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. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. 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. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. 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. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. 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). Declawing is extremely painful and causes permanent disability. See Related: Importance of Wildlife Conservation. Another serious problem is that the chronically-understaffed USDA conducts inspections infrequently. Most people arent always comfortable seeing animals that are kept in zoos. This was the first time that the ESA has successfully been used to protect captive wild animals. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. In 2014, the director of the E.A.Z.A. There is more to natural environments than just looks. Throughout history, men have accumulated large and fierce animals to advertise their might and prestige. Some zoo animals try to escape. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. The fewer than two dozen non-participants include North Korea, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Turkmenistan. These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. 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. 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. 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. A fine day out with the family might itself be justification enough for the existence of zoos if the zoo animals are all happy to be there. 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. Don't be suckered into supporting companies that offer experiences like hugging a tiger, swimming with dolphins, riding elephants, or kissing sharks. 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. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. Unfortunately, this is done under the guise of conservation and to protect endangered species. Zoos have been around for thousands of yearsas far back as 3500 BC in Egypt. The Los Angeles Zoo has used Celexa, an antidepressant, to control aggression in one of its chimps. This relocation alone can come as a large shock and wreak havoc on the animals mental health. This can have huge negative effects on the environment in many adverse ways. I dont see any problem with holding animals for display, Mr. Ashe told me. Display would be incidental. The ESA outlines procedures for federal agencies to follow regarding listed species, as well as criminal and civil penalties for violations. However, the vast majority dont do enough to accurately replace an animals natural habitat. Wildlife experts said that the incident was just another proof that wild animals should not be kept captive because it would not happen had the dolphin was only in the wild. 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? ViewResources. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos? | KQED Education 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. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. That doesnt mean there havent been criticisms. For comparison, in 2018, they spent $4.9 billion on operations and construction. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. This is only one of the Acts limitations. Yes And Someone is Paying Attention, Swimming with The Seahorse: Discover Their Mystical Charisma. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. 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. Many zoos claim to be helping preserve dwindling populations. This goes to the detriment of the animals in zoos and puts them at risk of receiving inadequate care. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. The same applies to elephants. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Their natural habitat extends far beyond anything captivity zoos could provide. "Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. All things considered, animals should not be kept in zoos or aquariums. Kept in barren cages rarely larger than 20 by 20 feet, bears in roadside zoos spend their days pacing, sleeping abnormally long periods of time, and bobbing their head all indications of extreme psychological distress. 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. For many wild animals, this is a vital part of their life, and they can struggle to redefine their footing. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. This is only one of the Act's limitations. 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 others ran, and she pursued them, ignoring all other humans in her path. See Related: Animals With the Best Sense of Smell. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? Thats true, he said. 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. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. In addition, a costlier but more educational option is to make arrangements to view animals in the wild. Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. 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. Protect animals by boycotting roadside zoos. Copyright 2023 The Science Times. How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. 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. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. CITES does not directly address living conditions for captive animals. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. Some animals are quite intelligent so keeping them in captivity should never be an option. 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. What people can do: Justin Gillis and Hal Harvey describe the types of local activismthat might be needed, while Saul Griffith points to how Australia shows the way on rooftop solar. Weve discussed the reasons and can surely all now answer the question of why are zoos bad. 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. Their sleeping quarters can get overcrowded and this can lead to the animals harming each other. Students and the general public get a chance to learn about different species of animals. Cleaners and feeders spend a lot of time with the animals, and understanding the situation one is getting into can be very helpful. Their lives in captivity can be harsh especially when the animal has been completely removed from its social structures. 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. 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. Reasons Why Animals Should not Be Kept in Zoos - GradesFixer Our EIN number is 94-2681680. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. The Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES): CITES is an international treaty that regulates the trade of wildlife for nations that are signatories to the treaty. 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".