Even though zoos are non-profits, they still focus on the bottom line. The question is, are zoos really such a bad place for animals to live? Read on to find out why animals should not be kept in zoos. Zoos have also helped to save endangered species and reintroduce them into the wild. What animals are allowed as pets? The answer is no, zoos are not totally horrible. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Zoos help prevent extinction, support endangered animals, educate the public, and help save animals in bad conditions. And their wildlife conservation efforts are misguided at best, and pernicious at worst. Animals are belonging to wild, even the zookeepers could give them comfortable life, and even they will not starve for food. I have to write a debate paper about why zoos should be closed down because animals are not on this planet for humans to take pleasure by taking pictures and laughing at them through a glass window. The zoo also pays $5.2 million for vendor contracts. The study reviewed 45 carnivore reintroductions worldwide and found that only 33 percent survived. In general, most work very hard to take care of animals and the environment. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), for example, believes that zoos compromise animal rights, because in zoos animals are caged, used for entertainment purposes, and sometimes poorly cared for. On the good side, it is possible to protect them from hunters. Zoos are not like the exotic animal menageries from the middle ages. In conclusion, it is cruel to keep animals In cages and zoos. Many animals in zoos are “charismatic megafauna,” such as lions and elephants, because they attract visitors. read more. Zoo animals are captured from the wild in order to be kept in zoos, which badly affects the balance of the life chain of animals. Animals are often prevented from doing most of the things that are natural and important to them, like running, roaming, flying, climbing, … There are some in the richest cities in the world, and there are some in conflict zones. In addition, animals born in captivity have small survival chances if they’re released into the wild. The study reviewed 45 carnivore reintroductions worldwide and found that only 33 percent survived. — Why Zoos Are Bad For Animals. The existence of surplus zoo animals perpetuates canned hunting ranches, which facilitate wealthy clients shooting drugged animals and having them stuffed as trophies. This dead wallaby was left to rot by staff at Tweddle Farm Zoo for two weeks and the zoo refused to carry out a post-mortem to establish why the animal died. For example, most large carnivores like lions and tigers that are bred in captivity die when released into the wild. As you’ve seen, it depends a lot on what zoo you’re talking about. , which scientists warn will have grave consequences for humans. Zoos teach children to value animals as property, rather than individuals that deserve compassion and fundamental rights, such as the right to bodily integrity and dignity. Zoos’ commitment to wildlife conservation is called into question since many are guilty of profiting from the sale of extra animals to third parties instead of returning surplus animals to their environment. Only baby chimpanzees are taken from the wild. Zoos also should be turned into sanctuaries for the animals themselves. The experience of waiting, in anticipation, to see a lion or a tiger come out of its cave. Zoos are miserable places for animals. , which are both notorious for animal abuse. Zoos are both good and bad for animals. 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 … Earth is currently in a global extinction crisis. While zoos claim to champion conservation efforts, they sell surplus animals, such as male lions, to roadside zoos or private collectors. Their low survival rates have been attributed to their lacking fear toward humans and crucial hunting skills. On top of that, cages are not safe to use with all animals. http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/07/case-for-the-end-of-the-modern-zoo.html?gtm=bottom, Zoos and their discontents (New York Times Magazine) Even if zoos have become experts at keeping captive animals alive, and forcing them to reproduce, the ethics of keeping wild animals is, . In reality, zoos help with animal conservation and ultimately prevent them from becoming extinct. In reality, zoos help with animal conservation and ultimately prevent them from becoming extinct. Zoos may not even benefit people as much as once thought. If zoos were only saving endangered animals, no one would complain. Gellman: Zoos Are Bad Deal for Animals . It also depends on whether you’re referring to the well-being of a single animal actually living in a zoo or an animal, thousands of miles away, benefiting from the zoo’s research and conservation efforts. No more euphemisms! The earliest known collections date back to 3500 BCE in Egypt, where rulers kept hippos, elephants, baboons, and different species of large cats. Visiting zoos doesn’t send the right message to children about wildlife conservation and animal ethics. Many organizations and individuals believe that zoos go against all principles surrounding animal rights. the animal may not have enough room. I strongly believe that zoos aren’t good for both the public and animals for numerous reasons. Many zoos are considered bad for the animals because they are confined to cages. How do we know? 