what is a zoo essay

Essay on Zoo for Students and Children

500 words essay on zoo.

The world is a huge place to see. It consists of so many living organisms that it is impossible to see each and every one of them. Especially for human beings, who are fascinated very much by animals. For the same reasons, zoos were created so that humans can interact better with animals.

In other words, a zoo is a facility that has animals, birds, and reptiles of all kinds. They are confined to space where they are given food and medical facilities. The government has given strict guidelines to maintain a zoo. This is done keeping in mind the animal’s safety. In addition, zoos are made breeding grounds for animals to protect their species.

Benefits of Zoo

Zoos were made to bring wildlife closer to humans. It gave humans a better and up-close view of them. This allows various researchers and scientists to note the behavioral pattern of the animals. It helps them in their studies and discover new things.

In addition, zoos are a great source of entertainment for kids. They love visiting zoos and interacting with animals. This helps them learn practical knowledge about the animal. It also gives them exposure to wildlife and widens their knowledge.

Furthermore, zoos give us easy access to rare animals. Had it not been for zoos, we would have never been able to see what some animals looked like. We enjoy their behavior and it also creates awareness about the extinction of the rare species.

Similarly, zoos are a safe breeding ground for animals. They ensure the animal breeds so they never go extinct. This helps in creating a good balance. Moreover, the zoos ensure the animals get all the nutrition in their bodies to lead a healthy life. This is beneficial as the animal may not get guaranteed meals in the forests.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Disadvantages of Zoo

While the zoo is a great place for entertainment, it is also very exploitive. It takes advantage of the poor animals to make a profit off them. The zoos keep animals in very bad conditions. It takes unethical methods just to create revenue.

Furthermore, zoos are very unfair to animals. They take the animals out of their natural habitats just for the sake of human entertainment. Why would the animals be put into cages as humans want them to? They are voiceless creatures who are being forced to live in poor conditions. Imagine putting humans into cages so animals could come to see them. It sounds inhumane the other way around but not when we do the same to animals.

Most importantly, zoos do not take proper care of exotic animals. They bring them over in their facility despite knowing that they cannot survive in that climate. Some zoos do not take enough precautionary measures to keep the animals safe. This has resulted in so many deaths of animals that it seems cruel.

In short, though zoos are very helpful to humans and animals to an extent. They must be monitored constantly to ensure the animals are safe. The unethical zoos must be shut down at once to prevent any further loss of animals.

FAQs on Zoo

Q.1 List the advantages of Zoo

A.1 Zoos bring the wildlife close to humans. It helps researchers study them closely and discover new things. It protects rare species and provides a safe breeding ground for them as well.

Q.2 How are zoos harmful to animals?

A.2 Zoos are very harmful to animals. They take them out of their natural habitat for human entertainment. They make them stay in poor conditions due to which they also lose their life and get infections.

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A Visit to a Zoo Essay in English [100, 150, 200, 250, 500 Words]

A Visit to a Zoo Essay in English: A zoo is a place where animals and birds are put on display for people to view. In this article, you are going to learn how to write an essay or a paragraph on a visit to a zoo in English. Here we’ve provided 5 short and long essays ( 100, 150, 200, 250, and 500 words). These essays/paragraphs will be helpful for the students from class 1 to class 12. So, let’s begin.

Table of Contents

A Visit to a Zoo Essay: 100 Words

A visit to the Zoo is always very interesting. Last Sunday I went to the Delhi Zoo with my friends. First of all we saw apes and monkeys in different cages. They were climbing up and down their cage. In other cages, tigers, lions, bears, foxes, wolves, and zebras were kept.

We also saw deer and kangaroos. Next, we saw many varieties of birds like cranes, ducks, pigeons, parrots, kingfishers, owls, etc. We also saw our national bird peacock in the zoo. Then we came to the glass houses. Animals of different kinds and colour were kept in them. At last, we enjoyed an elephant ride and returned home.

Also Read: A Visit to a Historical Place Essay

Essay on a Visit to a Zoo: 150 Words

Last Sunday, I visited a zoo with my family. First, we went round the bird’s section. We saw parrots, sparrows, pigeons, peacocks, eagles, and vultures. Then we saw the cages of wild animals like tigers, lions, and leopards. A lion was walking up and down restlessly. It often roared furiously. The baby tigers were playing in their cage.

We saw the deer park, where only the deer were kept. We also saw zebras, bears, foxes, giraffes, a hippo, and a rhino. Then we went to the huge enclosure where the elephants were kept. They were eating grasses, leaves, and bananas. We enjoyed watching the monkeys.

We saw serpents, pythons, and cobras. Next, we saw many swans and ducks swimming gracefully in a big pool of water. The crocodiles lay Lazily near the water. We also saw a tank which contained small fishes of fine colours. We had a great fun at the zoo.

A Visit to Zoo Essay: 200 Words

A zoo is a place where animals and birds are kept for public display. We, the three friends, went to the Alipore Zoo, Kolkata. We saw two elephants, tied with iron chains by their hind legs. The visitors offered them bananas or nuts which they gladly accepted and swallowed. We were greatly amused to see the huge animals from so near.

Then we visited the bird’s section. There were hundreds of birds. They were of various colours and had lovely plumage (feathers). Their chirping produced soft music. The twittering of sparrows was very pleasant to the ear. At some distance, there was a big pool of water. Many ducks and swans were swimming gracefully in it. We also saw a tank which contained small fishes of fine colours.

Then we came to the cages of tigers, panthers, leopards and lions. They were wonderful. The serpent house gave us a new experience. We saw there various types of snakes on the first floor. Then we saw the bisons, the camels, the ostriches and the bats. The zebras and giraffes were really beautiful who looked innocent and friendly.

It was about 2 P.M when we had taken some light refreshment in the zoo canteen. In this way, we passed the day with much delight and acquired a wonderful experience.

Also Read: A Journey by Train Essay 

A Visit to a Zoo Essay: 250 Words

A Visit To A Zoo is very thrilling. I went to see the zoo with my younger brother. One is surprised to see such a variety of animals and birds. It was an interesting sight. First of all, we saw the monkeys. They were of many kinds and very amusing. We offered some nuts to them.

Then we came to the lions. They looked very fierce and majestic. They were kept in an open place enclosed with high iron railings. Sometimes they roared terribly. Next, we saw the tigers. They had yellow skins with black stripes on them. In the next two cages, there were a wolf and a fox. The wolf was sleeping, but the fox was walking within the cage.

