The debate about whether zoos really are ethical or not continues to divide animal lovers. But whether or not some zoos participate in conservation programs to actually benefit animals, it’s clear that there are also zoos out there who are in it for financial gain only. Judging by the atrocious conditions in which they keep their animals, it’s obvious that the wellbeing of these beautiful creatures means nothing to them.

Trigger warning: these photos are heartbreaking and some of them are incredibly difficult to look at. They show the abuse and mistreatment of animals who are suffering at the hands of humans and zoos.

20 Atrocious Conditions At Gaza Zoo, Palestine

This photo shows the atrocious conditions of the lion enclosure at Palestine’s Gaza Zoo. We can see that the lion cubs are kept in a dirty cage and although we don’t know if they’re kept in here all the time, it still seems like a pretty appalling way to treat any animal.

19 Poor Exploited Tiger At Zoo In Malaysia

This image doesn’t give us the full story of what kind of life this tiger leads at this zoo in Malaysia, but judging by the picture, it isn’t a happy one. A powerful, energetic creature being kept confined behind bars for human entertainment is just wrong.

18 Heart-Breaking Image Of A Bear In Russia

This has to be one of the most heart-breaking images we’ve ever seen. You don’t have to be any kind of animal expert to see the sadness in this poor bear’s eyes as it’s kept in a dry, boring, and depressing pit to be gawked at by humans.

17 More Exploitation At Gaza Zoo

This photo shows the same zoo as the one imprisoning the lion cubs above, located in Palestine. Even though we’re glad that the cubs weren’t separated from their mother, it still showcases the appalling conditions of the lion enclosure. The lions deserve better.

16 Elephant Kept Prisoner In Concrete Enclosure

Keeping such a large animal as an elephant confined in a concrete enclosure is especially cruel, which is why this picture is also hard to take in. It seems like such a gloomy and depressing place to spend your life, whether you’re an elephant or not.

15 Bored And Sad Lion Which Caught PETA's Attention

A lion lying on concrete and leaning on hard bars is just so unnatural. It’s no wonder this image caught PETA’s attention. This is the kind of animal that needs space to run free. It’s pure evil to keep it confined just to make money.

14 Depressed Polar Bear Kept In Unnatural Conditions

It’s true that this polar bear may just be sleeping, but PETA still doesn’t approve. Judging from the picture, it looks like the polar bear is depressed or extremely bored and is kept in unnatural conditions, once again for the benefit of humans.

13 Caged Chimps Are Too Common

Looking at photos of caged chimpanzees breaks our hearts. Remember, these are creatures with feelings. You can tell just by looking into the chimp’s eyes that it’s sad and longing to be released from its cage. Really, that cage is no different from a prison cell.

12 Poor Bear Kept Caged In Barren Enclosure

We can’t see the full extent of this bear’s enclosure, but what we can see looks barren and depressing. Bears just shouldn’t be kept behind bars in general, and it makes it even worse when the conditions inside the bars are dull and lacking

11 Not Good Enough: Chimpanzee Kept In Claustrophobic Cage

This is another example of pure evil. There is no excuse for keeping a chimpanzee in a cage like this, especially if it’s for a lengthy amount of time. These actions just aren’t good enough and reinforce that certain zoos need to be shut down.

10 Tiger Kept Prisoner At This Indonesian Zoo

It’s not a stretch to say that this enclosure is reminiscent of a dungeon. While we’re glad that there appears to be green open space for the tiger at the back of the cage, we don’t know how long it has to spend behind bars.

9 Terrible: Lion De-Clawed In Palestine Zoo

Another image that is really difficult to look at. The photo shows a tiger that was de-clawed at this Palestinian zoo just so humans could pet it without any fear of injury. PETA is trying to prevent this kind of thing in the USA, but it still happens all over the world.

8 Elephants Exploited For Fun In Southeast Asia

These elephants may look like they’re having fun, but they’re not. They’re being exploited. To learn how to perform these tricks, they would have had to undergo strict and unfair training. Elephants are often “broken in” to train them. If you ever get the chance to ride an elephant, please turn it down.

7 Bear Kept In Abysmal Conditions In Mosul Zoo

Here’s another photo of another bear kept in more abysmal conditions in Mosul Zoo. Regardless of how long the creature has to stay in this small, depressing, and hazardous closure is irrelevant. It shouldn’t be kept in there at all.

6 Polar Bear Kept In Hot Argentinian Zoo

It’s not hard to understand that certain animals belong in certain climates. When you take them out of those climates and can’t properly emulate the conditions they need in their new home, it’s cruel. This bear’s name was Arturo. He died depressed in an Argentinian zoo at the age of 30.

5 Elephant Forced To Give Rides In Canadian Zoo

Here’s another example of an elephant that is probably abused and mistreated behind the scenes. Elephants learn tricks through harsh, painful training. There is nothing kind about keeping an elephant confined and using them for human entertainment. The people may be smiling, but the elephant is not.

4 Poor Polar Bear Kept Away From Natural Habitat

This is another image of a polar bear kept out of its natural climate and in a much hotter climate than what it’s used to. With a thick coat like that, this polar bear would obviously become uncomfortable in locations where the climate is hot.

3 Bear Kept In Shockingly Small Cage

Yet another image of a bear kept in a shockingly small cage. While at least this enclosure has some stimulation in the form of the logs and the ground features grass instead of concrete, it’s still keeping the animal in captivity behind bars.

2 Elephants Kept In Captivity In Seattle Zoo

This image shows one of the elephants that was kept in captivity in the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Thankfully, the elephant exhibit at the zoo was closed after people complained about the poor conditions that the elephants were kept in.

1 Monkey Chained And Caged At This Bahrain Zoo

This is just disgusting. Not only is this poor monkey kept caged in a dry, concrete enclosure in this Bahrain zoo, but it’s also chained to the wall by the neck. It’s hard to look at it. There is absolutely no excuse for this form of abuse and mistreatment.