why animals should not be kept in zoos articles

India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and zoos. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. 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. The Humane Society of the United States believes that animals in bare tanks do not present a realistic image of natural behaviors or natural habitats. Pro and Con: Zoos | Britannica The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild 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. Private Possession: Many wild animals may be kept captive in private homes as pets. 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. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. See Related: How Similar is Human DNA to Other Animals. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Polar bears have one million times less space. When confined they rock, pull their hair and engage in other tics. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Should zoos exist essay: Should Zoos Still Exist or Not? The Arguments ", Published in the June 2017 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK), What to do in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, How to plan and book an Indian rail odyssey, Four of the best luxury sleeper trains in India, How Miami is re-embracing its modernist architecture, Where to eat in Clitheroe, the Ribble Valley's culinary hotspot, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society. 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. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Its protections are minimal as well. Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. 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. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and "cold-blooded" animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. 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.. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. Ive spent many memorable days in botanical gardens, completely swept away by the beauty of the design as well as the unending wonder of evolution and theres no uneasiness or guilt. One way that is rarely documented is the sale of other animals into the exotic pet trade. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. 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. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. Some zoo animals try to escape. The Brutal Truth About Seal Clubbing: Because Everyone Needs Dead Seal Pups (Not)! But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. Thats true, he said. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Animals Should Not Be Kept in Captivity Persuasive Essay Wrong! 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. Copyrights 2023. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. Zoos are a part of culture across the world. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. 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. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. That claim is up for debate. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. BBC - Ethics - Animal ethics: Animals for entertainment Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . Do not reproduce without permission. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. His father works for a large national Cat charity in the UK, and Alex has regularly taken part in fundraising events for them through the years. Zoos are home to many animals. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. In several cases, animals held in poor conditions at roadside zoos have been transferred to sanctuaries, after the Animal Legal Defense Fund brought lawsuits under the Endangered Species Act. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. Many visitors will disturb and disrespect the animals in a zoo simply because they feel as though they are owed a performance of some sort. People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. All Rights are Resvered. Your email address will not be published. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. Marine mammals in captivity | The Humane Society of the United States The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. Keep on reading. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. ViewResources. 1. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. Zoos are held to their word of conserving animals and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. For example, the law does not restrict the display or private ownership of captive wild animals or prohibit the use of controversial bullhooks, whips, electrical shock or other devices commonly used in circuses. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. Elephants figure prominently in his book, in part because they are so big that when they escape it generally makes the news. This can have huge negative effects on the environment in many adverse ways. This can make the animals neurotic, causing them to start biting bars, pacing repetitively, and swaying. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. 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". However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. There is no end to the risk of cross-contamination and disease spread, especially when considering the fact that lots of zoos fail to provide the correct standard of care. 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. Nature reserves, bird watching, going on a safari. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. 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. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Theres also the Zoological Association of America that operates in the United States. What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? According toAnimal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, fleeing or running away is the most popular reaction of animals towards humans. Lack of Sufficient Space No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it can't meet the space requirements for most of its animals. When it rains, the topsoil gets washed away leaving the land more exposed. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. Captive tigers pace back and forth, and in a 2014 study, researchers found that the time devoted to pacing by a species in captivity is best predicted by the daily distances traveled in nature by the wild specimens. It is almost as if they feel driven to patrol their territory, to hunt, to move, to walk a certain number of steps, as if they have a Fitbit in their brains. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. 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. facilities report spending approximately $231 million annually on conservation projects. 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. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. 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.. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. Early in the pandemic, the Neumunster Zoo in northern Germany coolly announced an emergency plan to cope with lost revenue by feeding some animals to other animals, compressing the food chain at the zoo like an accordion, until in the worst-case scenario, only Vitus, a polar bear, would be left standing. Wild dolphins swim up to 40 miles day with the other members of their pod, while captive dolphins are forced to swim in tiny pools with unfamiliar dolphins day after day. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. 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. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. 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. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . Check out more news and information on Wild Animalsin Science Times. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. Zoo elephants tend to die young. Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. 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. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. But that day of release never quite seems to come. Here they are relatively safe . In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. 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.. Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. 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. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. This could cause problems for the animal. When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. Boycott businesses that profit from cruelty to animals. Instead, they will hire generalists with a degree of knowledge specificity and run with that. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. 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). Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. Its protections are minimal as well. Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. 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. Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Deforestation Statistics, Puppy Mills vs. The Dark Truth behind Bear Bile Uses: Hidden Costs of Traditional Medicine, The Untold Story of Factory-farmed Cows the Consequences for Animal and Human Health, Are Giraffes Endangered? Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos - AnimalLoveTalk.com 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. While researching my book on the ethics of human interactions with wild species, Wild Souls, I examined how, exactly, zoos contribute to the conservation of wild animals. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. Zoos | Freedom for Animals Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. The surpluses are then sold off to zoos, aquariums, or even circuses. The lawsuit asserts the agency must be able to remove animals if the USDA has deemed the facility unable to provide minimum standards of care set out by the Animal Welfare Act. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. 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. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. 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. 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. 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 tiny yards while their free-ranging cousins walk up to 50 miles a day. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. 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? Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. For some animals in zoos, the shock of their relocation alone can be fatal. Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical?: Arguments For - WorldAtlas In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. All rights reserved. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. Here's What Experts Think. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. Ive heard and read some of their stories. Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! 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. That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. Here are some tips. 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]. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. In one escape, they worked together: One held a mop handle steady while her sister climbed it to freedom. Zoos often have insufficient knowledge of animals. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. Today, nearly every country in the world is a member of CITES. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. The window to the world of. Older menageries existed as far back as 2500 BCE, in Mesopotamia. We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. 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. 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. She could then climb the wire without being shocked. Help inform others by writing letters to your local newspapers and posting to social media. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. 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.

Myra Gale Brown, Ruby Curtis Before And After, How To Invite Candidates To Apply On Indeed, Is The Kingston Clan Still Active, Articles W