A Zoo Has No Useful Purpose - IELTS Task 2 Band 9 Essay Sample

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Sample Essay 1

Many argue that zoos are outdated institutions with no real value in today’s world. I strongly disagree with this view. In my opinion, zoos still play a vital role in wildlife conservation and public education. This essay will explore how zoos contribute significantly to the protection of endangered species and help cultivate ecological awareness among the public, particularly in urban societies.

The foremost purpose of modern zoos is conservation, especially of endangered species. In the face of rapid habitat destruction and climate change, zoos offer a safe haven for species that might otherwise face extinction. Institutions such as the San Diego Zoo and London Zoo are not mere entertainment centres but actively participate in global breeding programs, genetic research, and rewilding initiatives. For example, the Arabian oryx, once extinct in the wild, has been successfully reintroduced into its native habitat due to zoo-led captive breeding. Moreover, zoos serve as genetic reservoirs, allowing scientists to preserve biodiversity for future restoration efforts. While critics claim that artificial enclosures compromise animal welfare, it is essential to distinguish between exploitative establishments and accredited zoological centres committed to high welfare standards. Without zoos, many species would simply vanish unnoticed, making their role in conservation not only purposeful but urgent.

Equally important is the educational value that zoos provide, particularly in an era when direct contact with nature is increasingly rare. For urban populations—especially children—zoos offer a rare and tangible connection to wildlife, fostering empathy and awareness. Observing animals in real-life settings can have a far greater emotional and cognitive impact than reading about them in books or watching documentaries. Zoos often integrate interactive learning environments, wildlife talks, and conservation campaigns that deepen public understanding of ecological challenges. For instance, the Bronx Zoo runs programs aimed at educating visitors about illegal wildlife trade and sustainable practices. This exposure nurtures a conservation-minded generation who are more likely to support environmental protection policies. Thus, far from being obsolete, zoos are evolving into platforms for environmental education and advocacy.

In conclusion, zoos serve essential functions in both preserving endangered species and raising public environmental awareness. Rather than being redundant, they are indispensable tools in the global fight for biodiversity and ecological education.

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Sample Essay 2

The notion that zoos serve little meaningful purpose is increasingly difficult to refute in a world that values ethical treatment and scientific progress. I fully agree that zoos are outdated institutions whose drawbacks far outweigh their benefits. This essay will argue that zoos fundamentally violate animal autonomy for human amusement and fail to offer any authentic educational or conservation value that cannot be achieved through more ethical, modern alternatives.

The primary flaw of zoos lies in their inherent compromise of animal welfare and agency, often masked as “care.” Despite advancements in enclosure design, the core reality remains unchanged: wild animals are confined to artificial spaces that bear little resemblance to their natural habitats. Creatures such as elephants, orcas, or snow leopards—who roam vast territories in the wild—are restricted to limited environments that often lead to abnormal behaviours like pacing, swaying, or depression, a condition widely known as “zoochosis.” These psychological disorders highlight the profound disconnect between captivity and natural well-being. Furthermore, the justification that zoos keep animals for their own protection becomes hollow when commercial interests—ticket sales, crowd-pleasing species, and marketing—guide operational decisions. In essence, animals are commodified as exhibits rather than respected as sentient beings with complex needs. Such exploitation not only erodes moral accountability but also reinforces the dangerous idea that nature exists for human display.

Moreover, the supposed educational and conservation benefits of zoos are both overstated and outdated. Passive observation of caged animals offers little insight into the rich complexity of ecosystems or species behaviour. In contrast, virtual reality experiences, nature documentaries, and ethical wildlife sanctuaries now provide more immersive and accurate learning opportunities without subjecting animals to confinement. As for conservation, only a tiny fraction of zoo animals belong to endangered species, and even fewer are ever released into the wild. Instead of addressing root causes of biodiversity loss—such as habitat destruction or poaching—zoos distract from genuine solutions by offering the illusion of action. Public funding and attention would be far better invested in in-situ conservation efforts, which empower local communities to protect animals in their natural ecosystems.

In conclusion, zoos do more harm than good by compromising animal dignity and offering a hollow version of education and conservation. Ethical progress demands that we replace these institutions with approaches that honour both animals and ecological truth.

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