why animals should not be kept in zoos articles why animals should not be kept in zoos articles

Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. 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. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. Elephants bob their heads over and over. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. 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. In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. 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. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Since most countries dont have any regulations on how to handle animals in zoos, these business people can do whatever it takes to make the most profits possible. YES. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to quantify. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. But that day of release never quite seems to come. The incident in Miami Seaquarium is proof that animals do not belong 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. That's how animals living in captivity feel. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. 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. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. The Arabian oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, went extinct in the wild in the 1970s and then was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations. 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. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. 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? Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. Sadly, most of these associations end up protecting the interests of their members, and not the animals they should be protecting. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. 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. Reintroduced animals have a hard time coping with life in the wild after long periods away. Photographs by Peter Fisher. Zoos also say that they save the endangered animals, but all they really care about is how much crowd the animal draws. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. Taking your family for a day out at the zoo has been a sort of tradition for a very long time and given recent statics the number of visitors is growing. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. 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. A Brief History of Zoos . But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. Keep on reading. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. Boycott businesses that profit from cruelty to animals. A gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. They go to get out of the house, to get their children some fresh air, to see interesting animals. This is only one of the Act's limitations. Its protections are minimal as well. Things to Know. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. 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]. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Animals are forced to live in artificial habitats that arent anywhere close to their former homes (the wild). Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. Once again, a change of this magnitude can cause captive animals to exhibit changing behaviors, which include self-destructive acts and unrelenting restlessness. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. Once an animal has served its purpose, many zoos will either sell them or euthanize them. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. Will we ever see all zoos closed down? For animals in zoos, the AWA sets low requirements as to housing, food and sanitation, and, as is commonly noted, no requirements for mental stimulation of animals other than primates. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. 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. I once overheard two schoolchildren at the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington confess to each other that they had assumed that elephants were mythical animals like unicorns before seeing them in the flesh. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. After being captives of the pandemic for more than a year, we have begun experiencing the pleasures of simple outings: dining al fresco, shopping with a friend, taking a stroll through the zoo. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. If an untrained zookeeper comes across a stubborn animal, they might hurt it if they are impatient. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. This support of the exotic pet trade also results in a lot of preventable animal deaths. Alas, theres plenty of heartbreaking evidence that many are not. 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. Copyrights 2023. All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. The same applies to elephants. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. They are just some of the millions of wild animals living in captivity across the United States. That claim is up for debate. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. 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 many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. 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. But this is not the norm. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? This could cause problems for the animal. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. I find one statistic particularly telling about their priorities: A 2018 analysis of the scientific papers produced by association members between 1993 and 2013 showed that just about 7 percent of them annually were classified as being about biodiversity conservation.. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. Here's What Experts Think. The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. 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. 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. 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. Elephants figure prominently in his book, in part because they are so big that when they escape it generally makes the news. Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? All Rights are Resvered. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and "cold-blooded" animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. 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.. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and zoos. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. 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. 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. 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. Bears and cats pace. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. People are fascinated by animals. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. Lack of learning valuable animal life skills such as hunting and social structures eventually leads to the alteration of the said animals behavior. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. This treaty is credited with helping foster international cooperation to protect some endangered and vulnerable species. Display would be incidental. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. Young chimpanzees on movie sets are trained through regular beatings and then discarded around age 8 when they become too large to control. Some 5,800 species of animals are covered by the treaty (along with 30,000 species of plants). However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. This becomes a major blow to the biodiversity of the affected region. 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. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. 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. The real question is, how can we change things? When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense. Depressed monkey 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. She could then climb the wire without being shocked. This conservation focus must be a key component for institutions that want to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization that sets standards and policies for facilities in the United States and 12 other countries. 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. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. 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. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans.