Zoos vs Sanctuaries - What's the Difference

See how Sanctuaries are helping animals in a much different way than how zoos operate.



The Wild Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. EIN: 84-1351483

[skycastleberry]

And do not be confused just because some of these places say they are sanctuaries they really are not. The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado is one of the few that is actually a sanctuary.

[judyfrey]

Bout time they have this for The Animals 👍🏾👍🏾🤟

[katherinee.]

This just… isn’t true. Neither zoos or sanctuaries are better than the other, they just play different roles. Accredited, reputable zoos play two primary roles: public education and scientific research/conservation. They do massive amounts of scientific research, as well as field conservation. Videos like this paint zoos out to be bad because they breed their animals and allow the public to visit, not realizing that they breed their animals to create insurance populations in case their wild counterparts go extinct and they allow the public to visit in order to educate them and raise funds for their scientific research and conservation. Hundreds of species, such as the California condor, Przewalski’s horse, black-footed ferret, and many small amphibians and reptiles (which are more likely to be ignored by non-zoo wildlife organizations since they aren’t “cute”) have been bred in zoos and reintroduced into the wild by them, directly saving them from extinction.. Zoos produce massive amounts of educational material for the general public, and scientific research even indicates that the public cares more about wildlife after having visited a zoo. Just read “The Ark and Beyond: The Evolution of Zoo and Aquarium Conservation”, a book by the prestigious University of Chicago. Sanctuaries, on the other hand, take in wild animals from bad situations, such as being pets or in circuses, and give them a better life. They don’t breed in order to provide more space for rescued animals. Sanctuaries play an important role because since zoos are more focused on conservation, they typically don’t have the space to take in extra animals (although there are some exceptions, such as the Oakland Zoo’s recent tiger rescues and the famous gorilla Ivan, who was rescued from a mall and went to live at Zoo Atlanta). Sanctuaries don’t contribute to science/conservation like zoos, but they rescue individual precious lives that would have nowhere else to go. It’s clear that sanctuaries and zoos need to work together for the welfwre of all animals. This video is clearly just a sanctuary trying to get more public support by bashing its colleagues. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennesse already has collaborated with zoos and taken in elephants that they didn’t have the means to care for. If sanctuaries attack zoos out of pure ignorance, it’s ultimately the animals who suffer, because sanctuaries and zoos need to work together! Support your local accredited sanctuary *AND* your local accredited zoo! The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, is the best zoo accreditor, with strict welfare requirements and incredible conservation programs. Also, both zoos and sanctuaries have the potential to be bad- whenever a cruel animal facility gets exposed, people are quick to call it a “roadside zoo” even if it would be considered a sanctuary by its function. Any place can call itself a sanctuary while actually being cruel, it doesn’t automatically imply that it’s some perfect heavenly paradise for animals as this video implies.

[ROWLETFAN]

ZOOS SAVE ANIMALS WHY DO SO MANY PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE JAILS (f and s word)

[Akutheos]

I would love to build a sanctuary like this for feral dogs and cats.

[Wildwiki]

It doesn’t matter which is better, they are still very good

[OliviaMontenegro-hv]

The only zoo i went to was in a place i can't remember its somewhere near sadila i think it was a zoo my brother and his friend took me to for my 9th birthday it was the best zoo i ever seen in my entire life big enclosures and good habitats deco and dens for animals so they can move away from the glass and hide for a bit so they don't get stressed but i do think wildlife Sanctuarys are better since some zoos out there are cruel and they keep animals in small enclosures deco or none and sometimes will have 2 different species inside one enclosure which is bad for territorial instincts since all animals are territorial animals will fight the different species or worse (kill them) people go to zoos not only for entertainment but also admire the creatures god made no one wants to see animals getting treated like trash animals are not toys and they should be respected❤

[glenngilbert]

I think your concept of a zoo is rather narrow and quite misleading. Good zoos do an amazing job of ensuring animals lead a comfortable life, with plenty of enrichment and their contribution to saving endangered species and education should not be underestimated. I believe sanctuaries are excellent for abused animals and they do an essential job of rescuing animals from horrific conditions around the world....but please don't minimise the importance and value of zoos.

The reason there is such a need for rescuing animals in the US and some other countries is because there is less control over who can keep what, thereby allowing irresponsible people to own creatures they cannot provide suitable conditions for.

Incidentally I've visited over 250 zoos in my life time, and whilst I agree there are some awful places that should be closed down, I have always and always will support both zoos and sanctuaries.

[amemestar]

Bro not all zoos are bad. There are some zoos who take good care of the animals and have massive enclosures for the animals.

[samschmit]

Why can't there just be a zoo that _doubles_ as an animal sanctuary?

[wwb]

I thought the circus was meant to entertain not the zoo

[li-ma-mu]

the only thing that bothers me is the lack of trees and bushes in your enclosures ... also i couldnt see natural water ... or is this just a wrong conclusion?