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The new Gorilla Forest exhibit at Como zoo opens today and will be home to seven gorillas, six of which are new to the zoo. The $11 million redesign includes what is said to be the largest all-mesh enclosure in North America. The changes to the exhibit exceed the requirements for holding, exhibiting and managing the gorillas under the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the United States Department of Agriculture.

With natural habitats for animals like gorillas being destroyed by construction and development from humans, there is controversy about how conservation should be addressed. Some believe keeping animals in zoos is a way to prevent extinction, while others have major grievances about the unnatural living conditions within zoos and argue for the preservation of natural habitats abroad.

The Capital Animals’ Protection Society 

 to animal captivity and is working to eliminate zoos in the UK.

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park website 

 that all subspecies of gorilla are endangered and the six gorillas at the National Zoo are managed under a “Species Survival Plan” where they have successfully bred the animals.

Today’s Question: How do you feel about the role zoos play in protecting threatened species?

Minnesota News

Today's Question Blog

Michael Olson

Author

The new Gorilla Forest exhibit at Como zoo opens today and will be home to seven gorillas, six of which are new to the zoo. The $11 million redesign includes what is said to be the largest all-mesh enclosure in North America. The changes to the exhibit exceed the requirements for holding, exhibiting and managing…

How do you feel about the role zoos play in protecting threatened species?

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