The moral positions taken towards zoos and conservation

The focus on supporting conservation and encouraging related behaviours is changing the emotional experiences of zoos and related moral positions towards animal tourism. Drawing on Haidt's moral emotions and theories of moral judgement, we interpret depth-interviews with zoo stakeholders to theorise four moral positions: the renunciation of captivity to protect animal rights; acts of propitiation that gesture towards a nature that has been harmed; the vindication of animal captivity through arguments about education and species preservation; and valediction through visits to endangered species and habitats as inspiration for conservation. These positions highlight the need for zoos to consider a moral emotion-behaviour gap as part of their conservation work. • Zoo stakeholder emotions lead to different moral positions towards animals. • They may renounce captivity altogether to protect animal rights. • Undertake acts of propitiation that gesture towards a nature that has been harmed. • Vindicate animal captivity through arguments about education and rescue. • Seek valediction by experiencing endangered animals before they are lost forever.