The A.Z.A. [WATCH]. 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.. Roadside zoos dot the American landscape. Lack of learning valuable animal life skills such as hunting and social structures eventually leads to the alteration of the said animals behavior. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. Polar bears have one million times less space. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. Depressed monkey See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. 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. Photographs by Peter Fisher. One way that is rarely documented is the sale of other animals into the exotic pet trade. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. See Related: Are Humans Animals? However, through education and informative motions for change, we can make change the way zoos are run. 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. 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. In this way, they could lead the predator away from their nest. Why? This is seen as a cheaper option as opposed to moving them back into the wild. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and "cold-blooded" animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Its protections are minimal as well. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. For example, a lion might have a hard time adjusting to hunting for its meals when it has spent years being fed and lazing around. Privacy Policy. Elephants, lions, tigers, rhinos, and such. Ive heard and read some of their stories. It is expensive and difficult to keep wild animals in captivity. Just as we humans are free to do whatever we want so long as we follow the law, then it shouldn't be different for animals. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. Many zoo animals are forcefully removed from their natural habitat. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. 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. 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. State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Visit animal sanctuaries instead of zoos, marine parks or circuses. However, suffering doesnt have to be physical; boredom, confinement, and stress can cause an animal a lot of suffering. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. However, this is often not much more than an illusion for the customer. 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. 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. 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. For animals in zoos, the AWA sets low requirements as to housing, food and sanitation, and, as is commonly noted, no requirements for mental stimulation of animals other than primates. It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. There is more to natural environments than just looks. Their droppings look like little glitterballs. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. For the unlucky ones that end up in the circuses, they are always in for a wide awakening. People are fascinated by animals. See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. The trade in wild animals involves tremendous suffering at every stage of the process. Understanding the optimal requirements for the reproduction of certain animals can be difficult. Zookeepers are not mustache-twirling villains. WHY ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN CAPTIVITY By "Phillip" Hungry, depressed, and unable to connect. Id like to think these kids, now in their early 20s, are working for a conservation organization somewhere. Once again, a change of this magnitude can cause captive animals to exhibit changing behaviors, which include self-destructive acts and unrelenting restlessness. This is due to the inhumane conditions that these animals are forced to endure. 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. 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. Others are captured from their native habitats, or come from backyard breeders or the black market. A small exhibit is never going to truly capture the vastness of the open world. Ive spent many memorable days in botanical gardens, completely swept away by the beauty of the design as well as the unending wonder of evolution and theres no uneasiness or guilt. These experiences are often harmful to wildlife and dangerous for you. Students and the general public get a chance to learn about different species of animals. Due to the low density of the population of some animals in their natural ecosystems they struggle to find partners. Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. They bought tickets, and the wild creatures should behave accordingly. In most cases, animals in zoos lead very unhappy lives. Slow animals with minimal to zero predators such as elephants have brief life spans in captivity. It is not possible to have zookeepers versed in a detailed understanding of every single species. But that day of release never quite seems to come. They normally find themselves locked in cages, and only released into an artificial habitat when there are visitors at the zoo. Animals in captivity can struggle to adapt to their new environment. Keep on reading. A zoological park is defined as an establishment designed for conservation, study, and public display. For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. 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. WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. A.Z.A. They are removed from their natural habitats and confined to small limited spaces and often forced to perform tricks or entertain visitors. Most animals are taught to perform tricks and go against the grain of nature purely for human entertainment. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. 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. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. The AWA establishes only baseline standards of care for licensing exhibitors. 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. Personally speaking, Ive been to zoos in Sydney, Australia, and all over the UK. Some zoo animals try to escape. 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. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. 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. 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. 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. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for . 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. 7 reasons why animals in captivity deserve freedom. Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. This type of behaviour is almost unheard of in their wild counterparts. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Increasingly, animals were presented with the distasteful fact of their imprisonment visually elided. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. 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. Animals are not able to bear living in small, unsuited environments. I do not doubt that some people had their passion for a particular species, or wildlife in general, sparked by zoo experiences. 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. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". 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. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. Another similar behavior of flirting is freezing, in which an animal does not move when there is no way of escape, like being caught in a trap or net even though they are terrified. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. The problem is that these large predators control the population of herbivorous animals in their domain. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". Alex started writing from the moment he could hold a pen. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: 1. Few federal laws protect the millions of wild animals who live in captivity in aquariums, circuses, theme parks and zoos in the U.S. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. (707) 795-2533 |info@aldf.org Crustacean Chronicles: A Deep Dive into the Fascinating World of the Crab, Pet Food Manufacturers and Who Rules the Roost in a Growing Market. When an animal is not on the endangered list, capturing it doesnt serve any purpose to the animal. Deforestation will be the next problem when animals such as moose, elks, and deer start eating everything even young trees. The incident in Miami Seaquarium is proof that animals do not belong in captivity. The Enigmatic Wombats: Surprising Facts and Myths Debunked. Some of these animals are surplus from roadside zoos. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. See Related: Endangered Species in California. If one could simply stop urging and encouraging zoos then maybe someday animals get to live in the free wild as they please. The real question is, how can we change things? In many cases, animals in captivity do not have the space or resources to roam and live as they would in their natural habitat. You can see exotic animals without the need for traveling. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage! 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.. Learn More. Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. If you go on holiday to any major destination, the chances are high that there will be at least one zoo and/or one aquarium nearby. Thats true, he said. Ive been to zoos and aquariums in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Vancouver Island, not to mention those in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. At the end of the day, Zoos are largely unethical places that are built under the pretense of habitat conservation but really are there to earn money and entertain people who want to be able to say they saw real-life wild animals. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. But this is not the norm. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . Even without a consciousness (that we know of) animals are alive and should be treated as such. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. Visitors will hammer on the glass or clamor around an animal enclosure, calling and shouting for the creature to perform for their pleasure. This isnt always guaranteed since the breeding practices could be insufficient or even produce animals that are not suitable for survival in the wild. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. In the age of social media, high profile culls have sparked heated debates. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. If an untrained zookeeper comes across a stubborn animal, they might hurt it if they are impatient. First and foremost, captivity can be extremely detrimental to an animal's physical and mental well-being. Fish and Wildlife Service, suggested that learning how to breed animals contributes to conservation in the long term, even if very few animals are being released now. 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. Going to the zoo is often quite affordable. This can make the animals neurotic, causing them to start biting bars, pacing repetitively, and swaying. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding.