Some are in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos, others live caged at private homes. There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. Existing refuges often do allow visitors, but their facilities are really arranged for the animals, not for the people. 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. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. 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". We do know that common animals kept as pets include lions, tigers, cougars, ocelots, servals, wolves, bears, alligators, snakes and nonhuman primates like chimpanzees. Some roadside zoos declaw tiger and lion cubs a serious surgical procedure in which a cats toes are amputated at the last joint. I pointed out that we cant ask animals whether they are happy with their enclosure size. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. 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. The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. Few federal laws protect the millions of wild animals who live in captivity in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos in the U.S. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . 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. Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers don't get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. The California condor shows what zoos can accomplish. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. When confined they rock, pull their hair and engage in other tics. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. Keep on reading. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . Non-native animals are held in conditions that vary greatly from what they are used to living in. There are a number of reasons why animals should not be kept in captivity. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. Forests Under Threat: A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Deforestation Statistics, Puppy Mills vs. When it rains, the topsoil gets washed away leaving the land more exposed. However, the truth is that no enclosure can come close to matching the vastness of an animals natural environment. There are dozens of other countries around the world with similar prohibitions, including Austria, Greece, Israel, Mexico, Peru and Singapore. Chimps pull out their own hair. When in their natural environments, wild animals are not used to being confronted by humans. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Wrong! Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Whats Causing Their Decline? By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. See Related: Best Books on Endangered Species. 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. 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). Important to protect endangered species from extinction. Going to the zoo is often quite affordable. 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. Here they are relatively safe . There is an undeniable thrill, seeing animals in zoos, circuses, movies, television shows, and amusement parks. Do not reproduce without permission. In this article, we will take a look at why zoos teach children the wrong lesson about captive animals. Many zoos give children the wrong lessons about wild animals and how to protect animals. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 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. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. A zoological park is defined as an establishment designed for conservation, study, and public display. Most zoos or animal sanctuaries dont have the space or the facilities to truly recreate the wild. 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. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. Thats true, he said. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. You can see exotic animals without the need for traveling. People are fascinated by animals. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. Especially not for the broad spectrum of species they have in their park. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Life expectancy for animals in captivity depends on a couple of things, such as their way of life, among other factors. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. The real question is, how can we change things? Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. A 2019 report by World Animal Protection found that captive animals exhibitedabnormal levels of aggression, indicating that the attack in Miami Seaquarium was a direct result of captivity, despite claims that it is an isolated incident and is uncommon. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. 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. See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. The AWA only applies to some captive wild animals. But that day of release never quite seems to come. However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. Animals in zoos can sense this, and over time their confinement can lead to worrying behavioral changes. So when they. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. Today's zoos are extremely important to saving wild animals and their habitats. The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. Severe arthritis and foot infections are common in captive elephants due to standing on hard, unnatural surfaces all day without room to roam. What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? T he video above shows the tragic reality of how animals in captivity are mistreated and never get to experience freedom, or live how they were . 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. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. 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. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. Zoos are a part of culture across the world. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. 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. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. 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. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . Lack of Sufficient Space No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it can't meet the space requirements for most of its animals. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. In the case of America, our maps, developed with experts, show where extreme heat is causing the most deaths. 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. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. Its zookeepers who arent fond of animals that go around hurting animals even when they havent been provoked. I remember well the awe and joy on their faces, 15 years later. 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. The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. This is only one of the Acts limitations. First and foremost, captivity can be extremely detrimental to an animal's physical and mental well-being. Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. The educational day out model of zoos endured until the late 20th century, when zoos began actively rebranding themselves as serious contributors to conservation. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. An animal lover, Alexs family, have all been involved in various animal welfare charities. In states without tight enough regulation, local jurisdictions oftentimes adopt ordinances that ban or restrict the display of captive wild animals. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. 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. Its protections are minimal as well. This could cause problems for the animal. India bans the keeping of elephants in circuses and zoos. To update your payment information, visit our Member Center. 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. Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. YES. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Here are my eight reasons why zoos are critical to conservation: 1. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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 . 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. A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. The lack of enough vegetation will then lead to global warming due to less carbon in the atmosphere. A quick google search reveals that a zoo is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public. The sale of excess animals to traveling roadside zoos is another big problem. It is impossible to read these stories without concluding that these animals wanted out. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. Things to Know. 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. Throughout history, men have accumulated large and fierce animals to advertise their might and prestige. Why Are Puppy Mills Bad: The Numerous Reasons Why They Must Be Stopped And How You, yes you, Can Help! Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live 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). Unlike in the wild where these endangered species have to worry about staying safe, in these breeding programs they get taken care of. The forerunners of the modern zoo, open to the public and grounded in science, took shape in the 19th century. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. For example, if the number of lions is drastically reduced in an area, their prey will thrive. What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? According toAnimal Behavior: Resources for Applied Ethology, fleeing or running away is the most popular reaction of animals towards humans. 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? They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. To many people, a trip to the zoo is a fun day out for the family. Photographs by Peter Fisher. In several cases, animals held in poor conditions at roadside zoos have been transferred to sanctuaries, after the Animal Legal Defense Fund brought lawsuits under the Endangered Species Act. For some animals in zoos, the shock of their relocation alone can be fatal. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. Captive animals need better laws, and better enforcement of those laws. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. Help inform others by writing letters to your local newspapers and posting to social media. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. Some 5,800 species of animals are covered by the treaty (along with 30,000 species of plants). That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. As humans, we have no right to hunt and lock up animals for our enjoyment. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). Will we ever see all zoos closed down? 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 statistics on the number of big cats alone that have died in captivity between 1990 and 2021 is 126. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. 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. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. Even the best zoological park cannot fully capture the wild, and many smaller zoos fail to take effective measures to ensure the health and well-being of their animals. 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 experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. [WATCH]. When theres a surplus, you can just have a plant sale. Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. 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. Some surplus animals or injured animals are even fed to predators as a means of life-cycle maintenance. 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. Older menageries existed as far back as 2500 BCE, in Mesopotamia. These wild animals are sold at auctions, pet stores or over the internet. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild.