Modern zoos contribute to conservation goals but must honestly assess and improve the welfare of the animals in their care.
The zoo-conservation relationship requires honest assessment from a welfare perspective. Zoos make genuine conservation contributions through breeding programs for critically endangered species and through funding field conservation programs. The existence of viable captive populations of some species has prevented extinction. However, the conservation significance of an individual animal's captivity does not automatically justify whatever welfare compromises that captivity involves. An endangered elephant suffering stereotypic behaviors in an inadequate zoo exhibit is not experiencing good welfare because her species is rare. The welfare and conservation missions of zoos should be complementary - animals thriving in appropriate conditions are better conservation ambassadors and breeding animals. The most honest assessment of zoos requires examining whether individual animals are genuinely thriving rather than accepting conservation significance as justification for any welfare outcome.