Then we saw the long-necked giraffe, the dark-striped zebra, the thick-skinned rhinoceros, and a huge elephant with beautiful ivory tusks. We were very pleased to see them. After this, we came to the glass houses where reptiles were kept. There were snakes, cobras, and serpents. Some of them looked fearful. We did not stay there long.

Then we came to the fences where peacocks were kept. It was a treat to see one of them in his pride (i.e. with his tail spread like a fan).

We stayed three for three hours. We were tired. At last, we went to the cafe and had some refreshment and tea. Then we returned home. We enjoyed our visit very much.

Essay on a Visit to a Zoo: 500 Words

Introduction:.

Everyone needs relaxation and an occasional deviation from the drudgeries of daily existence. A visit to a zoo can offer him these. At the same time, it is a learning experience. It was with this intention that visited the Alipore Zoological Garden last 25th December with some of my friends. This visit was memorable because it was both enjoyable and educational.

Entering the Zoo:

We reached the gate of the zoo in a taxi around 10 am. One has to buy tickets to enter the zoo. A number of visitors were already standing in a queue before the ticket counter. We stood behind them, got our tickets and entered the big arena of the zoo.

Various Types of Birds and Animals:

We crossed the green sward and were greeted by varieties of monkeys in cages. Monkeys and baboons were jumping on the trees within their enclosures. When some people threw food at them, they immediately jumped down from the trees to eat. Some children were making faces at them.

Then, we came across a beautiful lake in which some water birds like ducks and swans were present. There were some migratory birds as well. As we moved, we came to the big netted enclosure in which birds were kept. There were sparrows, parrots, and many other birds. Most of them were twittering, chirping and whistling. But the owls were sitting with their eyes closed as if they were lost in deep thought. The chirping of the birds went on ringing deep in my heart. In their songs, I heard the voice of nature to which the whole universe surrendered. I felt that all was right with the world.

We visited the tigers, lions, zebras, giraffes, rhinos and elephants. Roars of the lions and the tigers were deafening. We found a tiger pacing restlessly with its bloodshot eyes. It was strongly built.

Then we came across a garden in which stags and deer were frisking about. These animals were very agile and beautiful.

Our next halt was at the aquarium section. There were fishes of many species and colours. To see them swimming to and fro in the water was really a rewarding experience. Just beside this enclosure, was the cage of a black bear. It attracted a mammoth gathering. The bear was playing many tricks that thrilled us. Some people offered it eatables which it gulped at once.

Leaving the Zoo:

At about 2 pm, feeling tired, we rested and relaxed on the grassy ground for half an hour. The fragrance of flowers coming from somewhere was really soothing. We again began to stroll around the zoo after having our lunch. We saw a variety of amphibians like crocodiles, snakes, frogs, and a variety of other creatures. Then we hired a boat and enjoyed a short pleasurable ride in the canal. It was around 5 pm when we came out of the zoo. We boarded a bus, casting our last and lingering look on the zoo.

Conclusion:

I reached home in a cheerful mood. This visit refreshed my mind and deepened my awareness of the animal world.

Read More: 1. Essay on a Visit to a Historical Place 2. Essay on a Visit to a Book Fair 3. Essay on a Visit to a Hill Station

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In this IELTS Zoo Essay you have to discuss whether you think zoos are cruel and should be shut down or whether they are useful as they protect some wild animals.

Essays on zoos have appeared in the IELTS test before and this was a question that was recently in the test.

Some people think that zoos are all cruel and should be closed down. Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

Discuss both opinions and give your own opinion.

Understanding the Question

You must always read the question carefully and note if there is anything restricting the topic.

You have to discuss both sides of the argument and with this zoo essay question it would be very easy to read it and then simply write about the benefits and drawbacks of zoos.

But look at this bit carefully:

• Others however believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals .

One of the arguments is specifically about protecting animals. So when you discuss the second argument you must be careful not to just write generally about the advantage of zoos. 

You have to focus on how they may protect wild animals . So when you brainstorm your ideas for the zoo essay, you should be thinking about:

• why animals need protecting and
• how zoos can help with this 

And in your other body paragraph you would need to explain why they are also seen as cruel. 

And of course you must remember to give your own opinion. In this essay, the author makes it clear at the beginning that they support the closing down of zoos. 

The opinion you decide on though is of course your choice.

Zoo Essay Sample

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own experience or knowledge.

Write at least 250 words.

Zoo Essay Model Answer

Zoos remain popular places for people to visit for entertainment and to learn about wild animals. Although some people are of the opinion that zoos can provide a sanctuary for endangered animals and so should be kept open, I believe that the cruelty that animals suffer outweighs this benefit, and that they should be shut down.

These days, animals are under threat from humans in many ways, seen for example in the way that their habitats are being destroyed through the cutting down of rain forests, or through poaching. Following on from this, the argument is that zoos can protect some of these animals that are under threat. The reason is that they are in a safe environment managed by trained staff who can ensure the animals are looked after and can produce offspring. There are examples of successes in this respect, such as with Pandas, which have been endangered for many years but have been protected.

However, there are more convincing arguments for why zoos should be shut down. Firstly, even though some species are under threat, there are lots of animals which do not fall into this category and who are there just for the entertainment of visitors. While it may be fun and educational to see them, animals are not meant to be caged, and their distress can often be seen in the way many of them pace back and forwards all day. Not only this, if the prime reason of zoos is to protect animals, this could be done in other environments such as wild life parks where the animals have more freedom.

In conclusion, animals should be protected but this does not have to be in zoos. Zoos are cruel to animals, not similar enough to their natural habitat, and they should be closed down. 

(299 Words)

Band scores are given for task response, coherence and cohesion, lexis (vocabulary) and grammatical range and accuracy. 

This zoo essay would get a good score for task response as it fully answers the question by discussing both opinions and giving a personal opinion. Ideas are also well explained, extended and supported. 

It would get a good score for coherence and cohesion as it is organised coherently and logically and is easy to follow. The introduction introduces the topic then there is a thesis statement.

