Should zoos exist essay: Should Zoos Still Exist or Not? The Arguments In 2014, the director of the E.A.Z.A. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. 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. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild animals. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. at the time estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 animals are euthanized in European zoos each year. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical.
Reasons Why Animals Should not Be Kept in Zoos - GradesFixer Animals are not able to bear living in small, unsuited environments. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. See Related: War and the Effect on Wildlife. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and "cold-blooded" animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. 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. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. 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.
Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos - AnimalLoveTalk.com Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their habitats. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. Such a transformation might free up some space. No, most likely not. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. Step away from the selfie stick. 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. ViewResources. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. In the end, he said, we live with our own constraints. He added, We are all captive in some regards to social and ethical and religious and other constraints on our life and our activities.. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. These laws help the animals and also people, since wild animals in captivity present a serious public safety risk. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. 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. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense.
Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? 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. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 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. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. Most animals are taught to perform tricks and go against the grain of nature purely for human entertainment. Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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.
Marine mammals in captivity | The Humane Society of the United States CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals.
Why Animals should not be Kept in Zoos? - StudyDriver.com The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. Animals are forced to sleep, eat, and defecate in the same small area. Display would be incidental. A Brief History of Zoos . Captive tigers pace back and forth, and in a 2014 study, researchers found that the time devoted to pacing by a species in captivity is best predicted by the daily distances traveled in nature by the wild specimens. It is almost as if they feel driven to patrol their territory, to hunt, to move, to walk a certain number of steps, as if they have a Fitbit in their brains. Copyrights 2023. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly.
WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY - Adobe Slate See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. Zoos often have insufficient knowledge of animals. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. Theres also the Zoological Association of America that operates in the United States. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. 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. We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org
Are Zoos Ethical? Arguments for and Against Zoos - Treehugger Some studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of zoo carnivores, 64 percent of zoo chimps and 85 percent of zoo elephants have displayed compulsive behaviors or stereotypies. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks.
RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. Learn More. 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. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. 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]. Do not reproduce without permission. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. Tell lawmakers you support animal-friendly legislation and local bans on using animals in entertainment. 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? The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. 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. When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. Its protections are minimal as well. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. 2. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance.
Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan Animals in zoos can sense this, and over time their confinement can lead to worrying behavioral changes. They are contained in small spaces, often made docile through drugs and other medications, and slowly strip away all autonomy and freedom from all animals.
Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals? 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. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. 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). 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. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. Non-native animals are held in conditions that vary greatly from what they are used to living in.
Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety.
32 Important Pros & Cons Of Zoos - E&C And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. In contrast, those nesting animals or cornered ones will try to defend themselves if being approached to protect their young. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. 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. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. 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. 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. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. 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. In 1982, only 22 condors existed in the wild. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. That's how animals living in captivity feel. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. The incident in Miami Seaquarium is proof that animals do not belong in captivity. Read on to find out why animals should not be kept in zoos. 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. Because so many diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as Ebola, Hantavirus, and the bird flu, zoos frequently conduct disease surveillance research in wildlife populations and their own captive populations that can lead to a direct impact on human health. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. What Mr. Ashe wants visitors to experience when they look at the animals is a sense of empathy for the individual animal, as well as the wild populations of that animal.. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up.
Articles on why animals should not be kept in zoos. Why Animals State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. 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. The A.Z.A. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. 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. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. ALSO READ: Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner. It gets even worse for the animal if the trainer is impatient, the poor beast will have to endure beatings over commands they dont understand. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes.
Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. 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. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. Some zoo animals try to escape. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. 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. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. 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. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. Anyone can read what you share. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life.
Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. 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. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Animals are an important part of nature and should have the right to live in their natural environment. 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. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community.