are continuing to make a difference
each and every day. With the destruction of natural environments there is almost no other type of
home for animals other than zoos. Animals are powerless to do anything about trying to stop the
world from changing. The world continues to change and environments are lost. Zoos are doing
a fantastic job in maintaining the hope of the future of some animals on this planet. These people
are the types that are trying to save animals around the globe. Without people like them there
would be no salvation for animals around the world.

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Work Cited
Hugh Wirth Dr. Hugh Wirth is a veterinarian and president of RSPCA Victoria. He is the
immediate past president of RSPCA Australia and the World Society for the Protection
of, Animals. "How to help zoo animals." Age, The (Melbourne) 25 Jan. 2008: 15.
Newspaper Source Plus. Web. 11 Nov. 2014.
Newman, Aline Alexander. "Animal Fun & Games At The Zoo." National Geographic Kids 350
(2005): 18. MAS Ultra - School Edition. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.