One body paragraph discusses one side of the argument, and the other discusses the other side. The second body paragraph is also the writers opinion, and this is summarised again in the conclusion

.There is some interesting vocabulary and phrases. For example:

• sanctuary for endangered animals
• under threat from humans
• habitats are being destroyed
• produce offspring
• successes in this respect
• not meant to be caged
• natural habitat

There are also some good complex grammatical constructions and the grammar is precise. For example, the red words show that some of these are  adverbial clauses ,  noun clauses  and  relative clauses :

• Although  some people are of the opinion  that  zoos can provide a sanctuary for endangered animals...
• ...seen for example  in the way that  their habitats are being destroyed...
• ...the argument is  that  zoos can protect some of these animals who are under threat.
• ...trained staff  who  can ensure the animals are looked after...
• Pandas  who  have been endangered...
• ... even though  some species are under threat...
• ... While  it may be fun and educational...

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Are zoos a good thing.

How do you feel about keeping animals in zoos? Read both sides of the argument to help you decide.

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Zoos are hugely popular attractions for adults and children alike. But are they actually a good thing?

Critics of zoos would argue that animals often suffer physically and mentally by being enclosed. Even the best artificial environments can't come close to matching the space, diversity, and freedom that animals have in their natural habitats. This deprivation causes many zoo animals to become stressed or mentally ill. Capturing animals in the wild also causes much suffering by splitting up families. Some zoos make animals behave unnaturally: for example, marine parks often force dolphins and whales to perform tricks. These mammals may die decades earlier than their wild relatives, and some even try to commit suicide.

On the other hand, by bringing people and animals together, zoos have the potential to educate the public about conservation issues and inspire people to protect animals and their habitats. Some zoos provide a safe environment for animals which have been mistreated in circuses, or pets which have been abandoned. Zoos also carry out important research into subjects like animal behaviour and how to treat illnesses.

One of the most important modern functions of zoos is supporting international breeding programmes, particularly for endangered species. In the wild, some of the rarest species have difficulty in finding mates and breeding, and they might also be threatened by poachers, loss of their habitat and predators. A good zoo will enable these species to live and breed in a secure environment. In addition, as numbers of some wild species drop, there is an increased danger of populations becoming too genetically similar. Breeding programmes provide a safeguard: zoo-bred animals can be released into the wild to increase genetic diversity.

However, opponents of zoos say that the vast majority of captive breeding programmes do not release animals back into the wild. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos but also to circuses or hunting ranches in the US or South Africa, where some people are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to kill an animal in a fenced enclosure. Often, these animals are familiar with humans and have very little chance of escaping.

So, are zoos good for animals or not? Perhaps it all depends on how well individual zoos are managed, and the benefits of zoos can surely outweigh their harmful effects. However, it is understandable that many people believe imprisoning animals for any reason is simply wrong.

Check your understanding: true or false

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What do you think about zoos? Are they a good thing, or is it cruel to keep animals in captivity?

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ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

A zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. The word “zoo” is short for “zoological park."

Biology, Social Studies, World History

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A zoo is a place where animals live in captivity and are put on display for people to view. The word “ zoo ” is short for “ zoological park.” Zoos contain wide varieties of animals that are native to all parts of the Earth. Though people have kept wild animals for thousands of years, those collections have not always resembled modern zoos . The first zoos were created as private collections by the wealthy to show their power. These private collections were called menageries . Wall carvings found in Egypt and Mesopotamia are evidence that rulers and aristocrats created menageries as early as 2500 BCE. They left records of expeditions to distant places to bring back exotic animals such as giraffes, elephants, bears, dolphins, and birds. There is evidence that ancient zoo owners hired animal handlers to make sure their animals thrived and reproduced . Zoos also existed in later civilizations , including China, Greece, and Rome. The Aztec emperor Montezuma II , in what is today Mexico, maintained one of the earliest animal collections in the Western Hemisphere . It was destroyed by Hernan Cortes during the Spanish conquest in 1520. Modern Zoos The model of the modern, public zoo became popular in 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment . The Age of Enlightenment was a period in European history when science , reason , and logic were promoted as ideals of society and government . The scientific focus of the Age of Enlightenment extended to zoology . During this time, people started wanting to study animals for scientific reasons . Scientists wanted to research animal behavior and anatomy . To do this, scientists and zookeepers had to keep animals in places that were close to, or resembled , the animals’ natural habitats . The first modern zoo , built in 1793, opened in Paris, France. The menageries of French aristrocrats, including the king and queen, were taken by leaders of the French Revolution and relocated to the Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes. The facility is still a busy and popular zoo in downtown Paris. Early zoos like the Menagerie du Jardin des Plantes were more like museums of living animals than natural habitats . Animals were kept in small display areas, with as many species as space would allow. Today, zoos are meant to entertain and educate the public but have a strong emphasis on scientific research and species conservation . There is a trend toward giving animals more space and recreating natural habitats . Zoos are usually regulated and inspected by the government . Types of Zoos Urban and Suburban Zoos Urban zoos , located in large cities, still resemble the smaller zoos that were popular 200 years ago. Often, these zoos sit in the middle of cities, making expansion difficult. There is little room for urban zoos to grow, and many of the zoo ’s buildings are historic landmarks that cannot be destroyed or redesigned. In many urban zoos , animals are kept in relatively small enclosures . Some animal activists argue that keeping animals in urban settings is cruel because of cramped conditions, noise, and pollution. Urban zoos are common in Europe, while many zoos in the United States developed as sprawling parks in suburbs outside cities. These open-range zoos give animals more territory to roam and provide more natural habitats . This popular technique of building realistic habitats is called landscape immersion . The San Diego Zoo , in southern California, is the largest zoo in the United States. It is a sub urban zoo that houses more than 4,000 animals (800 different species) in its 0.4 square kilometers (100 acres). Landscape immersion divides animals into their natural habitats , such as the tundra (with reindeer and polar bears) or bamboo forest (featuring pandas.) The San Diego Zoo also includes a wild animal park, which is even more expansive (almost 8 square kilometers or 2,000 acres.) Safari Parks Larger than urban and open-range zoos , safari parks are areas where tourists can drive their own cars to see non-native wildlife living in large, enclosed areas. These attractions allow the animals more space than the small enclosures of traditional zoos . Fuji Safari Park , in Susono, Japan, offers a traditional zoo as well as a drive-through safari park . Visitors can take their own cars or one of the park’s buses. Fuji Safari Park offers night tours, so visitors can see nocturnal animals, or animals that are active at night. At the park, visitors can also feed some animals, such as lions, from bus windows. Not all parks encourage or even allow visitors to feed animals.

