This photograph was taken on a family trip to the Phoenix Zoo. I enjoyed spending quality time with my family, but I did not enjoy where we spent it. I took this photo at the leopard exhibit on an extremely hot day. This scene stood out to me because something was wrong with what I was seeing. This animal was not meant to be in such an environment due to the fact that it just lie there for an extended period of time. Now, this might not have been the case, it still sparked a thought in my mind that, how can it be healthy that hundreds of species from all over the world inhabited this one environment. Each species lives in a different ecosystem due to there varying survival qualities, so how could it be possible that all these species lived a healthy life at this zoo?

This led me to grow an understanding that zoos are not as happy as society have made them to be. I believe deeply in my morals, which are maintaining equality amongst all living things and to be a humanitarian for those who need it. Therefore it breaks my heart that still to this day animals are being used for selfish purposes. The only reason zoos were created was to make money off of guests observe animals in a safe way. The truth is, God did not create animals on his earth to be caged, he created them to be free and get the chance to live a happy life like humans. Equality needs be shown toward these animals because they are given one chance to live a life on this Earth just like the the rest of the living specimens that inhabit it. This animal behind the cage in my photo deserves an investigation of a fair life. A true investigation needs to occur in these zoos to determine whether they are necessary to have. Is there enough evidence to determine why zoos are essential to the survival and overall happiness of human life? An investigation is all that is needed to uncover the disturbing facts about how zoos treat their animals. These animals deserve a voice so its up to us to make it heard. I took this photo so that at least this one animal can be heard, whether it be good or bad. This may not be the typical approach to this theme, but it is one that I believe is necessary to spread awareness to better our world.