Employment for nonfarm animal caretakers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all careers through 2032, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Employment for animal trainers is also expected to grow much faster than the average during this same time period. With the popularity of cable channels such as the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, as well as television specials and videos featuring animals, the public's interest in animals is only likely to increase. Zoos, parks, and museums will benefit a great deal from any increased exposure the public has to the animal kingdom. Zoos must also compete with television as family entertainment, and therefore are constantly striving to improve their facilities with more exotic animals, better shelters, and more programs to involve the public directly with animals.
Concerns about the treatment of animals will perhaps lead to more stringent laws and certification requirements. Some activists hope to end the capture of animals for display in zoos; some even object to filming animals in the wild. But zoos are likely to continue to operate and expand, with zoo professionals arguing that zoo animals are often safer and receive better care than they would in their natural habitats.