When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. 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. 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. 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. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. State laws vary considerably, with some states banning the ownership of wild and exotic animals while others have virtually no regulation whatsoever. There is more to natural environments than just looks. Can captive animals ever truly return to the wild? | BBC Earth Zoos also have the power to euthanize their animals when they themselves deem it permissible. Why Zoos and Aquariums Are Beneficial - Association Of Zoos And Aquariums However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. facilities report spending approximately $231 million annually on conservation projects. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. 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. Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species? - Treehugger An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. 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). 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. Lets get into the nitty-gritty details of why keeping animals in zoos is bad: Wild animals often suffer in captivity because they were meant to be free. The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". So when they. 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. 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. 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. This support of the exotic pet trade also results in a lot of preventable animal deaths. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! Zoos accredited by the A.Z.A. 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. 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. 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. Things to Know. 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. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. Many zoos and aquariums offer behind-the-scenes tours and informative talks on animal welfare. The owners of such zoos are focused on maximizing profits even at the animals expense. The required standard of care for wild animals, such as those held by zoos, is wide-ranging and nigh on impossible for zoos to provide. 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. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals' rights to freedom. Lawsuit to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals Upon License Revocation, Demanding USDA Strengthen and Enforce AWA Licensees Recordkeeping Requirement for All Animal Deaths, Demanding USDA Revoke Animal Welfare Act License from Pennsylvania Roadside Zoo Claws N Paws, Big Cat Public Safety Act Passes the U.S. Senate in Victory for Animals, USDA to Strengthen Tracking of Animal Deaths at Licensed Facilities Following Legal Petition, Lawsuit Seeks to Force USDA to Recognize Its Authority to Take Possession of Animals When Agency Revokes Licenses. 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. 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. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. For many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . 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. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Animals Should Not Be Kept in Captivity Persuasive Essay 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. 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. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . 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. 17 Pros and Cons of Keeping Animals in Captivity - ConnectUS Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. 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. Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. Keep on reading. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. Why Animals Should Not Be Kept in Captivity: The Problem With Wildlife 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. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. It is always best to stay away from wild animals to prevent disastrous interactions. The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. We use cookies to help ensure the best experience on our website. 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. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. A few zoos are famous for their conservation work. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. Young chimpanzees on movie sets are trained through regular beatings and then discarded around age 8 when they become too large to control. 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. 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. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. The worst climate risks, mapped: In this feature, select a country, and we'll break down the climate hazards it faces. Here are some of the major ways that these jurisdictions are protecting wild captive animals under the law: Restricting Private Parties From Keeping Wild Animals: Some states ban the keeping of wild and exotic animals. These laws help the animals and also people, since wild animals in captivity present a serious public safety risk. 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. 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. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. Another time, one of the orangutans, Kumang, learned how to use sticks to ground the current in the electrical wire around her enclosure. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. 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. Mr. Ashe, a former director of the U.S. This treaty is credited with helping foster international cooperation to protect some endangered and vulnerable species. 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. Why Animals Should not be Kept in Zoos? Essay The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. They are used to collect exotic pets from owners who are looking to get rid of them. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. 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. 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. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. Orcas don't do well in captivity. Here's why. - Animals No, most likely not. The idea of conserving animals that are at risk of going extinct is a great one; the problem is that not most zoos live up to it. See Related: Endangered Species in Oklahoma. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. 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). [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization. All of these animals are well studied and have a plethora of documentaries and video footage of them in the wild. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org [WATCH]. Should zoos be banned? | National Geographic 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. Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. Caring for the said animals, away from their predator will give their species a chance of repopulating. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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. But that day of release never quite seems to come. Animals held captive in zoos are in very small environments such as cages, and they have no freedom. In one escape, they worked together: One held a mop handle steady while her sister climbed it to freedom. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. ViewResources. Few federal laws protect the millions of wild animals who live in captivity in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos in the U.S. Are Zoos Ethical? Arguments for and Against Zoos - Treehugger In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. 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. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. Its protections are minimal as well. This is only one of the Act's limitations. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. Opinion | Zoos Are Bad for Animals - The New York Times 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. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos - PETA UK See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? What could these zoos do with it, besides enlarging enclosures? Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. Most zoos dont focus on the educational aspect of zoos; the animals are mainly kept for amusement. So when they face a threat, wild animals believe that they should survive by fleeing, fighting, flirting, or freezing. Here are some tips. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. Polar bears have one million times less space. Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? Privacy Policy. 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.". 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. This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Will we ever see all zoos closed down? People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. 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. Tell lawmakers you support animal-friendly legislation and local bans on using animals in entertainment. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up.