why animals should not be kept in zoos articles

Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. The incident in Miami Seaquarium is proof that animals do not belong in captivity. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. says that its members host more than 50 reintroduction programs for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, a vast majority of zoo animals (there are 800,000 animals of 6,000 species in the A.Z.A.s zoos alone) will spend their whole lives in captivity, either dying of old age after a lifetime of display or by being culled as surplus.. Lack of trees to rain will then lead to less and less vegetation and eventually draught in the area which will force the surviving animals to migrate to areas with better conditions. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. As an avid fan of botanical gardens, I humbly suggest that as the captive animals retire and die off without being replaced, these biodiversity-worshiping institutions devote more and more space to the wonderful world of plants. In one escape, they worked together: One held a mop handle steady while her sister climbed it to freedom. Here are some tips. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. What if zoos stopped breeding all their animals, with the possible exception of any endangered species with a real chance of being released back into the wild? Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. Animals are stressed when they get separated from their packs or herds, especially when they end up as the only one of their kind in their new homes. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. Even the best zoological park cannot fully capture the wild, and many smaller zoos fail to take effective measures to ensure the health and well-being of their animals. Sadly, once the small animals outgrow their cute phase, the zoo has to get rid of them since feeding and housing them all can get expensive. Another similar behavior of flirting is freezing, in which an animal does not move when there is no way of escape, like being caught in a trap or net even though they are terrified. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. Having seen a majestic leopard in the zoo, the visitor becomes more willing to pay for its conservation or vote for policies that will preserve it in the wild. Zoos, aquariums, water parks, and other facilities can help to maintain the viability of endangered species when humanity does not do a good enough job of protecting the animals in the wild. Throughout history, men have accumulated large and fierce animals to advertise their might and prestige. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. The A.Z.A. Fish and Wildlife Service, suggested that learning how to breed animals contributes to conservation in the long term, even if very few animals are being released now. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. For many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. All Rights are Resvered. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. When big predators are brought up on dead meat and never have to hunt for themselves, mingle with the prey they cant hunt, and entertain humans with tricks, they get further from their natural behaviors. For some animals, reintroduction will always be difficult, such as baby elephants, or pet cheetahs, both of which habituate to human care very quickly, says Moore of IFAW. Zoos are expensive to run, often have a very tight budget, and cannot afford to maintain and support animals that do not pull their weight in terms of attraction. More than 6,000 comments made by the visitors were recorded, nearly half of which were purely descriptive statements that asserted a fact about the exhibit or the animal. The researchers wrote, In all the statements collected, no one volunteered information that would lead us to believe that they had an intention to advocate for protection of the animal or an intention to change their own behavior.. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and "cold-blooded" animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. However, this is often not much more than an illusion for the customer. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. Outside of providing sufficient space to allow natural behaviors to develop, issues such as climate, diet, and the formation of a social hierarchy where appropriate make running a zoo a difficult task. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. This is only one of the Acts limitations. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. A largely unregulated trend is the hybrid breeding of wild cats with house cats, with predictably disastrous consequences. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. Capturing animals even smart ones like apes, for amusement shouldnt be going on anywhere. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. Apes are excellent at escaping. Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. The law, adopted by Congress in 1966, protects so-called warm-blooded animals who are bred for commercial sale, used in research, transported commercially or publicly exhibited, like in a zoo or circus. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. No, most likely not. All things considered, animals should not be kept in zoos or aquariums. The daily stress and lack of stimulation often leads to abnormal and self-destructive behaviour - for example, pacing, walking in tight circles, rocking, swaying, or self-mutilation - a condition known as "zoochosis". See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. After being captives of the pandemic for more than a year, we have begun experiencing the pleasures of simple outings: dining al fresco, shopping with a friend, taking a stroll through the zoo. However, it does not change the fundamental fact that as the world changes, we must also become more aware of the darker side of such animal sanctuaries. A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Private Possession: Many wild animals may be kept captive in private homes as pets. She could then climb the wire without being shocked. There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. But, for every story that casts zoos in a bad light from Vince the rhino's poaching at Paris' Thoiry Zoo in March; Cincinnati Zoo shooting endangered gorilla, Harambe, last year after a child fell into his enclosure; or Copenhagen Zoo killing and publicly dissecting Marius, a two-year-old giraffe in 2014 there are heart-warming tales too. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Bears and cats pace. Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. That claim is up for debate. This is evident in killer whales' most vital body part: their teeth. Eventually, the only animals on display would be a few ancient holdovers from the old menageries, animals in active conservation breeding programs and perhaps a few rescues. Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! They are just some of the millions of wild animals living in captivity across the United States. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. For them, the best option is to fight back. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. Many zoos give children the wrong lessons about wild animals and how to protect animals. Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. The process of training an animal is a long and brutal one. If an animal cannot be given sufficient space or is suffering from stress and not behaving as expected, the zoo is within its right to kill the animal s. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. What people can do: Justin Gillis and Hal Harvey describe the types of local activismthat might be needed, while Saul Griffith points to how Australia shows the way on rooftop solar. