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. Nature reserves, bird watching, going on a safari. People are fascinated by animals. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. In normalizing captivity zoos, and teaching animals to perform tricks for human entertainment, zoos and animal sanctuaries are spreading the message that animal captivity to normal, healthy, and fully acceptable. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Animals in zoos are easier to get various kinds of diseases because there are thousands of people around the animal every day. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. 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. 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. That claim is up for debate. Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their habitats. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Private Possession: Many wild animals may be kept captive in private homes as pets. 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. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Because so many diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as Ebola, Hantavirus, and the bird flu, zoos frequently conduct disease surveillance research in wildlife populations and their own captive populations that can lead to a direct impact on human health. Persuasive Speech: Why Animals Should Not be kept in Zoos. This can make the animals neurotic, causing them to start biting bars, pacing repetitively, and swaying. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. 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. The real question is, how can we change things? ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". Important to protect endangered species from extinction. I do not doubt that some people had their passion for a particular species, or wildlife in general, sparked by zoo experiences. A small exhibit is never going to truly capture the vastness of the open world. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Deforestation Statistics, Puppy Mills vs. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Your email address will not be published. Reasons why people think keeping animals in zoos is bad for their welfare: the animal is deprived of its natural habitat; the animal may not have enough room; the animal is deprived of its natural . But that day of release never quite seems to come. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. 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. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. 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. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. All Rights Reserved. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. 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. ViewResources. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. 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. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . 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. [WATCH]. The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. Many zoos will then resort to drugging animals in order to keep them docile and normal for the pleasure of the viewing public. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Here's What Experts Think. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) All of these options afford you a close view of nature exactly as it was intended. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. 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. 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. Its protections are minimal as well. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. Black-footed ferrets and red wolves in the United States and golden lion tamarins in Brazil all endangered, as well have been bred at zoos for reintroduction into the wild. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. 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. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! Mr. Fisher is a photographer based in New York. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. Check out more news and information on Wild Animalsin Science Times. Step away from the selfie stick. Most zoos or animal sanctuaries dont have the space or the facilities to truly recreate the wild. Wrong! Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. 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. The Brutal Truth About Seal Clubbing: Because Everyone Needs Dead Seal Pups (Not)! See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. No, most likely not. All things considered, animals should not be kept in zoos or aquariums. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. Whats Causing Their Decline? Why? Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Alas, theres plenty of heartbreaking evidence that many are not. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. Here is an example of just how harsh it can get when an animal is being trained to perform tricks. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. Animals in captivity can struggle to adapt to their new environment. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. Zoos shifted just slightly from overt demonstrations of mastery over beasts to a narrative of benevolent protection of individual animals. Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. 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. YES. They go to get out of the house, to get their children some fresh air, to see interesting animals. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. Animals are an important part of nature and should have the right to live in their natural environment. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. Likewise, consuming sustainable seafood provides a valuable source of food for people and helps promote sustainable jobs. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. NASA's Hubble Space Telescope Captures Dramatic Hour-by-Hour Changes of Dart Mission Slamming on an Asteroid, Can Humanity Deflect Potentially Hazardous Asteroids? Required fields are marked *. Such a transformation might free up some space. Ive heard and read some of their stories. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. 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. See Related: Are Humans Animals? Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Zoological gardens have been working to help ensure that any endangered species are given another chance to thrive again over time. When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. So when they. That's how animals living in captivity feel. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. 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. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. 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. Young chimpanzees on movie sets are trained through regular beatings and then discarded around age 8 when they become too large to control. 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. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. Its protections are minimal as well. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. 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 it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). A species protected in captivity provides a reservoir population against a population crash or extinction in the wild. This can have huge negative effects on the environment in many adverse ways. The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. Some zoo animals try to escape. 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. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. 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. Power-mad men from Henry III to Saddam Husseins son Uday to the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar to Charlemagne all tried to underscore their strength by keeping terrifying beasts captive. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. The surpluses are then sold off to zoos, aquariums, or even circuses. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. 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. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Depressed monkey 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 tiny yards while their free-ranging cousins walk up to 50 miles a day. The environment that these animals are kept in isnt natural to them more so the animals that are taken from the wilderness and kept in zoos. 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. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. Drugs given to animals include sedatives and antipsychotic drugs. Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. She somehow got over the 12-foot wall surrounding her 1,000-square-foot enclosure and attacked one of the teenagers, killing him. 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. The educational day out model of zoos endured until the late 20th century, when zoos began actively rebranding themselves as serious contributors to conservation. Boycott businesses that profit from cruelty to animals. Properly curated and interpreted, a well-run garden can be a site for a rewarding outing with friends or family, a source of education for the 27 percent of people who read signs and a point of civic pride. Zoos, aquariums, water parks, and other facilities can help to maintain the viability of endangered species when humanity does not do a good enough job of protecting the animals in the wild. 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. In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. When it works out, breeding endangered animals has positive results that can be felt even in the human kingdom. Here they are relatively safe . Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. 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. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. 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. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? 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. For them, the best option is to fight back. That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. In the 1980s, a group of orangutans escaped several times at the San Diego Zoo. Zoo elephants tend to die young. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. 2021 ScienceTimes.com All rights reserved. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/11/opinion/zoos-animal-cruelty.html, Photographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. 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. The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. Your email address will not be published. Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. 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. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. But this is not the norm. Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. On the other hand, the researchers reported, there were no significant differences in survey responses before entering an exhibit compared with those obtained as visitors were exiting., A 2008 study of 206 zoo visitors by some members of the same team showed that while 42 percent said that the main purpose of the zoo was to teach visitors about animals and conservation, 66 percent said that their primary reason for going was to have an outing with friends or family, and just 12 percent said their intention was to learn about animals., The researchers also spied on hundreds of visitors conversations at the Bronx Zoo, the Brookfield Zoo outside Chicago and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. 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 one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. Grizzly Bear vs Black Bear: Whats the Difference. The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain.