ABSTRACT
How good are the arguments that are typically offered in defense of zoos? This chapter tries to answer that question. Along the way, it draws a sharp contrast between valuing animals as individuals and valuing animals as instances of species. This difference explains many disagreements between animal advocates and conservationists about certain standard practices in zoos. The chapter makes a number of practical recommendations concerning ways that zoos could be improved. It concludes with some personal reflections on the ethics of visiting zoos—or, rather, on visiting zoos more ethically.
