Problem:
Imagine that you are now a member of the city council, and you are responding to their letters. Consider the costs and benefits that your peers have highlighted to the initial proposed plan of action. Can you identify issues with their argument? Can you expand or improve on their ideas? How would you ultimately rule if you were in their position, and had to balance visitor wants with animal welfare?
Dear City Council,
I am writing to you today over the concerns about the taxpayer funds intended for the exhibits at the city zoo. As a member of the zoos Exhibit Design Committee, I understand the wants to prioritize visitors over the needs of staff and animals. I want to discuss the animal care staff's needs with you to understand better how this money could benefit the zoo. Animal care staff know the animals personally and understand what works best for them. As standards change, many exhibits may not be up-to-date in husbandry practices such as behavioral enrichment. Plus, let's not forget the rehabilitation and conservation of animals and how they are not caged up for entertainment. Visitors want to see these animals in a realistic setting, and this can only be done by improving the current exhibits at the zoo. Therefore, I would like you to reconsider where the money is going and leave it up to the Exhibit Design Committee to distribute it where needed.