Conservation of wild animals in zoos: international laws are required

Wild animals are an intrinsic part of ecosystems and should live in their natural environment in consonance with ecological laws and ethics (intrinsic rights). However, considering multiple risk factors such as poaching, habitat damage, and climate change, the captivity of wild animals in zoos may be unavoidable for the effective protection of endangered wildlife. Although living conditions in zoos are crucial for the survival/conservation of wildlife, captive animals, nevertheless, live in various accommodation conditions worldwide. Therefore, this Opinion proposes that international laws and standards are required to provide sufficient quality conditions for wild animals in zoos worldwide. Keywords: Wild animals; zoos; circuses; conditions; laws; quality; standards