Safari parks , especially in Europe, are often part of larger theme parks or resorts . They include golf courses and fairground attractions, such as games and rides. Game Reserves Game reserves are large swaths of land whose ecosystems and native species are protected. The protections allow animals to live and reproduce at natural rates. Animals are allowed to roam free. In the 1800s, a trip to hunt “ big game ” (large animals such as elephants or lions) was called a safari . While some game reserves allow traditional hunting safaris today, others limit visitors to a “photo safari ,” where visitors can shoot photographs, not animals. Animals in all game reserves are protected from illegal hunting , which is a threat to many endangered species . Legal hunts are regulated by the government . Hunters must purchase licenses and are strictly limited to the type and number of animals they can hunt . Poachers , or hunters without licenses, kill animals for valuable body parts. Elephants, for example, are killed by poachers for their ivory tusks. There are game reserves in Asia, the Americas, and Australia. However, most game reserves are in Africa. Millions of visitors flock to sites across Africa to see the same animals that captivated audiences thousands of years ago. The biggest attractions are Africa’s “ Big Five ” species—lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and water buffalo. The Big Five are not Africa’s largest species (although the elephant is): They are the most difficult to find and, when legal, to hunt . Only recently has a single zoo , Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa, offered all Big Five animals in one place. Gondwana sits on 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) near the center of South Africa’s southern coast . Like many large game reserves , Gondwana has diverse ecosystems that occur naturally and has no need for landscape immersion . In Gondwana, grasslands coexist with shrubland called fynbos . Visitors to Gondwana, like many game reserves , can stay in hotels right in the park. Petting zoos Petting zoos feature domesticated animals that are gentle enough for children to pet and feed. Sheep, goats, donkeys, and rabbits are common petting zoo animals. These types of zoos are found at parks and inside of larger zoos . Sometimes mobile petting zoos travel with fairs or carnivals from city to city. Specialization Most zoos have specialized enclosures and habitats for specific animals. Zoos in cold climates , such as Novosibirsk, Russia, must recreate warm ecosystems for animals like lemurs . Lemurs are a type of primate native to the island of Madagascar, off Africa’s east coast . The summer temperatures of both Siberia and Madagascar are about the same—around 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit). However, Madagascar receives about 200 to 250 millimeters (8 to 10 inches) of rain each summer, making it a humid jungle environment. Novosibirsk gets just 60 to 65 millimeters (2 to 3 inches) of rain and snow. The difference in winter temperatures is even more drastic : Madagascar is about 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit). Lemurs ’ fur can keep them warm at this temperature . Winter in Novosibirsk is -10 degrees Celsius (13 degrees Fahrenheit). The Novosibirsk Zoo has two species of lemur with a specialized heated enclosure with high humidity . Some zoos are dedicated entirely to certain species. Aquariums are types of zoos that exclusively house aquatic animals. The Sydney Aquarium in Australia has exhibits of all of Australia’s major water systems and is home to more than 650 native Australian species. Aviaries and bird parks are another type of specialized zoo . The Jurong Bird Park in Singapore has more than 8,000 birds of 600 species from around the world. Jurong has more than 1,000 flamingoes in an African wetlands exhibit that features a daily simulated thunderstorm . Conservation The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums , the international organization for zoos , is concerned with the health of animals in zoos . The focus of environmental efforts takes the form of research , captive breeding of rare animals, and conservation . Researchers at zoos can study animals up-close. They can observe behavior such as mating and nutrition choices. Biologists and veterinarians are also available to treat sick or injured animals. Captive breeding of endangered species makes zoos valuable places for animal survival. Animals such as the black soft-shelled turtle, native to India and Bangladesh, are extinct in the wild . But they survive in several zoos around the world, with their health looked after by biologists .

The goal of many captive breeding programs at zoos is the re-introduction of animals into the wild. The California condor , a very large bird native to the west coast of the United States, has been re-introduced to its native habitat after breeding in zoos and wildlife parks. There are several breeding pairs of California condors in the wild today. Critics of captive breeding programs say that releasing a few animals into the wild does little to help the species population. Animals are extinct in the wild largely due to loss of habitat . The re-introduction of animals, especially large mammals that require vast territory for survival, does nothing to recover lost habitat . People continue to develop land for homes and businesses. Zoos often have conservation projects in the native habitats of the animals they keep in captivity. For instance, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums established a partnership with people in rural Papua New Guinea to save tree kangaroos . These rare species are threatened by loss of habitat and the growing population of Papua New Guinea: Villagers hunt the tree kangaroo for meat. A zoo program introduced a rabbit-farming program to address the nutritional needs of the villagers. Zoos also set up conservation sites where the hunting of tree kangaroos was outlawed. While zoos have put more importance on conservation and humane animal treatment in recent decades, some critics say it is cruel to keep animals in captivity. Critics argue that living in captivity takes away wild animals’ natural behavior and instincts . Supporters of zoos say they play an important role in protecting endangered species .

Modern Menageries People still enjoy collecting animals to display in their private homes. The American entertainer Michael Jackson, for instance, had a menagerie that included tigers, giraffes, parrots, and, of course, his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles. The Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar kept an enormous private zoo that included elephants, buffalo, and camels. Some of Escobar's hippopotamuses, native to Africa, escaped into the Colombian jungle. After Escobar's death, the rest of the animals were sold or donated to zoos around the world.

City of Brotherly Animals The first zoo in the United States opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1874. The Philadelphia Zoo remains one of the most important zoos and facilities for breeding rare and endangered animals.

Zoo-Literacy Many books of fiction, nonfiction, and historical fiction concern zoos. Life of Pi is a novel by Canadian author Yann Martel. The father of the main character, Pi, is a zookeeper at the Pondicherry Zoo in India. When traveling across the Pacific Ocean, from India to Toronto, Canada, the boat carrying Pi, his family, and all the animals of the zoo sinks. The only survivors, alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean, are Pi and the zoo's Bengal tiger, whose name is Richard Parker. Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People, and War is a nonfiction book written by Yukio Tsuchiya and illustrated by Ted Levin. The book tells the story of three elephants of the Uneo Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, in the time leading up to World War II. Pride of Baghdad is a graphic novel written by Brian K. Vaughn and illustrated by Niko Henrichon. The factual story, of lions that escaped from the Baghdad Zoo as the war in Iraq began, is told from the lions' point of view.

