More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. Just as we humans are free to do whatever we want so long as we follow the law, then it shouldn't be different for animals. We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. When confined they rock, pull their hair and engage in other tics. Animals are forced to live in artificial habitats that arent anywhere close to their former homes (the wild). Required fields are marked *. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. Animals are an important part of nature and should have the right to live in their natural environment. The educational day out model of zoos endured until the late 20th century, when zoos began actively rebranding themselves as serious contributors to conservation. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. 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. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. The polar bears in Winnipeg have disco poo. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. 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. Keep on reading. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. 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 Zoos - AnimalLoveTalk.com See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? This isnt always guaranteed since the breeding practices could be insufficient or even produce animals that are not suitable for survival in the wild. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. Once again, a change of this magnitude can cause captive animals to exhibit changing behaviors, which include self-destructive acts and unrelenting restlessness. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). 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. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. The window to the world of. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? Many zoo animals are forcefully removed from their natural habitat. 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. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. 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. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. 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. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. 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. Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and zoos. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. [WATCH]. The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. In contrast, those nesting animals or cornered ones will try to defend themselves if being approached to protect their young. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Deforestation Statistics, Puppy Mills vs. Zoo owners go to great lengths to build enclosures that have a wild aesthetic and give paying visitors a taste of the wild world. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? Copyright 2023 The Science Times. Will we ever see all zoos closed down? However, they are really just teaching children about caring for animals in captivity. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. 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. The real question is, how can we change things? Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 See Related: Endangered Species in California. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. A Brief History of Zoos . They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. Display would be incidental. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals. The other argument zoos commonly make is that they educate the public about animals and develop in people a conservation ethic. 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. Marine mammals in captivity | The Humane Society of the United States 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. 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? 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. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. The Link Between Fasting And Mental Health: Can It Improve Mood And Cognition? 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. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. The others ran, and she pursued them, ignoring all other humans in her path. 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.". The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. 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. 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. Today, nearly every country in the world is a member of CITES. There are a few exceptions. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. This can have huge negative effects on the environment in many adverse ways. 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. Some populations in the wild are weakened by endogamy too. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. The researchers divided the odd behaviors of captive animals into two categories: impulsive/compulsive behaviors, including coprophagy (eating feces), regurgitation, self-biting and mutilation, exaggerated aggressiveness and infanticide, and stereotypies, which are endlessly repeated movements. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? 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.. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. 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. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. Here are some tips. 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. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. Should zoos exist essay: Should Zoos Still Exist or Not? The Arguments They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | The Minimalist Vegan Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. 12 Reasons Why Animals Should Not Be Kept in Zoos - Our Endangered World Your email address will not be published. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. 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]. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. 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. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. 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. 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. Should animals be kept in captivity? - The Current Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. When the caretakers are not well informed about the animals they are to be taking care of, it can be problematic. ALSO READ: Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. In most cases, animals in zoos lead very unhappy lives. For some animals, reintroduction will always be difficult, such as baby elephants, or pet cheetahs, both of which habituate to human care very quickly, says Moore of IFAW. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. 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. Do not reproduce without permission. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. 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. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. 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. Can captive animals ever truly return to the wild? | BBC Earth Some zoo animals try to escape. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. 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. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. Likewise, consuming sustainable seafood provides a valuable source of food for people and helps promote sustainable jobs. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. You can see exotic animals without the need for traveling. 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. Genes evolved over time to help the animal adjust to a man-made habitat can be a downside to the populations of the species in the wild. 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. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos - PETA UK Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. Zoos are a part of culture across the world. Zoos - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org Zoos | Freedom for 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. People assume that because an animal can move great distances that they would choose to do that. If they have everything they need nearby, he argued, they would be happy with smaller territories. These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. 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. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Why zoos are good | Zoology | The Guardian The process of training an animal is a long and brutal one. Chimps pull out their own hair. When it works out, breeding endangered animals has positive results that can be felt even in the human kingdom. Here's What Experts Think. 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. Zoos are home to many animals. Copyrights 2023. This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. Should zoos be banned? | National Geographic What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? These are species that would have vanished totally were it not for captive populations around the world, many of which reside in zoos (or, for plants, botanic gardens). For them, the best option is to fight back. For example, a lion might have a hard time adjusting to hunting for its meals when it has spent years being fed and lazing around. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. 1. Learn More. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. I pointed out that we cant ask animals whether they are happy with their enclosure size. Such zoos might even be merged with sanctuaries, places that take wild animals that because of injury or a lifetime of captivity cannot live in the wild. 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. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. James Borrell: Eight reasons why zoos are good for conservation They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Students and the general public get a chance to learn about different species of animals. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. A fine day out with the family might itself be justification enough for the existence of zoos if the zoo animals are all happy to be there. All things considered, animals should not be kept in zoos or aquariums. Depressed monkey See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. However, it does not change the fundamental fact that as the world changes, we must also become more aware of the darker side of such animal sanctuaries. Especially animals like lions that are used to roaming vast distances in the wild in search of food. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. In 2018, the Eighth Circuit issued a unanimous decision in Cricket Hollows appeal of that case, that it can be a violation of the Endangered Species Act when captive animals arent given proper care. Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. Four of the zoos and the aquarium in New York City, for instance, are managed by the Wildlife Conservation Society, which is involved in conservation efforts around the world. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. 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. A 2000 survey of U.S. and Canadian zoos found that nearly half of respondents were giving their gorillas Haldol, Valium or another psychopharmaceutical drug. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com.