why animals should not be kept in zoos articles

Polar bears have one million times less space. Animals are forced to sleep, eat, and defecate in the same small area. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. Most animals are taught to perform tricks and go against the grain of nature purely for human entertainment. We have good models of captive wild animal protection laws outside of this country as well. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. In the case of America, our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths. But this is not the norm. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. According to an article inPlant Based News, marine parks and aquariums are a billion-dollar industry that exists to entertain the public by catching fish and sea mammals from the wild and using them as live exhibits. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. An increase in the populations of herbivorous animals such as deer and buffalos isnt a good thing, especially not for the vegetation and ground cover. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. In the end, he said, we live with our own constraints. He added, We are all captive in some regards to social and ethical and religious and other constraints on our life and our activities.. 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. 1. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. or the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria have studbooks and genetic pedigrees and carefully breed their animals as if they might be called upon at any moment to release them, like Noah throwing open the doors to the ark, into a waiting wild habitat. 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? The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? Help inform others by writing letters to your local newspapers and posting to social media. The shooting of Harambe the gorilla spawned the most-shared meme of 2016 and caused a hounded Cincinnati Zoo to suspend its social media accounts. But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. Do not reproduce without permission. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild animals. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. 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. 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. However, only a certain number of each species are really needed, and so should breeding result in a sharp increase, these numbers are reduced via various methods. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. Few federal laws protect the millions of wild animals who live in captivity in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos in the U.S. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Yes And Someone is Paying Attention, Swimming with The Seahorse: Discover Their Mystical Charisma. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers dont get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Whats Causing Their Decline? The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. I find one statistic particularly telling about their priorities: A 2018 analysis of the scientific papers produced by association members between 1993 and 2013 showed that just about 7 percent of them annually were classified as being about biodiversity conservation.. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. at the time estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 animals are euthanized in European zoos each year. Yes, it is time consuming and it is expensive, but if it is possible, we have to try, simply because is the right thing to do.". This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. A gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. Zoo animals, this new narrative went, function as backup populations for wild animals under threat, as well as ambassadors for their species, teaching humans and motivating them to care about wildlife. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. 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. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. Instead, they will hire generalists with a degree of knowledge specificity and run with that. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. Here they are relatively safe . Giant Insect From Jurassic Era Found in Walmart Opens Deeper Ecological Questions, 3,500-Year-old Perfectly Preserved, Mummified Bear Might Lead to 'Breakthrough in Ancient Animal Study', Presumed Extinct Funji-eating Fairy Lantern Plant Found Emerging Again in Japan, How Did Missing Argentinian Man's Remains Get Into a Shark's Stomach? Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. Properly curated and interpreted, a well-run garden can be a site for a rewarding outing with friends or family, a source of education for the 27 percent of people who read signs and a point of civic pride. Privacy Policy. For some animals in zoos, the shock of their relocation alone can be fatal. Four of the zoos and the aquarium in New York City, for instance, are managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, which is involved in conservation efforts around the world. Artificial environments. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. This is the image of the zoo I grew up with: the unambiguously good civic institution that lovingly cared for animals both on its grounds and, somehow, vaguely, in their wild habitats. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. That's how animals living in captivity feel. Such a transformation might free up some space. Its protections are minimal as well. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . In the 1980s, a group of orangutans escaped several times at the San Diego Zoo. This conservation focus must be a key component for institutions that want to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization that sets standards and policies for facilities in the United States and 12 other countries. All Rights are Resvered. The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. 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 . The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. NASA's DART Mission Successfully Changed the Trajectory of Space Rock Dimorphos, Asteroid Ryugu Richly Harbors Building Blocks of Life, Scientists Reveal, SpaceXs Crew-6 Astronauts Aboard Dragon Capsule Endeavor Will Arrive at Space Station Early Friday [WATCH LIVE]. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. Especially animals like lions that are used to roaming vast distances in the wild in search of food. A zoological park is defined as an establishment designed for conservation, study, and public display. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. Here are some of the major ways that these jurisdictions are protecting wild captive animals under the law: Restricting Private Parties From Keeping Wild Animals: Some states ban the keeping of wild and exotic animals. Zoos often have insufficient knowledge of animals. Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. Bears and cats pace. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. 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.. There are a great many negative effects of zoos on animals.When we visit zoos, we can see they often go to great lengths in order to recreate the animals natural habitats. 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. