She could then climb the wire without being shocked. Its protections are minimal as well. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . 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. We have good models of captive wild animal protection laws outside of this country as well. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Its protections are minimal as well. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. Thats undeniable. His justification was philosophical. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. 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. 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. Nature reserves, bird watching, going on a safari. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. A small exhibit is never going to truly capture the vastness of the open world. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. People are fascinated by animals. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. 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. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. Privacy Policy. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. 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. We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. All Rights Reserved. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. Depressed monkey Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. For them, the best option is to fight back. Even if the animals are being fed well, the lack of freedom can cause them to be stressed. Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. The common negative effects of zoos on animals are listed below. Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. 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. I pointed out that we cant ask animals whether they are happy with their enclosure size. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. There are a few exceptions. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. Before anyone starts sprinkling the stuff on their cornflakes, this isn't the hottest new beauty trend nor is it a natural phenomenon: Assiniboine Park Zoo's keepers use coloured glitter in the bears' feed to identify their droppings. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. No, most likely not. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. Another time, one of the orangutans, Kumang, learned how to use sticks to ground the current in the electrical wire around her enclosure. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. However, only a certain number of each species are really needed, and so should breeding result in a sharp increase, these numbers are reduced via various methods. Mr. Fisher is a photographer based in New York. Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. 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]. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Chimps pull out their own hair. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. 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. Your email address will not be published. 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. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. A day may come, he said, when we need to breed elephants or tigers or polar bears in captivity to save them from extinction. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! 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. Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. 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. Local laws are often most effective in governing the private possession of exotic animals. 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. Apes are excellent at escaping. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? 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. For many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. What Mr. Ashe wants visitors to experience when they look at the animals is a sense of empathy for the individual animal, as well as the wild populations of that animal.. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. Elephants bob their heads over and over. Some zoo animals try to escape. 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. But this is not the norm. 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. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. The polar bears in Winnipeg have disco poo. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. Animals are an important part of nature and should have the right to live in their natural environment. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. Many zoos give children the wrong lessons about wild animals and how to protect animals. says that its members host more than 50 reintroduction programs for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, a vast majority of zoo animals (there are 800,000 animals of 6,000 species in the A.Z.A.s zoos alone) will spend their whole lives in captivity, either dying of old age after a lifetime of display or by being culled as surplus.. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. 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. Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! In 2014, the director of the E.A.Z.A. The A.Z.A. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. Well, scat reveals all sorts of things about individual animals; information the keepers share with the scientific community. At the end of the day, Zoos are largely unethical places that are built under the pretense of habitat conservation but really are there to earn money and entertain people who want to be able to say they saw real-life wild animals. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. YES. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. Polar bears have one million times less space. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. Zoos are built as a source of income for some. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. 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. 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. 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. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. 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. Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. 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. 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. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. Wild animals have certain behaviors that are uniquely influenced by their environments. All Rights are Resvered. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers dont get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. PETA says: "People who care about protecting endangered species should donate to organisations that safeguard them in their natural habitats if a species' native environment has been destroyed, there's nowhere left for the animals to go. Throughout history, men have accumulated large and fierce animals to advertise their might and prestige. This goes to the detriment of the animals in zoos and puts them at risk of receiving inadequate care. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. A gorilla named Togo at the Toledo Zoo used his incredible strength to bend the bars of his cage. Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. 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. Anyone can read what you share. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". The Animal Legal Defense Fund is rated four-stars by Charity Navigator, is a Platinum Level GuideStar Exchange participant, a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity, and an Independent Charity Seal of Excellence awardee, ensuring that we meet the highest standards of accountability, efficiency, and impact. 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. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. Animals are not able to bear living in small, unsuited environments. The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. But, for every story that casts zoos in a bad light from Vince the rhino's poaching at Paris' Thoiry Zoo in March; Cincinnati Zoo shooting endangered gorilla, Harambe, last year after a child fell into his enclosure; or Copenhagen Zoo killing and publicly dissecting Marius, a two-year-old giraffe in 2014 there are heart-warming tales too. Ive heard and read some of their stories. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. 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. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. There is considerable variation from state to state and among cities and counties, as to how much legal protection is offered to captive wild animals. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. 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. How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? 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. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. 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. 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. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. Zoo owners go to great lengths to build enclosures that have a wild aesthetic and give paying visitors a taste of the wild world. When the caretakers are not well informed about the animals they are to be taking care of, it can be problematic. Wrong! They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their habitats. PETA isn't alone. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. Things to Know. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. Sadly, once the small animals outgrow their cute phase, the zoo has to get rid of them since feeding and housing them all can get expensive. Once the ground has been left with no coverage, soil erosion will be the next step. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. Here they are relatively safe . For example, Orcas are migratory animals with a vast range. Zoos also say that they save the endangered animals, but all they really care about is how much crowd the animal draws. The same applies to elephants. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. Ive spent many memorable days in botanical gardens, completely swept away by the beauty of the design as well as the unending wonder of evolution and theres no uneasiness or guilt. Lack of learning valuable animal life skills such as hunting and social structures eventually leads to the alteration of the said animals behavior. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Reintroduced animals have a hard time coping with life in the wild after long periods away. The others ran, and she pursued them, ignoring all other humans in her path. 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. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. 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. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Many suffer from arthritis and other joint problems from standing on hard surfaces; elephants kept alone become desperately lonely; and all zoo elephants suffer mentally from being cooped up in. 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). What began as a way to pass time soon became a compulsion. Alas, theres plenty of heartbreaking evidence that many are not. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. 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. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? Bears and cats pace. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. 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. 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. 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? The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. Most zoos dont focus on the educational aspect of zoos; the animals are mainly kept for amusement. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment.