Cathy Chan, 16, CCC Kei Chi Secondary School
Alot of animals, especially endangered species like tigers and rhinos, are illegally killed for commercial purposes. By keeping them caged, we are actually preventing their extinction. For example, some zoos have breeding programmes for rare animals which could -be targeted by poachers if they are left in the wild.
On the mainland, there are parks for pandas and tigers. But only some of these animals are caged. The others are free to roam the park in a natural environment. They are also well looked after.
This is a practical way to protect the world's most endangered animals. Cages can also help prevent accidental injuries caused by other animals and visitors. Since many people who visit a zoo do not know how to treat wildlife, they may hurt animals, especially small species like squirrels and birds. Cages are needed to keep them safe and also to protect humans from dangerous animals like lions, tigers and bears.
Some people argue that animals may lose their natural instincts if they are kept in cages. But it wouldn't be a serious problem if they are well fed and kept in big cages.
Animals should be kept in cages for their own protection and that of humans as well. But it is unacceptable for people to take advantage of this to hurt animals, like keeping bears in cages to sell their bile for traditional medicine.