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Zoos Encourage Research and Recreation: Jack Hanna
Zoos Encourage Research and Recreation: Jack Hanna
Jack Hanna
Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo Along with conservation comes valuable research. The more we learn about animals, the better we can preserve them and provide for their needs. Zoos are not perfect, but I assure you that they are getting better everyday. Thirty years ago animals were enclosed in small areas made of concrete and metal bars. owever, the enclosures have improved by leaps and bounds since then. Today animal habitats in !oos have been created to closely resemble the animals" natural habitat in the wild. #ith each day, new information is uncovered and additional steps are being ta$en to continue improving the lives of animals living in !oological par$s. %ecreation is an important factor to consider as well. There are over &'' accredited !oos in America, and last year nearly ()' million people visited !oos and a*uariums + this ma$es visiting !oos the largest recreational activity in the country. Zoos provide the opportunity for people to come together and learn about the creatures we share the planet with, all while supporting wildlife conservation programs for thousands of animal species.