There are billions of animals in captivity in the world. These animals are found in zoos, breeding centers and research laboratories. All of these animals are going on a rampage due to the stress of being in a small confinement habitat. Is it ethical to keep animals in captivity for research, breeding or for our pleasure? Over the years, keeping animals in captivity has not changed in terms of the safety and welfare of the animal. The reasons why animals are kept in captivity might favor some people and not others. Animals in captivity are generally kept for entertainment, education, research and conservation purposes. The other major reason they are held in captivity is the rehabilitation process. The article, titled Ethical Issues, defines rehabilitation as the treatment of wild animals found injured or sick, taken into captivity until they are restored to full health, and then released back into the wild. Then, when the animal is released, it can live freely in its own habitat. Although this can lead to suffering and stress, or even death of the animal. The animal is so dependent on its guardian that once released, it does poorly (1). In The Art of the Cage, a saying is mentioned “finding enrichment is sometimes having no enrichment at all”. This results in the fact that an animal in captivity may not be fed for several days. By placing animals in cages and separating them from a partner, parent or offspring, it prepares them to face the wild. In the wild, the animal must endure the hardships it may face. Even though the animal faces these difficulties, it gives it endurance, self-sufficiency and an instinct for survival. In the past, people collected animals to express themselves with the gods and become closer. The zoo displays the symbol o...... middle of paper ...... danger too. A good reason for captivity is the rehabilitation of an injured animal that could be treated. Then have a second chance to return to nature. Also preventing endangered species from becoming completely instinctive by determining an animal's genetics. So, having zoos and farms helps animals but puts them in danger. Works cited1. Waples KA, Stagoll CS. Ethical issues when releasing animals from captivity. Round table. 1997; 115-120.2. Young P. The art of the cage. The Antioch Review. 2003; 629-639. Williams SE, Hoffman EA. Minimizing genetic adaptation in captive breeding programs. Biological conservation. 2009; 2388-2400.3. Kirby D. Tethered Time Bombs. Earth Island Journal. 2012; 554. Mason G.J. Species differences in response to captivity: stress, well-being and a comparative method. Trends in ecology and evolution. 2010; 713-720.