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Public Education The zoo gives the public exposure to species that are not indigenous to the area. It is a place where our children have the opportunity to observe first- hand the behavior of animals that are not commonplace. By this exposure to the external public, people will acquire knowledge and awareness of animals and may be more influenced to protect and preserve our endangered species. Creating a bond between minds and nature is an important tool in our education process. The zoo aids in this attempt to reunite humanity and nature. It goes beyond the walls of the classroom which are confined to text and verbal communication. This point is exemplified by David W. Orr, "Natural objects have a concrete reality that the abstractions of textbooks and lectures do not and cannot have."p.118 At the zoo, people have a chance to visually absorb and learn creating a stronger bond between the individual and animal. Conversely, the zoo has been separated from nature and is not as efficacious as it could be if the various species were in their indigenous habitats. The controlled milieu obstructs a higher learning of the real behavior of animals. It prevents us from seeing the complete "way of being" of that animal. The zoo separates each animal into a separate section where they are not allowed to interact. This is why David W. Orr says, "The great ecological issues of our time have to do in one way or another with our failure to see things in their entirety."p.117 Yet, all of nature builds on each other and lives with one another. The true higher learning would be to observe these creatures together in their native habitat. In conclusion, the zoo is apropos in its rudimentary presentation of animals and their environment. This simplified presentation is ideal for children and their level of intellect. However, the zoo does not create a proper learning environment for higher education. It limits and governs the educational paradigm. |