Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Why Animals should not be Kept in Zoos? - StudyDriver.com Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. See Related: Endangered Species in California. Zoos - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. 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. Why? Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. A largely unregulated trend is the hybrid breeding of wild cats with house cats, with predictably disastrous consequences. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) Learn More. This is due to the fact that many zoos want to keep as many animals as . The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. 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. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . facilities report spending approximately $231 million annually on conservation projects. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. 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.. The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan 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. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. All Rights Reserved. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain. The Enigmatic Wombats: Surprising Facts and Myths Debunked. Increasingly, animals were presented with the distasteful fact of their imprisonment visually elided. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. That's how animals living in captivity feel. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. Genes evolved over time to help the animal adjust to a man-made habitat can be a downside to the populations of the species in the wild. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. 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. Copyrights 2023. Things to Know. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? 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. Wild Animals Should Not Be Kept In Captivity - Medium They go to get out of the house, to get their children some fresh air, to see interesting animals. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. 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. 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. 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. Especially animals like lions that are used to roaming vast distances in the wild in search of food. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. Zoos | Freedom for Animals They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. 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. In a 2011 study, researchers quizzed visitors at the Cleveland, Bronx, Prospect Park and Central Park zoos about their level of environmental concern and what they thought about the animals. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. Its protections are minimal as well. More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. Yes And Someone is Paying Attention, Swimming with The Seahorse: Discover Their Mystical Charisma. ViewResources. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. Lack of Sufficient Space No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it can't meet the space requirements for most of its animals. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. 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. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. A gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . 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. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. 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? 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. 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. This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. 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. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Mr. Ashe, a former director of the U.S. In contrast, those nesting animals or cornered ones will try to defend themselves if being approached to protect their young. That claim is up for debate. The polar bears in Winnipeg have disco poo. Why zoos are good | Zoology | The Guardian Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. I do not doubt that some people had their passion for a particular species, or wildlife in general, sparked by zoo experiences. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. Young chimpanzees on movie sets are trained through regular beatings and then discarded around age 8 when they become too large to control. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. A quick google search reveals that a zoo is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public. 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. See Related: War and the Effect on Wildlife. 17 Pros and Cons of Keeping Animals in Captivity - ConnectUS The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. 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]. The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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). Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. 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. Step away from the selfie stick. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. There is more to natural environments than just looks. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. Older menageries existed as far back as 2500 BCE, in Mesopotamia. Animals are forced to live in artificial habitats that arent anywhere close to their former homes (the wild). In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. James Borrell: Eight reasons why zoos are good for conservation State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Whats Causing Their Decline? 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. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. Animals held captive in zoos are in very small environments such as cages, and they have no freedom. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. 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. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? 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. They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". Opinion | Zoos Are Bad for Animals - The New York Times Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. When it works out, breeding endangered animals has positive results that can be felt even in the human kingdom. 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. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. A 2019 report by World Animal Protection found that captive animals exhibitedabnormal levels of aggression, indicating that the attack in Miami Seaquarium was a direct result of captivity, despite claims that it is an isolated incident and is uncommon. Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. Animals Should Not Be Kept in Captivity Persuasive Essay They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Elephants figure prominently in his book, in part because they are so big that when they escape it generally makes the news. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. 2. However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. In states without tight enough regulation, local jurisdictions oftentimes adopt ordinances that ban or restrict the display of captive wild animals. 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.". 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos - PETA UK Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. If you go on holiday to any major destination, the chances are high that there will be at least one zoo and/or one aquarium nearby. 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. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. A.Z.A. You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. Your email address will not be published. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? 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. The allure of baby animals and the crowds they pull can lead a zoological garden director to increase them to keep attracting customers. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. Captive animals are forced to spend their lives swimming endlessly and aimlessly instead of traveling up to 100 miles a day at fast speeds in the wild. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. 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. 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. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. Are Zoos Ethical? Arguments for and Against Zoos - Treehugger NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. 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. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. Wild animals have certain behaviors that are uniquely influenced by their environments. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? 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. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? 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. As a result, many animals at zoos may die prematurely from stress or illness. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current Should We Keep Animals in Zoos? - Scholastic Such a transformation might free up some space. Check out more news and information on Wild Animalsin Science Times. (The culling of mammals specifically in E.A.Z.A. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. Many zoos will then resort to drugging animals in order to keep them docile and normal for the pleasure of the viewing public. Black-footed ferrets and red wolves in the United States and golden lion tamarins in Brazil all endangered, as well have been bred at zoos for reintroduction into the wild. What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. The most recent addition to the family, Willow, a cockapoo puppy, has settled straight into family life and now controls who sits where on the sofa. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. 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". Keeping animals in captivity can prevent their extinction. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical?: Arguments For - WorldAtlas In normalizing captivity zoos, and teaching animals to perform tricks for human entertainment, zoos and animal sanctuaries are spreading the message that animal captivity to normal, healthy, and fully acceptable. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. Sadly, most of these associations end up protecting the interests of their members, and not the animals they should be protecting. They could either bite, peck, scratch, kick, or flap their wings. Local laws are often most effective in governing the private possession of exotic animals. The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals.