LABOUR wants a national debate on whether zoos are cruel, outdated and ought to be banned. Rightly so. It is a contentious issue.

In the words of Charities Minister Angela Smith, they cause suffering to animals that should be allowed to roam free in the wild.

But isn’t this the price we must pay to ensure the survival of endangered species? Surely, zoos serve a vital function as centres for conservation, helping to keep endangered species alive.

They have already accomplished so much. If not for captive breeding programmes a number of endangered species would now be extinct, such as the beautiful red wolf.

Wouldn’t it be tragic if, in future, children could only see tigers in books?

Aled Jones, Bridlington.