why animals should not be kept in zoos articles

The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. 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. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. Some populations in the wild are weakened by endogamy too. 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. 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. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. This goes to the detriment of the animals in zoos and puts them at risk of receiving inadequate care. For some animals in zoos, the shock of their relocation alone can be fatal. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Having seen a majestic leopard in the zoo, the visitor becomes more willing to pay for its conservation or vote for policies that will preserve it in the wild. The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. Properly curated and interpreted, a well-run garden can be a site for a rewarding outing with friends or family, a source of education for the 27 percent of people who read signs and a point of civic pride. Its protections are minimal as well. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. 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. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. 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. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. 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. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. facilities report spending approximately $231 million annually on conservation projects. For them, the best option is to fight back. 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. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. Learn More. The process of training an animal is a long and brutal one. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. worldanimalfoundation.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Other Programs, an affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the Partners. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. Privacy Policy. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. T he video above shows the tragic reality of how animals in captivity are mistreated and never get to experience freedom, or live how they were . For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. Wild animals have certain behaviors that are uniquely influenced by their environments. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. The window to the world of. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. 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. Chimps pull out their own hair. Alas, theres plenty of heartbreaking evidence that many are not. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. 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. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. 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. Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. 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. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. 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? That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. Another time, one of the orangutans, Kumang, learned how to use sticks to ground the current in the electrical wire around her enclosure. Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. 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. 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. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. The allure of baby animals and the crowds they pull can lead a zoological garden director to increase them to keep attracting customers. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Throughout history, men have accumulated large and fierce animals to advertise their might and prestige. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Zoos are expensive to run, often have a very tight budget, and cannot afford to maintain and support animals that do not pull their weight in terms of attraction. 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. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. 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. No, most likely not. Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! 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. 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. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. 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. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. 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. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. Increasingly, animals were presented with the distasteful fact of their imprisonment visually elided. Polar bears have one million times less space. 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 have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. 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. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. 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. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild animals. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/opinion/zoos-animal-cruelty.html, Photographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. They are just some of the millions of wild animals living in captivity across the United States. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. 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. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. An example of this is a snake that will bite whatever is threatening them since they are not as good at running away as other animals. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. 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. Artificial environments. All Rights Reserved. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. 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. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Many zoos will then resort to drugging animals in order to keep them docile and normal for the pleasure of the viewing public. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. 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. Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? The common negative effects of zoos on animals are listed below. This could cause problems for the animal. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. People are fascinated by animals. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. Instead, they will hire generalists with a degree of knowledge specificity and run with that. 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". When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. 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. PETA isn't alone. 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. Most zoos or animal sanctuaries dont have the space or the facilities to truly recreate the wild. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. This is only one of the Acts limitations. In states without tight enough regulation, local jurisdictions oftentimes adopt ordinances that ban or restrict the display of captive wild animals. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. A few zoos are famous for their conservation work. 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. But that day of release never quite seems to come. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. 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. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. 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. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. 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. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. Due to the low density of the population of some animals in their natural ecosystems they struggle to find partners. In zoos, elephants are often given a small outside enclosure and an internal house. This is nowhere near enough space to provide an elephant with a life comparable to that of its wild counterparts. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Animals are an important part of nature and should have the right to live in their natural environment. All rights reserved. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. Will we ever see all zoos closed down? This can make the animals neurotic, causing them to start biting bars, pacing repetitively, and swaying. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. 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. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. Your email address will not be published. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. There are a few exceptions. 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. WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? Their droppings look like little glitterballs. 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. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. Non-native animals are held in conditions that vary greatly from what they are used to living in. In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. This is only one of the Act's limitations. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. Ive heard and read some of their stories. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. 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. Zoo elephants tend to die young. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? Are Sliding Doors or French Doors More Energy Efficient? The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. See Related: How Similar is Human DNA to Other Animals. There are a number of reasons why animals should not be kept in captivity. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. Theres also the Zoological Association of America that operates in the United States. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Animal Legal Defense Fund petition for rulemaking spurs reporting improvements: Forms will be revised to ensure AWA licensees maintain complete records of all animal deaths. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. 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. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. Animals in zoos can sense this, and over time their confinement can lead to worrying behavioral changes. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. 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. As we snap a selfie by the sea lions for the first time in so long, it seems worth asking, after our collective ordeal, whether our pleasure in seeing wild animals up close is worth the price of their captivity. Keeping animals in captivity can prevent their extinction. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. Photographs by Peter Fisher. The real question is, how can we change things? 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. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. Here they are relatively safe . Breeders: How to Stop Puppy FarmsPermanently. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Animals in zoos are easier to get various kinds of diseases because there are thousands of people around the animal every day. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Once the ground has been left with no coverage, soil erosion will be the next step. Animals need physical stimulation and a level of interaction with nature that we, as humans, cannot understand, let alone interpret and recreate. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. Sadly, most of these associations end up protecting the interests of their members, and not the animals they should be protecting. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. According toAnimal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, fleeing or running away is the most popular reaction of animals towards humans. sykesville police blotter, ithaka poem jackie kennedy, funny marvel quotes for graduation,

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