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Essay on Zoo

A Zoo is an artificial home to various types of animals, birds, and reptiles. It is a big area safeguarded by wire, trenches and other hindrances so that animals cannot run away or causes any kind of harm to the visitors. There are usually different sections for different types of animals in the zoo. 

If any student is looking for a sample essay on the zoo, then they can take a look into the essay given in the following. The essay is written as per the usual structure. By referring to the essay, it will be easy to write on your own. Those who are using the Vedantu app can take a glance through the essay from the app itself. All these study materials are available for absolutely free of cost.

First of all, let's find the origin of the zoo. The word ‘zoo’ is actually a short form of ‘Zoological Park’. The first zoo was menageries, which is a private collection done by the wealthy to show their power. A zoo is a place where many different species of animals are kept so senders can enjoy them. Spreading knowledge about biological diversity in the world is the main motto of the creation of the zoo. Modern zoos are not only for the entertainment of people but also for the education, research and conservation of animals. ‘Arignar anna zoological park’ is the largest zoo in India located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This park is spread over 602 hectares which is almost 6 sq.km. A large number of crocodile, Lions and especially endangered species of Bengal Tiger is preserved in this zoo.

Captive breeding makes the zoos a valuable place for animal survival. The re-introduction of the animal species in the jungle is the basic aim behind many captive breeding programs at zoos. Many zoos are the centres where the rare animals are rescued when they are in danger of dying. Moreover, Zoos are categorized into several categories depending on a variety of factors. In which Urban and Suburban zoos are the leading one. As the name itself suggests, urban zoos are those zoos which are located in large cities. Often, these are found in the centre of the city. The animals are kept in less enclosure in most of these zoos. Due to noise, pollution and cramped conditions keeping animals in urban settings is not advisable by the zoologist. On the second hand, Suburban zoos are located in suburban areas and give more territory to roam and provide more natural habitat. 

The next one is Safari zoos. They are larger than urban and suburban zoos. Safari zoos are more attractive as they allow the vehicle to drive in the zoo to see the wildlife in the enclosed areas. Some zoos which are dedicated to certain species of animals are special zoos. The aquarium is a good example of it. Aquariums are the exclusive house for the aquatic animals. The Association of Zoos stated,“ Zoos and Aquariums are the best place for your family to get connected with nature.”

Zoos have put more significance on conservation and sufficient animal treatment in recent decades. Zoos are always focused on the preservation of nature. The initial and maintenance cost for developing the zoos is a little bit high. So, they cost a little amount of money from the audience. A day spent in the zoos has uncountable benefits to one's life. In young children, zoos create a love for animal parties. Research students focused very closely on each activity the particular animal is doing. Critics still have many points for arguments about zoos. Critics of the closed breeding programme said that ‘realizing some animal into the wild reduces the number of species. Wildlife is a natural resource. Due to a declining population, a large number of animals have become extinct in the wild.’  

FAQs on Zoo Essay

1. What are zoos?

A zoo is a place where many different species of animals are kept so spectators can watch them and entertain themselves. The word ‘zoo’ derives from ‘Zoological Park’.

2. Are zoos needed?

Yes, zoos are needed while there are a lot of controversies around it. The first reason is that the zoos protect endangered species by offering them much-needed shelter. Having lost their natural habitat, some animals rely on zoos for space, safety, and food. Zoos also give the opportunity to people to get close to wild or rare species animals so that they get to know about how they live or what they eat etc. In this way, zoo visitors especially the kids would develop an affection for these wild creatures and get to learn so much about them.

3. Give two disadvantages to zoos?

Yes, animals can be kept in a zoo because of several reasons. A good zoo will loof=k after an animal which will lead to prolonging the life of an animal. Meanwhile, these days zoos run various types of educational programs, which teach us everything we need to know about animals and educate us about the animals. These kinds of programmes also motivate us to protect animals as well. These all are possible as animals and their behaviours are closely observed in a zoo by the experts.

4. Where can I find an essay about the zoo?

We at Vedantu have provided a short essay on zoos. You can go through the essay and take reference from it to understand the pattern. You can get access to that essay directly from the website or you can download the app and take a look at it. These essays along with all the study materials are available on Vedantu site for free of cost.

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Essay Samples on Zoo

Ethical concerns: disadvantages of keeping animals in zoos.

Zoos have long been a source of fascination and entertainment for people of all ages. However, behind the veneer of entertainment and education lies a complex ethical dilemma. While zoos play a role in conservation and education, they also raise significant concerns regarding animal welfare,...

• Animal Welfare

Advantages of Keeping Animals in Zoos: Conservation and Education

Zoos have long been a source of fascination and learning for people of all ages. While the ethical considerations of keeping animals in captivity are widely debated, there are significant advantages to maintaining animals in zoos. These institutions play a vital role in conservation efforts,...

• Wildlife Conservation

Why Are Zoos Bad For Animals

There are many opinions about zoos. Some think they are good and others think they are horrible investments. Zoos are good because they provide protection against the species that are going extinct. They are also good because the provide an educational resource. The last reason...

Zoos Should Be Abolished: Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos

Animals are a beauty of nature. They have their own personalities, feelings, and interests, yet we still take them prisoner, throw them into tiny cages that are nothing like their natural habitat and leave them there to suffer just to make money. These horrific “tiny...

• Animal Cruelty
• Animal Ethics

Animal Cruelty And Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos

Until recently, the existence of zoos in our society was never something which we thought twice about. Zoos were widely accepted as educational and entertaining institutions. Children, and adults, love seeing animals, and a visit to the zoo has always been something we look forward...

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Role Of Zoos In Preservation Of Animal Species

Have you ever been to a place where a variety of animals are separated into different areas and having their own little spaces? People captured animals from different parts of the world and confined them to narrow places in order to create a place called...

Analysis Of Business Values And Strategies Of Zoo Victoria

Accessibility of Information With the invent of technology, online information has become easily accessible. The Vision, Mission and the values of Zoos Victoria are clearly mentioned on the website of the company. After opening the company’s website, different sections are available which clearly explains the...

• Strategic Planning

Analysis Of The Controversial Topic Of Zoo Ethics

One of the most controversial cases that has sparked huge debate over zoos had to do with a single gorilla. On May 28th, 2016, shots fired at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden grew to cause major waves throughout the world. After a 4 year...

