Why are aquariums controversial?

Animals in an aquarium are confined in relatively small tanks and can get bored and frustrated. In an effort to provide more natural environments for the animals, different species are often kept together, which lead to predatory animals attacking or eating their tank mates.



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If aquariums consider the whole picture, from tank size to species acquisition, it could be as close to ethical as animal rights activists could encourage. Creating sustainable aquariums requires humans to acknowledge the negative effects as well so they can be prevented.

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Until the 20 th century, there was little or no concern for the welfare of zoo animals. It was not until the late 1970s and early 1980s that the appearance of zoos began to change to reflect the public opinion; this transition took place as people were educated about the true conditions endured by zoo animals.

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Even with some endangered species in their care, zoos don't spend much time preparing animals for release in the wild.

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Zoos do a lot for conservation. There are dedicated species survival programs which have helped species come out from the brink of extinction, good examples of that being the black-footed ferrets, the red wolves, the Przewalski's wild horse, and the California condors.

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