Zoos often claim they educate the public and protect endangered species, but I visited our local zoo last month and saw elephants pacing in circles, a clear sign of distress. If conservation is the real goal, why do most exhibits still prioritize entertainment over welfare? The money spent on breeding programs is tiny compared to what goes into snack bars and gift shops. I believe keeping animals in cages for our curiosity is a flawed model that fails both the animals and the educational mission we pretend to uphold.