I'm not sure whether these statements are the same or different in intent.
I do agree that if this message is not delivered or poorly delivered it is a vitally important opportunity lost.
My point was that it is not the only justification for zoos.
Thanks for pointing out the inconsistencies in the statements...I think that you are right and that I mean "primary mission" rather than "only justification". "Only justification" is too rigid of a statement.
It seems like the big picture message is "megafauna used to live all over the world including California; most of them went extinct recently (in evolutionary time) and we'd better get to work if we don't want to lose elephants and lions".
What's unfortunate is that with the many other meaningless things in this world, ignorant zoo visitors who go, (reluctantly, might I add) just to see "smelly animals," are often too lazy to take any of that in!
Even the simplest of information about what's being done for endangered animals doesn't get absorbed by the average visitor, and with conservation efforts being ignored by those who doesn't support it, there's barely anyone listening out there!
