You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. YES. Most people visit the zoo to see the big draw animals. It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. 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. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. 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. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. 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. 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. Zoos are home to many animals. 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). Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. When factoring in the number of zoos breeding animals and the risk posed to baby animals, the change of disease skyrockets further. Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals. Kings would keep hippos, baboons and large cats. Your email address will not be published. This goes to the detriment of the animals in zoos and puts them at risk of receiving inadequate care. There is more to natural environments than just looks. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Children leave most zoos with a misconception about how animals behave in the wild and what it takes to truly care for endangered animals. Even if the animals are being fed well, the lack of freedom can cause them to be stressed. How Does Saving Water Help Climate Change? But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to quantify. This alone increases the risk of disease, as animals are exposed to viruses they have never encountered before. Alex shares his life with his wife (to-be), children and stepchildren, a herd of guinea pigs, and numerous tropical fish, frogs and snails. 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. 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. And Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo has an on-site Wildlife Hospital to save sick and injured native species. Watching these is a much healthier and more educational way to learn about wild animals than visiting a local zoo. For privacy policy and ad & cookie policy information, visit our Privacy Policy pages. In addition, when animals are removed from their natural habitats, they are also removed from their family structure and social hierarchy. 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. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). Running a successful zoo is about drawing in visitors as much as it is caring for animals. Sanctuaries occupy a "gray area," says Tanya Espinosa, a . See Related: Animals That Have Become Extinct in the Last 100 Years. Mr. Hagenbecks model was widely influential. The Arabian oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, went extinct in the wild in the 1970s and then was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations. Now, Alex writes full-time, and when hes not working on an article, hes knee-deep in writing fiction. NASA's DART Mission Successfully Changed the Trajectory of Space Rock Dimorphos, Asteroid Ryugu Richly Harbors Building Blocks of Life, Scientists Reveal, SpaceXs Crew-6 Astronauts Aboard Dragon Capsule Endeavor Will Arrive at Space Station Early Friday [WATCH LIVE]. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. 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. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. Jason Hribals 2010 book, Fear of the Animal Planet, chronicles dozens of attempts. Such a transformation might free up some space. A peer-reviewed 2017 study in the . Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. While zoos can definitely be exciting places for families to visit, the fact remains that they are bad for animals. In addition, baby animals that are deemed excess to requirements find their way into black market sales. The United Kingdom, for example, has announced a plan to phase out all circuses featuring wild animal performances by 2020. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. Elephants arent the only species that try to flee a zoo life. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. 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. Animal Legal Defense Fund v. Claws N Paws, Looking for case and legal resources? 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.. Fewer and fewer states are allowing residents to keep captive wild animals without a permit. The truth is there is a vast difference between genuine conservation efforts and endangered species protection and running a zoo. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. Unfortunately using real animals for these purposes involves tremendous cruelty. Zoos and circuses are among those who fall under this act. They often display neurotic behaviour, like repetitive pacing, swaying, and bar biting. An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. 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. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. A largely unregulated trend is the hybrid breeding of wild cats with house cats, with predictably disastrous consequences. Whats Causing Their Decline? zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? Ive heard and read some of their stories. 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. 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. Especially animals like lions that are used to roaming vast distances in the wild in search of food. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. 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. 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. There are zoological park associations that were formed to keep zoo owners on their toes. Many zoos create attractive enclosures to attract visitors. 2. As long as there is demand should zoos exist essay them, zoos will continue to exist. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. Zoos are held to their word of conserving animals and releasing them back into the wild when they are ready. When it comes to lethal force and animal welfare, at least, public opinion swiftly sides against zoos. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. State And Local Laws: Strong state laws and even local laws have historically been a useful way to protect exotic and wild animals. Lack of Sufficient Space No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it can't meet the space requirements for most of its animals. One of the best examples of this advantage is the Przewalski's horse. 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). Zookeepers also often may neglect their healthcare needs. I once overheard two schoolchildren at the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington confess to each other that they had assumed that elephants were mythical animals like unicorns before seeing them in the flesh. More tigers live in cages in this country, than exist in all the wild. Required fields are marked *. Its said that Texas has the worlds second-largest tiger population, due to private citizens propensity for keeping these big cats as pets. Animals begin to display erratic behaviors, self-mutilation, and an inability to settle. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. 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. On top of that, the animals dont have much freedom even in these tiny spaces that they are forced to live in. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. 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. However, I feel there are certain species that should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. 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. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? Some, however, argue that children benefit from zoos. Another time, one of the orangutans, Kumang, learned how to use sticks to ground the current in the electrical wire around her enclosure. Once an animal has served its purpose, many zoos will either sell them or euthanize them. Many zoos fail to provide the required minimum standard of care, Zoos dont replicate animals natural habitats, Zoos teach people that animal captivity is acceptable, Animal protection laws are not strong enough, Many visitors disturb and disrespect the animals, Zoo animals are often drugged to be kept calm. But that incident has triggered conversations on the negative impacts of marine parks and aquariums on wild animals. Anyone can read what you share. 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. Animal rights activists argue that hunting, capturing, and putting animals on display is unethical. As a result, many animals at zoos may die prematurely from stress or illness. These associations ensure that members are treating their animals with a high standard of care and following any guidelines they provide. Animals are removed from their natural habitats. 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. But that day of release never quite seems to come. Dimming Lights: Are Fireflies Endangered? These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. Caring for animals on a full-time basis requires someone who is both informed and cares about them. People are always attracted to exotic animals such as grizzlies, lions, wolves, tigers, and alligators among others. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. The same applies to elephants. And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. It took several decades before Alex was able to leave the corporate world behind and embark on a real writing journey. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. 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. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. Learn More. Emma Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. 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. Cons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. After all, more than 700 million people visit zoos and aquariums worldwide every year, and biodiversity is still in decline. Climate change has become a very real threat for the next and even current generations. They go to get out of the house, to get their children some fresh air, to see interesting animals.