Reasons Behind the High Research Value of Monkeys and Other Primates

For many years, primate species such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and gorillas have been some of the most popular areas of research. These three groups of animals are not part of a larger group, as chimpanzees and gorillas are the only ones that are part of...

The Arguments For and Against Zoo Building

I believe that everyone has been to or heard of a zoo before. People can see many animals from all over the world, animals that appeared in books or Television show are all in front of you. Isn’t it very wonderful to have zoos in...

Consider the Elephant: The Predicament of Captivity

It was the middle of another bustling day around the office, and I had already managed to douse myself in burning coffee. “Great!” I thought to myself, “It is my second week as a correspondent for Time Magazine, and I am already making a fool...

Analysis of Negotiating About Pandas For the San Diego Zoo Case

In the Negotiating About Pandas For the San Diego Zoo case, Douglas Myers, the zoo’s executive director, is involved an exceedingly difficult negotiation process to procure the long-term loan of two giant pandas from China. Although the zoo has previously loaned two giant pandas for...

Positive And Negative Aspects Of Keeping Animals In Zoos

I remember when I was 10 years old, I have a fun memory of going to the zoo with my family during the school holiday. The magnificent species in the zoo had surprised my view of the world. The birds, Orangutan, even the elephants, and...

Best topics on Zoo

1. Ethical Concerns: Disadvantages of Keeping Animals in Zoos

2. Advantages of Keeping Animals in Zoos: Conservation and Education

3. Why Are Zoos Bad For Animals

4. Zoos Should Be Abolished: Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos

5. Animal Cruelty And Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos

6. Role Of Zoos In Preservation Of Animal Species

7. Analysis Of Business Values And Strategies Of Zoo Victoria

8. Analysis Of The Controversial Topic Of Zoo Ethics

9. Reasons Behind the High Research Value of Monkeys and Other Primates

10. The Arguments For and Against Zoo Building

11. Consider the Elephant: The Predicament of Captivity

12. Analysis of Negotiating About Pandas For the San Diego Zoo Case

13. Positive And Negative Aspects Of Keeping Animals In Zoos

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Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Zoo — The Ethics and Controversies of Zoos

The Ethics and Controversies of Zoos

• Categories: Animal Ethics Zoo

About this sample

Words: 824 |

Published: Aug 24, 2023

Words: 824 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Conservation and education, animal welfare and enrichment, research and scientific study, human-animal connection and conservation awareness, ethical concerns and animal rights, alternative approaches: sanctuaries and natural habitats, case studies and success stories, captive breeding and reintroduction, conclusion: navigating the complex landscape of zoos and animal welfare.

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Essay On Zoo

500+ words essay on zoo and a visit to the zoo with my friends.

A zoo is an establishment, which houses and maintains a collection of wild and exotic animals, birds and insects for public display. These animals, which live in captivity, are housed in enclosures designed to look like their natural habitat. This allows people to observe and study these rare species of animals from close quarters. We share the world we live in with several different species of animals, birds, insects and other creatures. But the world is a vast place and not all animals can be found in one place. Zoos are a great way to help children and adults see rare and exotic animals and bring the wild closer to them. 

In this essay on Zoo, we learn about zoos and a visit to the zoo with my friends.

Also read: Essay on animals , essay on birds and essay on tiger .

Essay On Zoo: A Visit To The Zoo With My Friends

One bright sunny day, my friends and I decided to go to the zoo in our city. We packed a picnic basket with some sandwiches, fruits, juice and candies. We were very excited to go out on our own. We stood in the queue to get the tickets to the zoo. It was such a wonderful opportunity to learn about various kinds of animals and birds that we don’t see often.

We went around the zoo, checking out all the animals in their enclosures. We entered the big cats section and saw the King of the Jungle, the lion sitting majestically on his rock. Then we walked ahead and saw a leopard, perched high on the branch of a tree. A little further down, was a beautiful tigress playing with her cubs. 

Then we moved on and saw a herd of zebras running around their enclosure. Next to that was a tall giraffe munching on leaves. By now, we were hungry, so my friends and I sat under the shade of a tree and we ate our picnic lunch. We sat around and talked about the animals we’d seen. 

We saw many colourful birds and aquatic animals. One of my favorite moments was seeing the ducklings learn to paddle behind their mother. We saw many other birds and animals too like penguins and pandas, which were very cute and lazy. The crocodiles looked very scary but the hippopotamus looked like she was having fun playing in the water. It was fun to watch the hippopotamus swim in the water and splash water all around. We saw deer with beautiful antlers playing in the lush green grass of their enclosure. And next to that was a beautiful peacock, which danced and entertained us.  We got to see the naughty monkeys jumping around and climbing trees and chatter.

There were various kinds of birds such as sparrows, doves, ostrich, swans etc. It was very informative to learn about the eggs of different birds, their colors and different sizes. Then we went into the aquatic animals section and saw sharks, whales and even an octopus. We even got to interact and play with the dolphins, which we really enjoyed.

The zoo was like a mini forest with so many trees and animals. We enjoyed learning about all these animals, their food habits and their homes. We even learnt how to respect animals and accept them as they are. It was a treat to see so many animals and birds and learn more about them. We also learnt how to show love and compassion towards animals. Our day at the zoo was a day spent very well.

We hope you found this essay on zoo useful. For more such essays, check Osmo’s essays for kids .

Frequently Asked Questions On Zoo

What is a zoo.

A zoo, which is short for zoological park, is a place where they maintain a collection of wild animals for public viewing.

What are the benefits of visiting a zoo?

There are several educational benefits of visiting a zoo. Here are some advantages of going to a zoo: language development, family bonding, environmental awareness, exploration and discovery and multi-sensory learning experience.

Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species Essay

The last several decades could be characterized by the increased number of environmental problems that resulted in the alteration of climate and landscapes. These processes also had a great pernicious impact on animals living in different areas. For this reason, zoos became almost the only hope for the preservation and conservation of endangered species. If to compare with the past century, their role has altered greatly. In the 50s, zoos used to be fun centers where animals were kept just for entertainment. However, at the moment, they could be considered important scientific and research centers that investigate the current situation related to species and create conditions needed for their survival and further preservation. Moreover, zoos also perform a great educating role by providing important information about endangered species to people and teaching them how to save animals. Therefore, they are also important conservation centers as a significant number of animals could be found only here.

