You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. Once again, a change of this magnitude can cause captive animals to exhibit changing behaviors, which include self-destructive acts and unrelenting restlessness. What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. They are just some of the millions of wild animals living in captivity across the United States. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. Here's What Experts Think. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. 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. The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. 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. That claim is up for debate. 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. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. In states without tight enough regulation, local jurisdictions oftentimes adopt ordinances that ban or restrict the display of captive wild animals. The others ran, and she pursued them, ignoring all other humans in her path. Life expectancy for animals in captivity depends on a couple of things, such as their way of life, among other factors. Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. 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. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. In one escape, they worked together: One held a mop handle steady while her sister climbed it to freedom. Instead, they will hire generalists with a degree of knowledge specificity and run with that. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. Reintroduced animals have a hard time coping with life in the wild after long periods away. In the 1980s, a group of orangutans escaped several times at the San Diego Zoo. So when they face a threat, wild animals believe that they should survive by fleeing, fighting, flirting, or freezing. In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. Animal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner, Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. 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. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. 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". Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. 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. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. 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. 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. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. 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. 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. 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.. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. Though the idea of breeding endangered animals to help increase their numbers back in the wild is great, there are problems that come with it. Step away from the selfie stick. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. 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. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. The surpluses are then sold off to zoos, aquariums, or even circuses. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. 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? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. 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. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. 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. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. This paper is going to discuss why animals should not be kept in captivity. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. The first modern one was opened in Paris, France in 1793. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. 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. With increased awareness about the cruelty involved with keeping wild animals in captivity, more and more jurisdictions are enacting legal protections. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. All rights reserved. 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 gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. This is only one of the Act's limitations. 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 in the wild are naturally shy to humans. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. The Dark Truth behind Bear Bile Uses: Hidden Costs of Traditional Medicine, The Untold Story of Factory-farmed Cows the Consequences for Animal and Human Health, Are Giraffes Endangered? 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. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. 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. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. 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. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. 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? They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. When the caretakers are not well informed about the animals they are to be taking care of, it can be problematic. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Artificial environments. An increase in the populations of herbivorous animals such as deer and buffalos isnt a good thing, especially not for the vegetation and ground cover. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. Local laws are often most effective in governing the private possession of exotic animals. Learn More. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. Lack of learning valuable animal life skills such as hunting and social structures eventually leads to the alteration of the said animals behavior. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. When she caught up with the boys at the cafe, she mauled them before she was shot to death by the police. But that day of release never quite seems to come. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. The window to the world of. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Its protections are minimal as well. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. facilities report spending approximately $231 million annually on conservation projects. Some zoo animals try to escape. A zoological park is defined as an establishment designed for conservation, study, and public display. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. 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. In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. Breeders: How to Stop Puppy FarmsPermanently. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. Many visitors will disturb and disrespect the animals in a zoo simply because they feel as though they are owed a performance of some sort. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. 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. 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. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Animal Legal Defense Fund,National Headquarters And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. This is only one of the Acts limitations. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. This is evident in killer whales' most vital body part: their teeth. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. Animals in the wild are naturally shy to humans. 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. 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]. We have good models of captive wild animal protection laws outside of this country as well. For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. 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. 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. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. 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. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. 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). Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. Such a transformation might free up some space. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. As a result, many animals at zoos may die prematurely from stress or illness. Copyrights 2023. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. Zoological gardens have been working to help ensure that any endangered species are given another chance to thrive again over time. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/opinion/zoos-animal-cruelty.html, Photographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. Whats Causing Their Decline? The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. Ive heard and read some of their stories. Keep on reading. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. This is how animals get physical and psychological scars from abuse. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. 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. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Animals are not able to bear living in small, unsuited environments. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. 2. They are contained in small spaces, often made docile through drugs and other medications, and slowly strip away all autonomy and freedom from all animals. 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. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. Animals need physical stimulation and a level of interaction with nature that we, as humans, cannot understand, let alone interpret and recreate. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. There are a number of reasons why animals should not be kept in captivity. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. 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. 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. Bears and cats pace. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. 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. Non-native animals are held in conditions that vary greatly from what they are used to living in. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. All Rights Reserved. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. Sadly, most of these associations end up protecting the interests of their members, and not the animals they should be protecting. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. These laws help the animals and also people, since wild animals in captivity present a serious public safety risk. 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. 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. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. Some studies have shown that as many as 80 percent of zoo carnivores, 64 percent of zoo chimps and 85 percent of zoo elephants have displayed compulsive behaviors or stereotypies. Read on to find out why animals should not be kept in zoos. Due to the low density of the population of some animals in their natural ecosystems they struggle to find partners. Some populations in the wild are weakened by endogamy too. At least 20 zoos in the United States have already ended their elephant exhibits in part because of ethical concerns about keeping the species captive. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. The Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act, the ESA, is a federal law that protects fish, mammals, birds and plants listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. and beyond. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. Zoos often have insufficient knowledge of animals. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. 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.