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 … Unethical zoos are largely run by private individuals and non-professionals. 9. Many arguments could be made that in captivity, animals can live longer and safer lives. Some are clean and well staffed, others aren’t. The existence of surplus zoo animals perpetuates. Zoos cannot provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Even if basic needs are met, zoos force wild animals to endure the psychological trauma of unnatural and unstimulating confinement. WEB-EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY . Special to Newsweek. Thus, zoos should be banned! 0 0. I think zoos are great for animals because if they are in the wild, they risk the fact they will die of starvation or thirst or maybe even killed. While zoos claim to champion conservation efforts, they sell surplus animals, such as male lions, to roadside zoos or private collectors. Instead of building zoos, the government persuasive develop wildlife sanctuaries and about parks. “Zoo” is short for zoological park, and zoology is the scientific study of animal biology and behavior. SOURCES: Lions in the wild do not spend half their time pacing, bears do not have their food handed to them, and in the wild elephants live in matriarchal herds, not with just one or two others. It turns out that they haven’t developed the natural behaviors they need when they’re out on their own and have to fend for themselves. Zoos are prisons for animals – no one needs to see a depressed penguin in the flesh This article is more than 3 years old. , which facilitate wealthy clients shooting drugged animals and having them stuffed as trophies. Yet, successful captive breeding programs produce what zoos deem “surplus animals.” A surplus animal has “made its genetic contribution to a managed population and is not essential for future scientific studies or to maintain social-group stability or traditions.” When selling them to other zoos or private collectors, zoos don’t consider the trauma of separating the animals from their families and communities. Animals dont create things or build houses, so why do they matter unless animals start communicating with us then we dont know if they like living in zoos or not so stop whining we the humans are the Superior being so bow down animals 1. These included Buddy Jordan, a notorious animal dealer who is known to have sold animals to hunting ranches, exotic-animal breeders, dealers, and unaccredited zoos. Making money is the primary objective and sole purpose of an unethical zoo. from researchers at the University of Exeter in the U.K. found that most captive-bred carnivores released into the wild do not survive the transition, which raises questions about the efficacy of captive-based conservation efforts for carnivores, such as tigers, cheetahs, and brown bears. The past month has seen a plethora of zoo-related violence and injury in the news, raising recurrent questions about what zoos are doing to protect animals. Many animals’ lives ended in traveling circuses after zookeepers dumb them because of overpopulation, and others are taken for forceful work. They do not have enough space, they do not allow the animals to communicate with each other, and they sell the animals to cruel circuses. How do we know? Most people have fond memories of going to the zoo. There are some zoos with good conditions to protect animals, sometimes they live here better than living alone in the middle of nature. These solutions can meet the conservation needs that zoos are trying to meet, without zoos. By bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and foster an appreciation of the other species. Many people think zoos are bad for animals and think it is cruel, but they do not know the truth. Is “captivity for conservation” a sustainable justification to keep zoos in existence? 1) Zoos are animal prisons. And for many critics, no amount of education or research justifies keeping animals captive. The zoo generates 70% of its revenue from zoo visits and contributions. Some people view zoos as nothing more than prisons for animals. Several think that zoos should be abolished or at least very much improved, due to animal cruelty. Zoos are prisons for animals – no one needs to see a depressed penguin in the flesh This article is more than 3 years old. Zoos engage in animal exploitation by profiting from the visitor attention and, they garner while providing the captive animals with a. have turned to antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotic drugs to alleviate depression and aggression among zoo animals across America. https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/jensen/ericjensen/moss_jensen_and_gusset_2015-evaluating_the_contribution_of_zoos_and_aquariums_to_aichi_biodiversity_target_1_final_published_version.pdf. Many people think that the reason that zoo is bad for animals is because of the poor maintenance that they offer. Yes, cages are bad for animals. in Philosophy and Legal Theory from Hampshire College, and is an incoming M.A. That has been the big dilemma facing the future of zoos as we know them. Zoe Rosenberger holds a B.A. Many infant chimps are wounded while captured and die before they reach market. If a species is unfortunately unable to survive in the wild, either because of poaching or the destruction of habitats, are we really giving individuals of the species a fair chance at survival in captivity? Animals should essay be kept in zoos. This report corroborates that the planet is undergoing its sixth mass extinction, which scientists warn will have grave consequences for humans. For example, Woodland Park Zoo, situated in Seattle, pays $17 million in wages annually. Animals like zebras, giraffes and gazelles were designed to run across miles of open terrain, not live out their lives in captivity. Some zoos continuously breed animals to get new-borns to keep visitors coming and revenue streams flowing. However, not all zoos are new zoos. In addition to raising ethical and moral questions on such breeding, frequent births lead to overpopulation in a zoo with limited space. 10 of the Many Reasons Why Roadside Zoos Are Bad for Animals. But zoos are a business. Numerous studies reveal the failure of zoos and circuses to educate us about animal capabilities, societies or habitat needs. student in philosophy at Columbia University. Despite their professed concern for animals, zoos can more accurately be described as “collections” of interesting animals than as actual havens or homes. Are zoos ethical? Zoos exploit captive animals by causing them more harm than good. Charismatic megafauna are wild animals that interest humans, such as giraffes and tigers. Even so, most zoos have no intention of releasing baby animals and parents into the wild. While, others want zoos to stay because it is beneficial for the animals and people. According to one study, many visitors don’t pay much attention to the animals — they’re actually talking to each other about unrelated things and spending only a few minutes at each display [source: Booth]. Yet even in those ‘good’ zoos where there is no overt cruelty like beatings, the animals suffer. And the right to bodily integrity and dignity are both violated through zoos’ implementation of forced breeding programs and selling “surplus” animals to canned hunts. Zoos often operate as commercial ventures, where animals are bought and sold. Zoos have their problems. These early zoos were really just a way for kings to flex on other kings. Zoos are more safe for animals as they are not at risk of becoming hunted or illegally poached. Animals come and go at zoos, but seldom return to the wild. Boycotting zoos, and other exhibits that display captive animals is a powerful way to stand up to a system more concerned with profits than the animals under their care. Animals dont matter. I think that many zoos are bad in many ways for animals. Zoos are businesses that capitalize on breeding, buying, and selling animals. Only baby chimpanzees are taken from the wild. Zoos may be great entertainment, but their big goal is to educate the public about wildlife and what we can do to protect them. Since 1995, zoos have turned to antidepressants, tranquilizers, and antipsychotic drugs to alleviate depression and aggression among zoo animals across America. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AWA) has accredited 233 zoos and aquariums. Forced to live in artificial constructs, many animals … Wild animals are simply not used to them and end up hurting themselves, trying to climb or escape another way. 10 of the Many Reasons Why Roadside Zoos Are Bad for Animals. The spaces that animals are given in zoos are way too small! https://www.theguardian.com/science/2008/dec/12/elephants-animal-welfare, Most Captive-Born Predators Die If Released (National Geographic) Zoos also should be turned into sanctuaries for the animals themselves. But when it comes to the animals, zoos might cause more harm than good. Even if zoos have become experts at keeping captive animals alive, and forcing them to reproduce, the ethics of keeping wild animals is problematic. Please give detailed answers. And on the whole, at an institutional level, zoos paint overly simplistic views of biodiversity and ecosystems by only promoting exotic animals that are well-known, and are often at the apex of their particular food chain. Survival rates why are zoos bad for animals been really helpful is saving endangered animals, no amount space. Survival rates have been attributed to their natural habitat since their mothers are shot death. 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