Zoos have been a significant part of my professional life and, ultimately, my advocacy. Having worked within an AZA-accredited zoo, I understand both the dedication of many people who care for animals and the powerful role these institutions can play in shaping how the public understands wildlife. I also believe that experience brings a responsibility to ask difficult questions. This section examines modern zoos through evidence rather than assumptions—exploring animal welfare, conservation claims, ambassador-animal programs, public interactions, escapes and incidents, regulatory oversight, and the evolving science of captivity. The goal is not simply to be for or against zoos, but to look critically and fairly at what they do, what they tell the public, and whether their practices reflect what we now know about the complex lives and needs of wild animals.