Why do we need zoos? An animal welfare researcher explains

What is the role of zoos?

Zoos today are not the Victorian menageries that may initially come to mind. They are permanent institutions caring for predominantly non-domesticated species across mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and invertebrates.

Their mission rests on four important pillars: conservation, education, research and recreation.

Well-run, modern zoos underpin these pillars with rigorous animal welfare science – and evidence their impact, embed welfare monitoring and adapt practice alongside advances in science.

How do zoos operate?

In Great Britain, zoos are licensed under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981 and are all inspected against detailed standards; many also join professional associations that aim to set the bar higher still. The Zoo Licensing Act and the ‘Standards of Modern Zoo Practice’ guide frequent, multi‑day inspections by trained government-appointed inspectors.

Regionally and globally, accreditation and membership to professional bodies and organisations (e.g. BIAZA, EAZA, WAZA, AZA) brings further audits, access to coordinated breeding programmes, and shared best practice.

Well-run zoos also operate to welfare frameworks, transparent reporting, and research partnerships that test whether changes truly benefit animals, staff and visitors.

Why are zoos important?

Zoos contribute to in situ conservation – protecting species and habitats in the wild –  through funding, expertise and field partnerships. They also support ex situ conservation such as insurance populations for threatened species, breeding and, where appropriate, reintroduction to the wild.

With hundreds of millions of annual visits worldwide, zoos also reach the public at scale, shifting knowledge, attitudes and behaviours toward biodiversity by connecting people to nature and animals. They can also provide human wellbeing benefits such as lowering stress and improving mood.

Why do some see zoos as controversial?

Ethical debates often centre on whether wild animals should ever live under human care.

Managed breeding is essential for maintaining healthy ex situ populations, but it can result in animals being born who are not needed for long‑term population sustainability. Decisions around contraception, transfers or euthanasia can be deeply uncomfortable for the public and reignite debates about whether zoos exist primarily for animal welfare or human interests.

Discussions about suitability of species being housed in zoos, such as cetaceans, or elephants and whether we can meet the physical, cognitive and social needs is particularly challenging   and also divides people’s opinions.

Even in high‑quality zoos, captivity places unavoidable limits on animals’ lives. Space is finite, environments are simplified versions of the wild, and animals have reduced autonomy over where they go, who they associate with, and how they spend their time. Welfare science can reduce harm and promote positive experiences, but critics argue it cannot fully replicate the complexity, freedom and unpredictability of wild living.

While some zoos operate under rigorous legislation and welfare frameworks, standards vary widely worldwide. Critics argue that the existence of poor‑quality zoos undermines the credibility of the sector as a whole, raising questions about whether the model can ever be responsibly applied on a global scale.

How do zoos assess animal welfare?

Welfare is the animal’s experience—its physical and mental state. Practice focuses on the ‘five domains’ of nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and how these impact on the animal’s mental state. This prompts evidence-based audits linked to behaviour and physiology, not just enclosure features.

Modern programmes should prioritise choice, control and positive affect, and replace “folklore husbandry” with research-led management, for instance the shift in elephant care from concrete floors and fixed feeding to complex substrates, social structures and foraging.

What does the NTU research show?

Our research focuses on understanding how animals experience their environments, how they interact with keepers and visitors, and what zoos can do to support positive animal welfare every day.

We work closely with zoos, governments and welfare organisations to turn scientific evidence into real‑world improvements. We have helped to shape the UK’s national zoo legislation, contributed to South Korea’s first ever zoo law, and are supporting ongoing welfare reforms in Japan.

We are also developing a digital tool that allows zoos to measure and track animal welfare in a simple, standardised way.

What does the future of zoos look like?

Only good, progressive zoos that can demonstrate animal lives are worth living and enjoyable, measurable conservation and education outcomes, and continual improvement, deserve public support.

The future lies in ecosystem‑style exhibits, embedded research, ethical species selection, and smart technologies (from  welfare apps and sensors to AI) that help us detect problems earlier and personalise care.

When zoos are transparent, science‑led and community‑engaged, they earn their place as conservation partners and learning spaces—not relics of the past.

Samantha Ward is Professor of Zoo Animal Welfare and Legislation in Nottingham Trent University's School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences. Professor Ward is a globally-recognised specialist in zoo animal welfare whose work helps improve the lives of animals in zoos around the world. Her research focuses on understanding how animals experience their environments, how they interact with keepers and visitors, and what zoos can do to support positive welfare every day.