Should zoos exist essay: Should Zoos Still Exist or Not? The Arguments Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. 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. For intellectual property information and terms of use, visit our Intellectual Property Terms of Usepage. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. 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. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers dont get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. He also found many examples of zoo elephants hurting or killing their keepers and evidence that zoos routinely downplayed or even lied about those incidents. 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. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. A Brief History of Zoos . This is evident in killer whales' most vital body part: their teeth. With their apes, elephants, big cats, and other large and smart species gone, they could expand enclosures for the rest of the animals, concentrating on keeping them lavishly happy until their natural deaths. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. The first zoos housed animals behind metal bars in spartan cages. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. 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. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. 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. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. 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). So when they face a threat, wild animals believe that they should survive by fleeing, fighting, flirting, or freezing. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) But this is not the norm. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Are Zoos Ethical? Arguments for and Against Zoos - Treehugger Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. (The culling of mammals specifically in E.A.Z.A. 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? 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. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. Animals in captivity can struggle to adapt to their new environment. The Link Between Fasting And Mental Health: Can It Improve Mood And Cognition? Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Keep on reading. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger 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. Why? In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. See Related: Are Humans Animals? 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. 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. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. [WATCH]. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. 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. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Even if the animals are being fed well, the lack of freedom can cause them to be stressed. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Older menageries existed as far back as 2500 BCE, in Mesopotamia. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. Your email address will not be published. Once the ground has been left with no coverage, soil erosion will be the next step. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". BBC - Ethics - Animal ethics: Animals for entertainment We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. When big predators are brought up on dead meat and never have to hunt for themselves, mingle with the prey they cant hunt, and entertain humans with tricks, they get further from their natural behaviors. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Chimps pull out their own hair. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY - Adobe Slate Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. The required standard of care for wild animals, such as those held by zoos, is wide-ranging and nigh on impossible for zoos to provide. People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. PETA isn't alone. 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. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. A few zoos are famous for their conservation work. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. Zoo owners go to great lengths to build enclosures that have a wild aesthetic and give paying visitors a taste of the wild world. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. The first modern one was opened in Paris, France in 1793. Here is an example of just how harsh it can get when an animal is being trained to perform tricks. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. 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. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. 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. Why Animals Should Not Be Kept In Zoos - AnimalLoveTalk.com 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.. Most zoos dont focus on the educational aspect of zoos; the animals are mainly kept for amusement. ", 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. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. Captive Animals - Animal Legal Defense Fund 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. Theres also the Zoological Association of America that operates in the United States. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. This becomes a major blow to the biodiversity of the affected region. 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. 1. 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. Capturing animals even smart ones like apes, for amusement shouldnt be going on anywhere. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. This treaty is credited with helping foster international cooperation to protect some endangered and vulnerable species. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Zoos | Freedom for Animals For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. 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.. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. 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. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. 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. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal 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. Animals Should Not Be Kept in Captivity Persuasive Essay We use cookies to help ensure the best experience on our website. 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? 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. Thats true, he said. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. They could either bite, peck, scratch, kick, or flap their wings. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. 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. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. 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. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? Copyright 2023 The Science Times. Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. Zoos are home to many animals. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. 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. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. 17 Pros and Cons of Keeping Animals in Captivity - ConnectUS The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. This can make the animals neurotic, causing them to start biting bars, pacing repetitively, and swaying. A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. 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. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. 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". The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. See Related: Endangered Species in California. Students and the general public get a chance to learn about different species of animals. There are a number of reasons why animals should not be kept in captivity. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. That's how animals living in captivity feel. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. They are just some of the millions of wild animals living in captivity across the United States. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. 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. Privacy Policy. The Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES): CITES is an international treaty that regulates the trade of wildlife for nations that are signatories to the treaty. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). Another similar behavior of flirting is freezing, in which an animal does not move when there is no way of escape, like being caught in a trap or net even though they are terrified. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. Is Keeping Wild Animals In Zoos Unethical?: Arguments For - WorldAtlas 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its protections are minimal as well. There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. 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. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. Polar bears have one million times less space. 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. What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. Why Animals should not be Kept in Zoos? - StudyDriver.com 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. 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. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. Deforestation will be the next problem when animals such as moose, elks, and deer start eating everything even young trees. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. Wrong! In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. This could cause problems for the animal. In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. Why Zoos and Aquariums Are Beneficial - Association Of Zoos And Aquariums See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their habitats. However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. Animals in zoos can sense this, and over time their confinement can lead to worrying behavioral changes. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. All Rights Reserved. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. "Only 15% of the thousands of species held in zoos are considered 'threatened'," says Will Travers OBE, president of Born Free. If you go on holiday to any major destination, the chances are high that there will be at least one zoo and/or one aquarium nearby. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. 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. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. 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. What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.".
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