Question

The number of professionally managed zoos/ zoological parks worldwide is
(a)297
(b)400
(c)650
(d)800

Answer 1

Hint: Zoological parks or zoos are a conservation program for animals and have great significance in biological studies as well as the economical field. In ancient times, they used to be a possession of The royals but nowadays many professional zoological parks are constructed and maintained worldwide.

Complete answer:
The professionally managed zoos in the whole world numbers around 800 where the largest one is in India named "Arignar Anna Zoological Park" occupying 1265 acres of land. There are several types of zoos found in the world such as safari parks, aquaria, roadside zoos, petting zoos, and animal theme parks. Most of the zoos have the goal of conservation and study of animals as well as plants. Visitors come only as a secondary purpose for these zoos. The animals are enclosed, cared for, and displayed in the zoos. Along with zoos, national parks and conserved areas are also some purposes for the conservation of species.

Additional Information:
Although zoos have gained so much popularity as a source of entertainment as well as studies, there are welfare concerns related to zoo animals that have become a matter of argument for many critics as well as animal rights activists.
Although the zoo faculties take care of the animals and give them protection, the restricted environment makes it hard for the animals to live in their ideal lifestyle. It is also seen in some zoos that the animals are treated as voyeuristic objects rather than living creatures and often suffer from boredom due to insufficient enclosures and unnatural environment, which leads to abnormal behavior of animals and shortened lifespan. Also, sometimes the climate of zoos doesn't match with the actual climate suitable for the animal. That may create problems in their adaptations and even cause death.

So, the correct answer is “800".

Note: Although zoological parks have their drawbacks and aren’t considered a perfect way to keep animals they can be helpful in many ways such as when an animal is rescued and injured, zoos are the only place they can be taken to where they get the required treatment and a place of refuge. They also provide information on wild animals and plants to visitors.