Zoos: Protection Or Exploitation? Episode 466

In today’s thought-provoking episode, Niall opens the phone lines and asks a big question: Are zoos still relevant in the 21st century — or is it time we phased them out?

As the debate heats up, callers from across the country weigh in with passionate and diverse opinions.

📞 One caller defends zoos, saying they play a vital role in conservation and education — giving children a chance to connect with animals they’d never otherwise see.

📞 Another strongly disagrees, arguing that no enclosure, no matter how advanced, can replicate the wild — and that animals in captivity often suffer mentally and physically.

📞 A third caller offers a more balanced view, suggesting that while traditional zoos may be outdated, modern wildlife sanctuaries and rewilding projects could be the way forward.

📞 Then there’s a surprising take — a caller who believes zoos are acceptable only if they are entirely non-profit and focused on rehabilitating endangered species, not entertainment.

Niall keeps the discussion moving with sharp questions and reflections on how our relationship with the animal kingdom has changed.

Are zoos relics of the past or tools for the future?