It was in 1826 that the Zoological Society was founded in London. In 1867, the title was shortened to zoo. Later on, in 1892, the Englishman Henry Salt, in his book Animal Rights, was one of the first to pro test against keeping animals in cages. He did not like the idea because of the way the animals were confined and also the way animals in zoos "lose their character." Since then, many people have criticized zoos íor these reasons. However, zoos claim that their role is to educate the public and conserve animals. These aims are not bad in themselves. It is the way in which they are carried out that we must consider.
Zoos claim that they have an important educational function. Is this true? In reality, most people go to zoos for entertainment. This is what sells the tickets and pays the bills. Zoos say they give people the opportunity to see the wonders of nature and its wild animals. In fact, they are showing us animals that have lost their dignity: animals with sad and empty eyes.