Nevertheless, even though zoos are crucial for the modern world, they also face some challenges that might impact the final result and make their conservation efforts less efficient. For instance, the preservation of endangered species is rather costly, and not all zoos could afford it. There is a great need for space, specific conditions, investigations, care, etc. (Keulartz, 2015). The combination of all these aspects contributes to the increased complexity of the main task and zoos might experience economic pressure from the government or sponsors. However, it is crucial to remember that their functioning is vital in the modern environment and there should be no limits related to their development (Kobilinsky, 2016). If we want to see some species, we should sponsor zoos.

Therefore, we have already stated that zoos are responsible for the preservation of animals included in the Endangered Species List. Certain criteria are used when considering the character of a certain animal, population size, peculiarities of the area, etc. Besides, the first thing that is taken into account is the number of animal units and the tendencies that are observed at the moment. Therefore, scientists also consider the way they might impact endangered species. This process is extremely important as it helps people to preserve some kinds of animals and guarantee their survival.

For instance, in the Reid Park Zoo in Arizona, we can watch elephants.

The given chart demonstrates their main activities and distribution of time. We could see that elephants are not very active, but they still have some social life (“ Zoo cams ,” n.d.). They also like bathing, playing, and, of course, eating.

Altogether, I should say that my attitude to elephants has not changed. I am sure that they are wonderful animals that should be protected by all means. Unfortunately, people are killing them for their tooth. It is a horrible practice, and it should be stopped for our children to be able to enjoy these animals.

However, I used to see these animals before. That is why my feelings were not unique. Therefore, I believe that for those who have never seen elephants it could be a great experience and have a great impact on their feelings towards wildlife and conservation. They will be able to understand that a great threat exists at the moment and all efforts should be devoted to the attempts to save them.

Keulartz, J. (2015). Captivity for conservation? Zoos at a crossroads . Web.

Kobilinsky, D. (2016). New live cam technology might help conservation . Web.

Zoo cams . (n.d.). Web.

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IvyPanda. (2020, September 17). Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species. https://ivypanda.com/essays/zoos-for-conservation-of-endangered-species/

"Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species." IvyPanda , 17 Sept. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/zoos-for-conservation-of-endangered-species/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species'. 17 September.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species." September 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/zoos-for-conservation-of-endangered-species/.

1. IvyPanda . "Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species." September 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/zoos-for-conservation-of-endangered-species/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Zoos for Conservation of Endangered Species." September 17, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/zoos-for-conservation-of-endangered-species/.

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Essay on Zoo

Zoos are a source of many of our favourite animals. We can visit a zoo to see some of these animals up close. It provides kids with educational opportunities and also lets them feel closer to animals and understand more about their natural habitat. Moreover, zoos are a great place for kids to learn about the various animals in their area. They can see how well they can get along with humans. This can help children grow a better understanding of people and animals and positively impact the world around them.

In a zoo, people can appreciate animals of all ranges, ages and species. They come for the experience and for the animals that they see around them. A zoo has been a place for people to learn about new species and, most importantly, care for and help protect animals in their natural habitat.

Advantages of Zoo

We love to visit zoos. It is a fantastic place to explore, see animals and learn about them as well. There are many benefits to visiting the zoo. For some, a zoo is a place where they feel safe because they know that their children are not left alone in the wild. They can enjoy exhibitions, watch shows, and feed animals specific food items without worrying about them getting too close or coming into contact with animals.

Zoos are popular tourist destinations in India. These attractions have become some of the most visited locations in Bangalore, Chennai and other parts of India. These zoos have long been used to educate people about different species, habitats, and cultures. Zoos also provide a chance for people to interact with animals while having fun.

A zoo is a unique place that combines good company, beautiful animals, and an educational setting. Moreover, it is a great way to understand the importance of protecting the environment.

Another benefit includes the environmental effects of a zoo. They act as a safe haven for animals facing high risks and protect them from hunters.

Disadvantages of Zoo

When we look into the disadvantages of zoos, they are not just about animals but also the high health risks associated with their exhibition. Animal enclosures are often in poor condition due to harsh weather or neglectful caretakers. Animals can also be dangerous to the public if they feel threatened or scared.

Another disadvantage of the zoo is that when the animals die, they are replaced by more animals. Zookeepers often have to make tough decisions about which animal should be taken care of and which should not be when there is a lack of enough space for them all. The animals in a zoo do not have any freedom. Visitors can see inside their cages and watch them outside, just like on a farm.

Sometimes, a zoo is viewed as an amusement park with many animals and attractions, and we don’t get to know if the animals are taken care of.

Many believe that zoos are detrimental to animal endangerment. They think that zoos are ‘crowding out’ the animals and leading to a continued decline in their natural habitats. Under these conditions, the species kept in captivity might feel stress and illness, which might get worse by being housed with other animals they do not recognise.

For more essays similar to the zoo essay, visit BYJU’S website. You can also access a wide range of kids’ learning resources on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions on Essay on Zoo

What are the advantages of zoos.

The zoo is a fantastic place to explore, see animals and learn about them as well. In zoos, people can enjoy animals without worrying about children getting too close or coming into contact with them.

What are the disadvantages of zoos?

Animals in the zoo face the high health risks associated with their exhibition. Poor conditions due to harsh weather and neglectful authorities are the main reasons. Animals can also be dangerous to the public if they feel threatened or scared.

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Flaco, Central Park Owl, Died With High Levels of Rat Poison in System

A necropsy conducted by the Bronx Zoo found that life-threatening levels of rat poison and a severe pigeon virus contributed to Flaco’s death last month.

By Ed Shanahan

Flaco, the Eurasian eagle-owl whose escape from the Central Park Zoo and life on the loose captivated New York, had enough rat poison and pigeon virus in his system to kill him even if he had not died after apparently striking an Upper West Side building last month.

The finding, from a necropsy conducted by Bronx Zoo pathologists after Flaco’s death on Feb. 23 , validated widespread concerns about the hazards he faced living as a free bird in Manhattan for just over a year. He would have turned 14 this month.

“Flaco’s severe illness and death are ultimately attributed to a combination of factors — infectious disease, toxin exposures and traumatic injuries — that underscore the hazards faced by wild birds, especially in an urban setting,” the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Central Park and Bronx Zoos, said in a statement on Monday.

