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. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. 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. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. Fish and Wildlife Service, suggested that learning how to breed animals contributes to conservation in the long term, even if very few animals are being released now. The statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. Privacy Policy. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive 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. Your email address will not be published. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. The most recent addition to the family, Willow, a cockapoo puppy, has settled straight into family life and now controls who sits where on the sofa. Here is an example of just how harsh it can get when an animal is being trained to perform tricks. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. Lawsuit to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals Upon License Revocation, Demanding USDA Strengthen and Enforce AWA Licensees Recordkeeping Requirement for All Animal Deaths, Demanding USDA Revoke Animal Welfare Act License from Pennsylvania Roadside Zoo Claws N Paws, Big Cat Public Safety Act Passes the U.S. Senate in Victory for Animals, USDA to Strengthen Tracking of Animal Deaths at Licensed Facilities Following Legal Petition, Lawsuit Seeks to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals When Agency Revokes Licenses. 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. Gus, a polar bear at the Central Park Zoo, was given Prozac as part of an attempt to stop him from swimming endless figure-eight laps in his tiny pool. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. Apes are excellent at escaping. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. 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. 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. 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. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . Here are some of the major ways that these jurisdictions are protecting wild captive animals under the law: Restricting Private Parties From Keeping Wild Animals: Some states ban the keeping of wild and exotic animals. ", Published in the June 2017 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK), What to do in the Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, How to plan and book an Indian rail odyssey, Four of the best luxury sleeper trains in India, How Miami is re-embracing its modernist architecture, Where to eat in Clitheroe, the Ribble Valley's culinary hotspot, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. 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. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. See Related: War and the Effect on Wildlife. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. In states without tight enough regulation, local jurisdictions oftentimes adopt ordinances that ban or restrict the display of captive wild animals. This support of the exotic pet trade also results in a lot of preventable animal deaths. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. 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. Many zoo animals are forcefully removed from their natural habitat. Keep on reading. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. 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. In the 1980s, a group of orangutans escaped several times at the San Diego Zoo. 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. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. This is only one of the Act's limitations. Keeping animals in captivity can prevent their extinction. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. PETA isn't alone. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. This treaty is credited with helping foster international cooperation to protect some endangered and vulnerable species. His father works for a large national Cat charity in the UK, and Alex has regularly taken part in fundraising events for them through the years. These laws help the animals and also people, since wild animals in captivity present a serious public safety risk. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. Even if the animals are being fed well, the lack of freedom can cause them to be stressed. Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. 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. This is only one of the Acts limitations. How Similar is Human DNA to Other Animals, Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years, 9 Best Solar-Powered Computers to Buy Today, 10 Impactful Ways to Conserve Coral Reefs. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. ViewResources. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. 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. The Enigmatic Wombats: Surprising Facts and Myths Debunked. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. According toAnimal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, fleeing or running away is the most popular reaction of animals towards humans. 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. Mr. Ashe, a former director of the U.S. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. 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. We use cookies to help ensure the best experience on our website. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. Zoos often do more harm than good, creating unnatural environments that look realistic enough to make any potential return to the wild all but impossible. All rights reserved. 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. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. First and foremost, captivity can be extremely detrimental to an animal's physical and mental well-being. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. ALSO READ: Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Learn More. The same applies to elephants. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. But that day of release never quite seems to come. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. In 2014, the director of the E.A.Z.A. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Black-footed ferrets and red wolves in the United States and golden lion tamarins in Brazil all endangered, as well have been bred at zoos for reintroduction into the wild. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. 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. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. 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 window to the world of. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. Wrong! Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org This is evident in killer whales' most vital body part: their teeth. 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.".