Welcome to the Rhetoric II blog! Here you can find the editorials written by your classmates during the second semester of 2009. Please browse the editorials and choose the one you find the most interesting or controversial. Then, write an argumentative comment in response to your classmate's editorial.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
A Renewed Bolivar Zoo for Everybody
The Simon Bolivar Zoo was opened to the public in 1921.It is located in a strategic place in the center of San José.The zoo is not only located in an accessible place, but it is also an amusement center for kids, adults and senior citizens.However, the zoo presents some problems that give tourists a negative impression of Costa Rica. For instance, the poor conditions in which big animals like lions, jaguars, tapirs and deers are living reflect the lack of effort from some government authorities in charge of wildlife protection. Also, the cages are too small and the animals do not have enough space to move. Consequently, mammals do not have the appropriate conditions for developing as in their own wild habitat. Nevertheless, this problem can be solved by keeping only birds and reptiles.
Although it is true that the Simon Bolívar’s location is comfortable for local and foreign visitors and it is a family entertainment option for weekends, many people would argue that the city noise, pollution, and narrow space of cages might affect the animals’ behavior. .Janis Janik, biologist and head of the bird rehabilitation Center Zoo Ave in Alajuela said: ¨The Simon Bolivar Zoo does not have the space nor the know-how to take care of mammals and big animals¨ (Animal Rescue Policy Blasted, I).Nonetheless, the problem can be solved. The impact on creatures’ behavior can be reduced by moving big animals such as mammals to ecological reserves which have the appropriate conditions for them. Species like reptiles and birds can fit better the zoos’ infrastructure. Costa Rica, as a tropical country, has a great variety of small species such as frogs, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles. It is also famous for its tropical birds therefore, under adequate infrastructure; the zoo can function as an institution for exotic species conservation and study.
To conclude, the zoo has been there for over 88 years to entertain, educate and inform visitors about Costa Rican biodiversity. It only needs a change in the infrastructure and type of animals.Big creatures can be moved to special places that offer adequate living condition for them.
"As a defender of animals, I have to say that I would like to see the Bolivar Zoo closed. I would like the government, through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of "Ambiente y Energía" to order the progressive closure of the zoo while the animals they already have die. It would be a long process, but a necessary one, because animals have suffered in this place for decades. If the country doesn't have the capacity of running a zoo the way it should be, the zoo should be closed for the sake of the animals. Only places like Zoo Ave or INBIO should be kept open."
"As a defender of animals, I have to say that I would like to see the Bolivar Zoo closed. I would like the government, through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of "Ambiente y Energía" to order the progressive closure of the zoo while the animals they already have die. It would be a long process, but a necessary one, because animals have suffered in this place for decades. If the country doesn't have the capacity of running a zoo the way it should be, the zoo should be closed for the sake of the animals. Only places like Zoo Ave or INBIO should be kept open."
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