A zoo is not just a place to display animals; it is a facility that cares for, protects, and educates the public about wildlife. One of the most important standards for a legitimate zoo is regular health checks for its animals.
International zoo associations require that zoos have veterinarians, medical equipment, routine health monitoring, disease prevention measures, and proper record-keeping. These practices ensure the overall welfare of animals, including their physical and mental well-being.
If a facility cannot perform health checks, animals face serious risks: illness, stress, and disruption of social bonds within the group. Such a facility fails to meet the legal and ethical standards of an accredited zoo and is often considered a “private animal collection” or an “unregulated wildlife park” instead.
Conclusion: A facility that does not monitor and maintain animal health cannot truly be called a zoo. Animal health care is the most basic pillar of zoo standards and reflects human responsibility and ethics toward nature and wildlife.
