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. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. 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. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. 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.. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. This is due to the fact that many zoos want to keep as many animals as . A.Z.A. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals? Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. Zoos are home to many animals. No, most likely not. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. At the end of the day, Zoos are largely unethical places that are built under the pretense of habitat conservation but really are there to earn money and entertain people who want to be able to say they saw real-life wild animals. Private Possession: Many wild animals may be kept captive in private homes as pets. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. This is only one of the Acts limitations. Capturing animals even smart ones like apes, for amusement shouldnt be going on anywhere. The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. It gets even worse for the animal if the trainer is impatient, the poor beast will have to endure beatings over commands they dont understand. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. Check out more news and information on Wild Animalsin Science Times. 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. Here they are relatively safe . For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. In zoos, elephants are often given a small outside enclosure and an internal house. This is nowhere near enough space to provide an elephant with a life comparable to that of its wild counterparts. Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. These are species that would have vanished totally were it not for captive populations around the world, many of which reside in zoos (or, for plants, botanic gardens). A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. Wrong! Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. BBC - Ethics - Animal ethics: Animals for entertainment at the time estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 animals are euthanized in European zoos each year. As humans, we have no right to hunt and lock up animals for our enjoyment. 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. These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. 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. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. 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. 32 Important Pros & Cons Of Zoos - E&C They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. 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. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. If an untrained zookeeper comes across a stubborn animal, they might hurt it if they are impatient. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. Display would be incidental. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. 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. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? The Link Between Fasting And Mental Health: Can It Improve Mood And Cognition? 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. 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 . There is more to natural environments than just looks. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Articles on why animals should not be kept in zoos. Why Animals A fine day out with the family might itself be justification enough for the existence of zoos if the zoo animals are all happy to be there. Wild Animals Should Not Be Kept In Captivity - Medium 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? There are a few exceptions. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current 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. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. The incident in Miami Seaquarium is proof that animals do not belong in captivity. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Are Zoos Ethical? Arguments for and Against Zoos - Treehugger 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. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos - PETA UK 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. 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. Why zoos are good | Zoology | The Guardian In 1982, only 22 condors existed in the wild. The Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES): CITES is an international treaty that regulates the trade of wildlife for nations that are signatories to the treaty. 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. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. As a result, many zoos breed animals. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. Mr. Ashe, a former director of the U.S. Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger PETA isn't alone. If you dont have people that know how to care for them, know how to breed them successfully, know how to keep them in environments where their social and psychological needs can be met, then you wont be able to do that, he said. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. 2021 ScienceTimes.com All rights reserved. See Related: Endangered Species in California. 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. A 2000 survey of U.S. and Canadian zoos found that nearly half of respondents were giving their gorillas Haldol, Valium or another psychopharmaceutical drug. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. [WATCH]. On the other hand, the researchers reported, there were no significant differences in survey responses before entering an exhibit compared with those obtained as visitors were exiting., A 2008 study of 206 zoo visitors by some members of the same team showed that while 42 percent said that the main purpose of the zoo was to teach visitors about animals and conservation, 66 percent said that their primary reason for going was to have an outing with friends or family, and just 12 percent said their intention was to learn about animals., The researchers also spied on hundreds of visitors conversations at the Bronx Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Another time, one of the orangutans, Kumang, learned how to use sticks to ground the current in the electrical wire around her enclosure. Most animals are taught to perform tricks and go against the grain of nature purely for human entertainment. Lack of Sufficient Space No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it can't meet the space requirements for most of its animals. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. 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. Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. All rights reserved. The researchers divided the odd behaviors of captive animals into two categories: impulsive/compulsive behaviors, including coprophagy (eating feces), regurgitation, self-biting and mutilation, exaggerated aggressiveness and infanticide, and stereotypies, which are endlessly repeated movements. Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. The better alternatives to zoos are the options that dont result in animals being held in conditions that are unsuitable and forced to live in natural environments. 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? Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. All Rights Reserved. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. Zoo elephants tend to die young. I do not doubt that some people had their passion for a particular species, or wildlife in general, sparked by zoo experiences. 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. Animals need physical stimulation and a level of interaction with nature that we, as humans, cannot understand, let alone interpret and recreate. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. But few federal laws protect these animals, who may be forced to perform or kept confined in small cages with little to keep their minds occupied and bodies well. Copyrights 2023. Since most countries dont have any regulations on how to handle animals in zoos, these business people can do whatever it takes to make the most profits possible. The Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act, the ESA, is a federal law that protects fish, mammals, birds and plants listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. and beyond. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. Apes are excellent at escaping. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Read on to find out why animals should not be kept in zoos. Tell lawmakers you support animal-friendly legislation and local bans on using animals in entertainment. 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. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. 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.
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