Free Essay Example about Zoos and Their Role

Concept and Visions

Zoos help in ensuring that the future generations get to enjoy the beauty of nature by protecting various animal species from extinction. Therefore, there needs to better ways of catering for the rights of animals in the zoos apart from confining them and assigning people that barely know the needs and rights of animals. Therefore, this paper proposes the introduction of husbandry training to protect captive animals from sub-standard facilities in a zoo.

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Generating Knowledge and Awareness

Recently, there has been a debate in the public in the mainstream media championed by animal activists demanding love and respect for wild animals. I posted on the questions on the justification of restricting animals in zoos and how stakeholders can ensure that the rights of animals are protected. Most of them agreed that zoos protect animals, especially endangered species. However, it is still disrespectful to confine an organism to a specified area (ThoughtCo, 2018). Similarly, most participants believed that husbandry training could ensure that wild animals are protected and respected while in the zoos. Additionally, a review of internet articles on zoos shows that experts and animal rights activists disagree with the methods of handling animals.

Generating Ideas

The brainstorming and attribute analysis were used in generating ideas for the project. In brainstorming, ideas like strengthening the legal protection for wild animals in the zoos, providing husbandry training to staff, and inspiring change in the community. The attributes of each idea were listed, and alternatives for accomplishment were examined using attribute analysis method. The findings show that introducing new compulsory husbandry training for staff in the zoos provided higher probabilities of success.

Approach to Innovation

This project focuses on gaining competitive advantage and increasing market share empowering staff with knowledge on how to take care of animals in the zoos so that they feel respected and protected (PETA, 2013). Therefore, the training will focus on teaching staff on animals rights, approaches in handling different animal species, familiarizing with animals, and making animals feel comfortable in the zoos. The innovation will improve Human-Animal Relationships in the zoos and increase the revenue.

Limitations

This section explains risks from the most crucial to least crucial. The first limitation is that its success depends on the willingness among staff. It will have the highest influence on the success of the project. Another limit is that it will require a change in shifts to create space for attending training sessions. Furthermore, there may be an incompatibility between previous information regarding animal science and training information among staff. However, the limitations can be mitigated through explaining to the team how the zoo will benefit from the practice, creating a timetable during the training week to ensure that animals and zoos animals are not affected, and encouraging staff to be open-minded regarding the practice.

Market Analysis

The travel and tour industry has steadily grown. While many companies significant in traveling and sightseeing, some customers are attracted explicitly by wild animals. As such, the market size for zoos has drastically increased. However, being that many animal activists are calling for their closure, more efforts need to be channeled towards improving animal welfare to disapprove their claims.

Customers and Customer Development

Zoos customers need entertainment and education. Therefore, the staff needs to be empowered so that customers get value for their money. Thus, through channeling financial resources towards the training of staff, the zoos will increase customer volume and profitability. According to the comments on the Facebook timeline, people consider zoos to be unrealistically expensive. According to statistics, currently, most zoos charge an average of $15 (PETA, 2013). However, the price increases depending on the size of the facility and number of animals. Meaning, the zoo will cost at least the average amount.

Competition and Positioning

Currently, there is stiff competition between zoos. However, the market share of zoos has been increasing while that of relatively smaller zoos has been decreasing. However, zoos that provide intense training to staff after recruitment continue to serve the market. Therefore, the project will focus on improving the customer experience by ensuring that animals have better relationships with humans (Rspca.org.uk, 2018). Some of the barriers to entry in the travel and tour category are prices, animal rights activism, and the ability to cater to the needs of animals with complex needs like the elephant.

Business Model and Lean Startup Philosophy

The venture will make money by charging an entry fee of at least $15 per person. Also, the enterprise will form partnerships with schools for discounted prices every time they bring students to see the animals. However, the management will need to hold open sessions with staff to explain to the need to attend new husbandry training sessions to fit the needs of the animals. Similarly, the business will need to hold Human-Animal relationships campaign to create awareness on the safety of animals and revenue for the economy.

Learning and Adaptation

The idea of a zoo is the right opportunity because it provides unique ways of ensuring that wild animals are protected, respected, and preserved for future generations (Felongco, 2018). I have learned that human activists support the closure of zoos because they are primarily used for income instead of protection and preservation. Therefore, the business will initially lower entry prices to increase traffic in the zoo and market share and gain a competitive advantage in the industry.

References

Felongco, G. (2018). Endangered animals stolen from Philippine zoo. [online] GulfNews. Available at: https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/endangered-animals-stolen-from-philippine-zoo-1.2266570 [Accessed 3 Nov. 2018].

PETA. (2013). Zoos: Pitiful Prisons | PETA. [online] Available at: https://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets/zoos-pitiful-prisons/ [Accessed 3 Nov. 2018].

Rspca.org.uk. (2018). Wild animals in captivity - Zoos, circuses & performing animals. [online] Available at: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/captivity [Accessed 3 Nov. 2018].

ThoughtCo. (2018). Do Zoos Still Have a Place in the World?. [online] Available at: https://www.thoughtco.com/arguments-for-and-against-zoos-127639 [Accessed 3 Nov. 2018].