Initial necropsy findings released the day after what onlookers described as a deadly building strike suggested Flaco had sustained an acute traumatic injury to his body, with signs of substantial hemorrhage under his sternum and in his back near his liver.

There was also evidence of bleeding behind his left eye, but no signs of head trauma or broken bones, the society said. Flaco was in “good body condition,” with “good muscling” and “adequate fat stores.” He weighed 4.1 pounds at death, just one-tenth of a pound lighter than at his last weigh-in at the zoo.

The society said at the time of the initial findings that additional tests were needed to determine whether any underlying factors had contributed to his death.

In confirming the role of traumatic injuries, those tests found he had a severe pigeon herpesvirus, which the conservation society attributed to his eating feral pigeons.

The herpesvirus in question can be carried by healthy pigeons but may cause fatal disease in birds of prey, including owls that become infected by eating pigeons, the society said.

In Flaco’s case, the society said, the viral infection had caused severe tissue damage and inflammation in many organs, including the spleen, liver, gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow and brain.

Toxicity tests also determined that Flaco had been exposed to four different anticoagulant rodenticides that are commonly used for rat control in New York City.

Together, the conservation society said, the pigeon virus and rodenticide exposure “would have been debilitating and ultimately fatal, even without a traumatic injury, and may have predisposed him to flying into or falling from the building.”

No other contributing factors were identified through the extensive testing that was performed.

Toxicology tests also revealed trace amounts of DDE, a breakdown product of the pesticide DDT, which has been banned in the United States since the early 1970s. Although the levels detected did not contribute to Flaco’s death, the society said, the finding was a “reminder of the long legacy of DDT and its dire effects on wild bird populations.”

Flaco died three weeks after passing the one-year mark of living on his own. As impressive as reaching that unlikely milestone was, it did not provide immunity against the serious risks he faced amid what was, for New York at least, a seemingly unprecedented wildlife experiment.

Hatched on March 15, 2010, at a North Carolina bird park, Flaco arrived at the Central Park Zoo less than two months later. He was a long way from what would have been a natural home for a bird like him.

The Eurasian eagle-owl, known by the scientific name Bubo bubo, is an apex predator typically found in much of Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and Central Asia. It is among the world’s largest owls, with a wingspan as wide as six feet. The bird thrives in mountains and other rocky areas near forests, swooping down at night to hunt rodents, rabbits and other prey.

For most of Flaco’s first 13 years, his life was unremarkable. That changed on the evening of Feb. 2, 2023 , when someone shredded the mesh on his enclosure at the zoo and he showed up on a Fifth Avenue sidewalk. No one has been arrested; the police have said that their investigation is continuing.

There was a significant question about whether Flaco could thrive outside captivity. When he proved his doubters wrong by teaching himself to feast on Central Park’s vast banquet of rats, he became an underdog worth rooting for. Bird-watchers, ornithologists and everyday people tracked his movements in person or, often, online.

Wildlife Conservation Society employees tried several times to retrieve him but backed off after he showed that he could fend for himself. Before long, he had settled into a comfortable routine at the park’s north end, and then around Halloween he began to roam from the East Village to the Upper West Side.

Experts and others tried to temper the excitement over his improbable sojourn. Eurasian eagle-owls can live more than 40 years in captivity, but only 20 on average in the wild. And no one could predict whether, or when, urban hazards like rat poison, a building strike or a collision with a vehicle might cut his life short.

Flaco managed to avoid vehicles by mostly sticking to rooftops, water towers and other elevated elements of the built environment once he left the park. But the risk of hitting a building was great: Up to 230,000 birds a year die in New York City when they hit windows, NYC Audubon says. And once he left Central Park, the rodenticide risk rose substantially.

The use of rat poisons is halted in the city’s parks during nesting season, from February through August, or when a breeding pair of birds of prey is present in or near a park or park area, according to a Parks Department spokesman.

Outside parks, though, such restrictions generally do not apply, and the use of rat poisons is widespread.

Rats that have ingested rodenticides often move more slowly, making them inviting, and potentially lethal, targets for birds of prey. Many of the nine dead birds the city’s Parks Department sent to the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation last year for a cause-of-death determination, including several red-tailed hawks, had been poisoned by rodenticide, the local news outlet The City reported on Monday.

There was always the possibility that Flaco could fall victim to more than one hazard, as appears to have happened. Barry, a female barred owl who became a fixture in the park during the depths of the coronavirus pandemic, suffered such a fate.

After Barry died in a collision with a Central Park Conservancy vehicle in August 2021, a necropsy found she had died of blunt-force trauma, according to a Department of Environmental Conservation diagnostic report. But she also had a potentially lethal level of rat poison in her system.

As for Flaco, his body was found in the back courtyard of a building on West 89th Street by the superintendent, who immediately recognized him.

The super and a resident contacted the Wild Bird Fund, a rescue organization, whose volunteers responded quickly and retrieved Flaco. He was alive then but was declared dead soon after, the Wildlife Conservation Society said.

A memorial gathering on March 3 at what Flaco followers said was his favorite oak tree at the park’s north end drew a crowd of several hundred people who left flowers, letters and other colorful mementos at the base of the trunk. Speakers read poems and shared how Flaco had inspired and moved them.

As of Monday, about 4,300 people had signed an online petition calling for a life-size statue of Flaco to be placed in Central Park to commemorate his legacy. A second online petition, this one urging that the police and the conservation society “relaunch” the investigation into who vandalized Flaco’s habitat, had more than 48,000 signatures.

Ed Shanahan is a rewrite reporter and editor covering breaking news and general assignments on the Metro desk. More about Ed Shanahan

Meet the Animals of New York City

Flaco the Owl:  The Eurasian eagle-owl, whose escape from the Central Park Zoo and subsequent life on the loose in Manhattan  captured the public’s attention, died after apparently striking a building . A necropsy found high levels of rat poison and a severe pigeon virus  in his system.

Pale Male:  The original New York City celebrity bird that stole the national spotlight in 2004 died in May. Or did he ?

Prospect Park Gator:  An emaciated alligator found in Prospect Park in 2023 was the latest in a long line of saw-toothed reptiles found all over the city .

Ming the Tiger : Before “Tiger King,” there was New York’s infamous Tiger Man, who kept a 425-pound tiger in his Harlem apartment .

Inside the World of Urban Wildlife : Pizza Rat is not the only resourceful city critter. The animals in these photographs  are immediately recognizable as fellow New Yorkers.