2022.08.24 WednesdaySome are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. 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. Photographs by Peter Fisher. The first modern one was opened in Paris, France in 1793. 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. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical?: Arguments For - WorldAtlas There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. 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 worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. People are fascinated by animals. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Such a transformation might free up some space. Local laws are often most effective in governing the private possession of exotic animals. If an untrained zookeeper comes across a stubborn animal, they might hurt it if they are impatient. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. In most cases, animals in zoos lead very unhappy lives. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain. See Related: Endangered Species in California. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. 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. The Enigmatic Wombats: Surprising Facts and Myths Debunked. Articles on why animals should not be kept in zoos. Why Animals Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos - AnimalLoveTalk.com 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. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Animals are removed from their natural habitats. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? 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. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. Yes And Someone is Paying Attention, Swimming with The Seahorse: Discover Their Mystical Charisma. Apes are excellent at escaping. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. 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. However, they are really just teaching children about caring for animals in captivity. 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. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? Polar bears have one million times less space. PETA says: "People who care about protecting endangered species should donate to organisations that safeguard them in their natural habitats if a species' native environment has been destroyed, there's nowhere left for the animals to go. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. 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. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. With their apes, elephants, big cats, and other large and smart species gone, they could expand enclosures for the rest of the animals, concentrating on keeping them lavishly happy until their natural deaths. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. 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. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. But that day of release never quite seems to come. 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. ViewResources. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 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. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. Required fields are marked *. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/opinion/zoos-animal-cruelty.html, Photographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. In contrast, those nesting animals or cornered ones will try to defend themselves if being approached to protect their young. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. All Rights Reserved. Lack of learning valuable animal life skills such as hunting and social structures eventually leads to the alteration of the said animals behavior. 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. This is the image of the zoo I grew up with: the unambiguously good civic institution that lovingly cared for animals both on its grounds and, somehow, vaguely, in their wild habitats. Some populations in the wild are weakened by endogamy too. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. 17 Pros and Cons of Keeping Animals in Captivity - ConnectUS One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. This is only one of the Act's limitations. 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. 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. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. Zoological gardens have been working to help ensure that any endangered species are given another chance to thrive again over time. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. The role of our leaders: Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, found reasons for optimismin the Biden presidency, a feeling perhaps borne out by the passing of major climate legislation. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. 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. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. That claim is up for debate. 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. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. Life expectancy for animals in captivity depends on a couple of things, such as their way of life, among other factors. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. Zoos often have insufficient knowledge of animals. Why Are Zoos Bad? Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos In 1982, only 22 condors existed in the wild. Increasingly, animals were presented with the distasteful fact of their imprisonment visually elided. The allure of baby animals and the crowds they pull can lead a zoological garden director to increase them to keep attracting customers. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. This can have huge negative effects on the environment in many adverse ways. This paper is going to discuss why animals should not be kept in captivity. 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. Why? That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. 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? 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. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. 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.. 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.". Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. The Link Between Fasting And Mental Health: Can It Improve Mood And Cognition? Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. 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. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. Animals held captive in zoos are in very small environments such as cages, and they have no freedom. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. 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". Animal Legal Defense Fund,National Headquarters This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. Can captive animals ever truly return to the wild? | BBC Earth See Related: How Similar is Human DNA to Other Animals. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. As a result, many zoos breed animals. Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. Chimps pull out their own hair. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. Outside of providing sufficient space to allow natural behaviors to develop, issues such as climate, diet, and the formation of a social hierarchy where appropriate make running a zoo a difficult task. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. Before anyone starts sprinkling the stuff on their cornflakes, this isn't the hottest new beauty trend nor is it a natural phenomenon: Assiniboine Park Zoo's keepers use coloured glitter in the bears' feed to identify their droppings. Animals in zoos can sense this, and over time their confinement can lead to worrying behavioral changes. But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. 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). Zoo elephants tend to die young. Why Animals Should not be Kept in Zoos? Essay But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. Its protections are minimal as well. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. 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. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. Welfare of Wild Animals in Captivity | RSPCA Capturing animals even smart ones like apes, for amusement shouldnt be going on anywhere. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. 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. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. A largely unregulated trend is the hybrid breeding of wild cats with house cats, with predictably disastrous consequences. 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. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Due to the low density of the population of some animals in their natural ecosystems they struggle to find partners. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. 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. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. The educational day out model of zoos endured until the late 20th century, when zoos began actively rebranding themselves as serious contributors to conservation. 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