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! 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. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. However, this is often not much more than an illusion for the customer. Once the ground has been left with no coverage, soil erosion will be the next step. The educational day out model of zoos endured until the late 20th century, when zoos began actively rebranding themselves as serious contributors to conservation. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 The A.Z.A.s policies allow for the euthanasia of animals, but the president of the association, Dan Ashe, told me, its very rarely employed by his member institutions. 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). YES. Are Sliding Doors or French Doors More Energy Efficient? Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Animals in captivity can struggle to adapt to their new environment. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. Zoos often do more harm than good, creating unnatural environments that look realistic enough to make any potential return to the wild all but impossible. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. The Link Between Fasting And Mental Health: Can It Improve Mood And Cognition? Though the idea of breeding endangered animals to help increase their numbers back in the wild is great, there are problems that come with it. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. 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. Here is an example of just how harsh it can get when an animal is being trained to perform tricks. [WATCH]. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. Alas, theres plenty of heartbreaking evidence that many are not. 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. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. For example, a lion might have a hard time adjusting to hunting for its meals when it has spent years being fed and lazing around. Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. Carl Hegenbeck, a German exotic animal importer, introduced the modern model of more natural habitats for animals instead of obvious cages at his Animal Park in Hamburg in 1907. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. "Only 15% of the thousands of species held in zoos are considered 'threatened'," says Will Travers OBE, president of Born Free. Many suffer from arthritis and other joint problems from standing on hard surfaces; elephants kept alone become desperately lonely; and all zoo elephants suffer mentally from being cooped up in. Many zoos give children the wrong lessons about wild animals and how to protect animals. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. Boycott businesses that profit from cruelty to animals. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. The environment that these animals are kept in isnt natural to them more so the animals that are taken from the wilderness and kept in zoos. A Brief History of Zoos . See Related: Endangered Species in California. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. 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, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. As a result, many animals at zoos may die prematurely from stress or illness. 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 . Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. Many zoos fail to provide the required minimum standard of care, Zoos dont replicate animals natural habitats, Zoos teach people that animal captivity is acceptable, Animal protection laws are not strong enough, Many visitors disturb and disrespect the animals, Zoo animals are often drugged to be kept calm. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. Here's What Experts Think. Power-mad men from Henry III to Saddam Husseins son Uday to the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar to Charlemagne all tried to underscore their strength by keeping terrifying beasts captive. What Mr. Ashe wants visitors to experience when they look at the animals is a sense of empathy for the individual animal, as well as the wild populations of that animal.. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Your email address will not be published. In 2018, the Eighth Circuit issued a unanimous decision in Cricket Hollows appeal of that case, that it can be a violation of the Endangered Species Act when captive animals arent given proper care. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. The real question is, how can we change things? Display would be incidental. State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. If an untrained zookeeper comes across a stubborn animal, they might hurt it if they are impatient. A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. Required fields are marked *. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some of the captive-born animals are not capable of sustaining themselves in the wild and they could pass on these genes dooming the whole species in that region. India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and zoos. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. Zoos are held to their word of conserving animals and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. As a result, many zoos breed animals. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. In 1898, the reason was cited by the New York Zoological Society when it resolved to inform the public of the continued decline in animal populations, to stimulate sentiment in favor of animal protection, and to cooperate with scientific organizations to ensure the preservation of species. 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. With their apes, elephants, big cats, and other large and smart species gone, they could expand enclosures for the rest of the animals, concentrating on keeping them lavishly happy until their natural deaths. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. 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. Most zoos or animal sanctuaries dont have the space or the facilities to truly recreate the wild. All things considered, animals should not be kept in zoos or aquariums. Wildlife experts said that the incident was just another proof that wild animals should not be kept captive because it would not happen had the dolphin was only in the wild. Animal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner, Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? 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. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. 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. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. Kept in barren cages rarely larger than 20 by 20 feet, bears in roadside zoos spend their days pacing, sleeping abnormally long periods of time, and bobbing their head all indications of extreme psychological distress. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. 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. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. Zoo elephants tend to die young. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Thats true, he said. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. Some zoo animals try to escape. 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.

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