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. He also found many examples of zoo elephants hurting or killing their keepers and evidence that zoos routinely downplayed or even lied about those incidents. A criticism is that protections are less robust for species that are economically valuable, and that CITES is not as transparent in its decision-making or enforcement as would be ideal. Copyrights 2023. YES. For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. Before anyone starts sprinkling the stuff on their cornflakes, this isn't the hottest new beauty trend nor is it a natural phenomenon: Assiniboine Park Zoo's keepers use coloured glitter in the bears' feed to identify their droppings. Reasons why people think keeping animals in zoos is bad for their welfare: the animal is deprived of its natural habitat; the animal may not have enough room; the animal is deprived of its natural . Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. As we snap a selfie by the sea lions for the first time in so long, it seems worth asking, after our collective ordeal, whether our pleasure in seeing wild animals up close is worth the price of their captivity. If you go on holiday to any major destination, the chances are high that there will be at least one zoo and/or one aquarium nearby. Animals are forced to live in artificial habitats that arent anywhere close to their former homes (the wild). When it rains, the topsoil gets washed away leaving the land more exposed. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. Animals held captive in zoos are in very small environments such as cages, and they have no freedom. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. At least 20 zoos in the United States have already ended their elephant exhibits in part because of ethical concerns about keeping the species captive. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . An example of this is a snake that will bite whatever is threatening them since they are not as good at running away as other animals. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Zoos are held to their word of conserving animals and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. We use cookies to help ensure the best experience on our website. In normalizing captivity zoos, and teaching animals to perform tricks for human entertainment, zoos and animal sanctuaries are spreading the message that animal captivity to normal, healthy, and fully acceptable. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. We say zoos are bad because animals are forced to live in unnatural, stressful, boring environments, leading to a lack of mental and physical stimulation. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. As humans, we have no right to hunt and lock up animals for our enjoyment. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . Display would be incidental. Some studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of zoo carnivores, 64 percent of zoo chimps and 85 percent of zoo elephants have displayed compulsive behaviors or stereotypies. Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! The required standard of care for wild animals, such as those held by zoos, is wide-ranging and nigh on impossible for zoos to provide. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. Some populations in the wild are weakened by endogamy too. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. A Brief History of Zoos . But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. Artificial environments. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. Zoos are a part of culture across the world. Animals are forced to sleep, eat, and defecate in the same small area. Especially animals like lions that are used to roaming vast distances in the wild in search of food. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. T he video above shows the tragic reality of how animals in captivity are mistreated and never get to experience freedom, or live how they were . Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Zoos are home to many animals. Deforestation will be the next problem when animals such as moose, elks, and deer start eating everything even young trees. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. People are fascinated by animals. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. See Related: Are Humans Animals? For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. Likewise, consuming sustainable seafood provides a valuable source of food for people and helps promote sustainable jobs. How Similar is Human DNA to Other Animals, Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years, 9 Best Solar-Powered Computers to Buy Today, 10 Impactful Ways to Conserve Coral Reefs. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. Zoological gardens have been working to help ensure that any endangered species are given another chance to thrive again over time. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. Lawsuit to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals Upon License Revocation, Demanding USDA Strengthen and Enforce AWA Licensees Recordkeeping Requirement for All Animal Deaths, Demanding USDA Revoke Animal Welfare Act License from Pennsylvania Roadside Zoo Claws N Paws, Big Cat Public Safety Act Passes the U.S. Senate in Victory for Animals, USDA to Strengthen Tracking of Animal Deaths at Licensed Facilities Following Legal Petition, Lawsuit Seeks to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals When Agency Revokes Licenses. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? 2. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. The most recent addition to the family, Willow, a cockapoo puppy, has settled straight into family life and now controls who sits where on the sofa. There is considerable variation from state to state and among cities and counties, as to how much legal protection is offered to captive wild animals. 2021 ScienceTimes.com All rights reserved. Animal Legal Defense Fund petition for rulemaking spurs reporting improvements: Forms will be revised to ensure AWA licensees maintain complete records of all animal deaths. Gus, a polar bear at the Central Park Zoo, was given Prozac as part of an attempt to stop him from swimming endless figure-eight laps in his tiny pool. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. All Rights Reserved. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. You can see exotic animals without the need for traveling. Ive heard and read some of their stories. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is rated four-stars by Charity Navigator, is a Platinum Level GuideStar Exchange participant, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, and an Independent Charity Seal of Excellence awardee, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, and impact. Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. They are contained in small spaces, often made docile through drugs and other medications, and slowly strip away all autonomy and freedom from all animals. The Arabian oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, went extinct in the wild in the 1970s and then was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations. "Only 15% of the thousands of species held in zoos are considered 'threatened'," says Will Travers OBE, president of Born Free. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. Here's What Experts Think. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. In 2014, the Animal Legal Defense Fund successfully brought a lawsuit under the Endangered Species Act against a roadside zoo called the Cricket Hollow Animal Park, that was mistreating protected animals. When a female gorilla named Johari kept fighting off the male she was placed with, the zoo dosed her with Prozac until she allowed him to mate with her.

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