Wild dolphins swim up to 40 miles day with the other members of their pod, while captive dolphins are forced to swim in tiny pools with unfamiliar dolphins day after day. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. Theyre generally small menageries where wild and exotic animals like lions, tigers, monkeys, wolves, and others are kept in captivity, and often suffer badly. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. 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. No, most likely not. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. 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. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. Apes are known for picking locks and keeping a beady eye on their captors, waiting for the day someone forgets to lock the door. (The culling of mammals specifically in E.A.Z.A. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. 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. For them, the best option is to fight back. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. 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. Wildlife experts remind people that these animals do not know people's intentions, so they will try to protect themselves no matter what. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. 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. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". 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.. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. Your email address will not be published. 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. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. The ongoing extinction crises shows that zoos are needed - even for common species. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. There is always that element of choice that gets removed from them in a captive environment. Wild animals have certain behaviors that are uniquely influenced by their environments. The common negative effects of zoos on animals are listed below. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. Zoos are held to their word of conserving animals and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. Zoos are expensive to run, often have a very tight budget, and cannot afford to maintain and support animals that do not pull their weight in terms of attraction. Many zoos will then resort to drugging animals in order to keep them docile and normal for the pleasure of the viewing public. The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. 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. What if they sent all the animals that need really large areas or lots of freedom and socialization to refuges? Things to Know. Do not reproduce without permission. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States. Why? 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. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. 2. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild animals. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. For many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. See Related: War and the Effect on Wildlife. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. Zoo elephants tend to die young. 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. In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. That claim is up for debate. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. 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. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. Fighting is a sign that they are threatened, especially when an animal has no way of getting away quickly. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. Elephants bob their heads over and over. How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? When the zoo replaced the bars with thick glass, he started methodically removing the putty holding it in. In the case of America, our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths. Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Once again, a change of this magnitude can cause captive animals to exhibit changing behaviors, which include self-destructive acts and unrelenting restlessness. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. 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]. 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. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. I do not doubt that some people had their passion for a particular species, or wildlife in general, sparked by zoo experiences. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. She could then climb the wire without being shocked. 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. Display would be incidental. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. Wrong! Even though they might be getting enough food, if your animals are not okay mentally they might still not live to their full potential. PETA isn't alone. It is not humane to keep large mammals like orcas, dolphins or elephants in zoos or theme parks. But it's clear, say welfare specialists, that captivity can compromise orcas' health. In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. Chimps pull out their own hair. 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. 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. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. 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. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Others allow private parties to keep animals like tigers or primates with a permit. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. The surpluses are then sold off to zoos, aquariums, or even circuses. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. But relatively early in their evolution, a German exotic animal importer named Carl Hagenbeck changed the way wild animals were exhibited. But is there a reason why animals should not be kept in zoos? And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. 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. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. It gets even worse for the animal if the trainer is impatient, the poor beast will have to endure beatings over commands they dont understand. Important to protect endangered species from extinction. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. 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. 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. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. According to an article inPlant Based News, marine parks and aquariums are a billion-dollar industry that exists to entertain the public by catching fish and sea mammals from the wild and using them as live exhibits. 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.". Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. Whats Causing Their Decline? The Animal Welfare Act: The Animal Welfare Act, or AWA, is the primary piece of federal legislation regulating captive wild animals. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. 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". 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. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Here is an example of just how harsh it can get when an animal is being trained to perform tricks. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. Most zoos dont focus on the educational aspect of zoos; the animals are mainly kept for amusement. Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. A 2014 study by the Society for Conservation Biology found that of over 2,800 children surveyed following visits to London Zoo, 62% showed no positive learning outcomes. 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.. 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. 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. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Read more: Should I worry about chemtrails? Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. This is due to the fact that many zoos want to keep as many animals as . Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. Copyrights 2023. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. 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. Increasingly, animals were presented with the distasteful fact of their imprisonment visually elided. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. Outside of providing sufficient space to allow natural behaviors to develop, issues such as climate, diet, and the formation of a social hierarchy where appropriate make running a zoo a difficult task. However, they are really just teaching children about caring for animals in captivity. What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Polar bears have one million times less space. 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. 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. 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 fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. 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. A few zoos are famous for their conservation work. An orangutan at the Omaha Zoo kept wire for lock-picking hidden in his mouth. 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. The polar bears in Winnipeg have disco poo. Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Read on to find out why animals should not be kept in zoos. Its protections are minimal as well. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. 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. 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. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Instead, they will hire generalists with a degree of knowledge specificity and run with that. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. 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? Most zoos or animal sanctuaries dont have the space or the facilities to truly recreate the wild. 1. That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. In 2014, the director of the E.A.Z.A. Going to the zoo is often quite affordable. A.Z.A. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. The worst ones are the malicious keepers who enjoy hurting animals in captivity. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. When the caretakers are not well informed about the animals they are to be taking care of, it can be problematic. Thats true, he said. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. I find one statistic particularly telling about their priorities: A 2018 analysis of the scientific papers produced by association members between 1993 and 2013 showed that just about 7 percent of them annually were classified as being about biodiversity conservation.. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. 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. See Related: Endangered Species in California. 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. When it rains, the topsoil gets washed away leaving the land more exposed. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. Here's What Experts Think. 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. India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and 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. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. This isnt always guaranteed since the breeding practices could be insufficient or even produce animals that are not suitable for survival in the wild. Marine mammals are best protected by cleaning up and protecting their habitats. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. 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. Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. For example, Charles Harvey and Kurt House argue that subsidies for climate capture technologywill ultimately be a waste. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. ALSO READ: Man in Uganda Beats Lion With Bare Hands In Bloody Battle Before Feasting on the Beast for Dinner. Privacy Policy. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. The process of training an animal is a long and brutal one. 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. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. Help inform others by writing letters to your local newspapers and posting to social media. Animals are stressed when they get separated from their packs or herds, especially when they end up as the only one of their kind in their new homes. Step away from the selfie stick. 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.. Will we ever see all zoos closed down? The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. In 1982, only 22 condors existed in the wild. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. There are a few exceptions. Gus, a polar bear at the Central Park Zoo, was given Prozac as part of an attempt to stop him from swimming endless figure-eight laps in his tiny pool. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. The A.Z.A.s policies allow for the euthanasia of animals, but the president of the association, Dan Ashe, told me, its very rarely employed by his member institutions. 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. 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. 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. There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks.
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