It’s impossible to justify zoo’s as a sites of animal conservation when the animals “natural” habitats are being destroyed. “In situ” conservation is the only option. Also, the zoo clings on to a claim that contemporary people have broken their relation with nature and that zoo’s are needed to build environmental awareness and empathy towards nature. This is a noble idea but based on cliches and it does even justify the captivity of exotic animals.
Zoo animals should be curated using regionally specific animals. The Helsinki Zoo should only keep horses! This would make for a world class attraction and benefit human-animal interactions.