That's how animals living in captivity feel. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. 1. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. 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. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. 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. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. PETA isn't alone. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. Most animals are taught to perform tricks and go against the grain of nature purely for human entertainment. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? 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. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Taking your family for a day out at the zoo has been a sort of tradition for a very long time and given recent statics the number of visitors is growing. Zoos also say that they save the endangered animals, but all they really care about is how much crowd the animal draws. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. People assume that because an animal can move great distances that they would choose to do that. If they have everything they need nearby, he argued, they would be happy with smaller territories. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. YES. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. This could cause problems for the animal. Copyrights 2023. Some 5,800 species of animals are covered by the treaty (along with 30,000 species of plants). Why? Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. As a result, many animals at zoos may die prematurely from stress or illness. Zoos - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. Once an animal has served its purpose, many zoos will either sell them or euthanize them. These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. The first zoos housed animals behind metal bars in spartan cages. Artificial environments. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. Your email address will not be published. All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. Orcas don't do well in captivity. Here's why. - Animals Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Zoos are a part of culture across the world. 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. Copyright OurEndangedWorld | All Rights Reserved, Environmental Organizations in The Philippines, Environmental Organizations in North America, Environmental Organizations in South America, Best Energy-Efficient Electric Fireplaces. A gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. 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. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical?: Arguments For - WorldAtlas However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. This may be true to some extent; however, many zoos are running breeding programs for their own benefit and have no interest in releasing their animals back into the wild. ViewResources. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. 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. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . There are a number of reasons why animals should not be kept in captivity. ", 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. The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. 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. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. 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. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. Mr. Hribal documented many stories of elephants making a run for it in one case repairing to a nearby woods with a pond for a mud bath. Keep on reading. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. 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. Reasons Why Animals Should not Be Kept in Zoos - GradesFixer 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. 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. By designing these enclosures so that many animals could be seen at once, without any bars or walls in the visitors lines of sight, he created an immersive panorama, in which the fact of captivity was supplanted by the illusion of being in nature. 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. Climate change around the world: In Postcards From a World on Fire, 193 stories from individual countries show how climate change is reshaping reality everywhere, from dying coral reefs in Fiji to disappearing oases in Morocco and far, far beyond. Why the world needs zoos | Dr Dave Hone | The Guardian Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. I pointed out that we cant ask animals whether they are happy with their enclosure size. Why zoos are good | Zoology | The Guardian A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. Should We Keep Animals in Zoos? - Scholastic This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. 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. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. Few federal laws protect the millions of wild animals who live in captivity in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos in the U.S. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. 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. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. 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. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. Private Possession: Many wild animals may be kept captive in private homes as pets. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. 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. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. Theres also the Zoological Association of America that operates in the United States. 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. The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. Why Zoos and Aquariums Are Beneficial - Association Of Zoos And Aquariums Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. 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. In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. As humans, we have no right to hunt and lock up animals for our enjoyment. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it cant meet the space requirements for most of its animals. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. 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. James Borrell: Eight reasons why zoos are good for conservation 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. Captive Animals - Animal Legal Defense Fund All rights reserved. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. Anyone can read what you share. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. There is no wild animal census in the United States, and many states have lax oversight, so any estimates about the population of wild animals in captivity is at best an educated guess. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. You can see exotic animals without the need for traveling. Such a transformation might free up some space. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. Do not reproduce without permission. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. 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. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. Animals are not able to bear living in small, unsuited environments. 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. Today, nearly every country in the world is a member of CITES. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. 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 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. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. Things to Know. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Its protections are minimal as well. 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. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. Ive heard and read some of their stories. 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. Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. In one escape, they worked together: One held a mop handle steady while her sister climbed it to freedom. Animals in zoos are easier to get various kinds of diseases because there are thousands of people around the animal every day. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. 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. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. 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. 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. Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current Students and the general public get a chance to learn about different species of animals. A 2014 study by the Society for Conservation Biology found that of over 2,800 children surveyed following visits to London Zoo, 62% showed no positive learning outcomes. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. 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. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. 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. 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. As a result, many zoos breed animals. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. In his Animal Park, which opened in 1907 in Hamburg, he designed cages that didnt look like cages, using moats and artfully arranged rock walls to invisibly pen animals. 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. Animals are forced to sleep, eat, and defecate in the same small area. Step away from the selfie stick. A.Z.A. Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. This is evident in killer whales' most vital body part: their teeth. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. 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? 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. They go to get out of the house, to get their children some fresh air, to see interesting animals. In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. 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. The idea of conserving animals that are at risk of going extinct is a great one; the problem is that not most zoos live up to it. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. 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. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . Many zoos will then resort to drugging animals in order to keep them docile and normal for the pleasure of the viewing public.
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