Make zoos extinct

In recent decades public opinion has been turning against zoos and an increasing number of people see incarcerating animals in an environment that is totally alien to them as inhumane.

Your report (15 August) on the incident involving one of Edinburgh Zoo’s pandas highlights another reasons why zoos should be closed.

Zoo staff and members of the public in various zoos round the world have been injured and a few have even been killed by zoo animals.

These are wild animals who will never be truly happy in a zoo, no matter how well provided for they are, and they are bound to react badly without warning. Also, why should people be subjected to the risk of being attacked by animals that are not native to the western world?

Performing wild animals in circuses are a thing of the past and it is high time we considered abolishing zoos.

ROBERT KELLY Bonhill Road, Dumbarton Having read of previous zoo escapes by a panda and a bull I remember the lesser known escape by an aardvark – people weren’t even alerted to it as zoo staff reminded them that aardvark never hurt anyone.

M FISH Moston Terrace, Edinburgh