A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. In fact, similar to circuses, animals are often treated quite poorly in zoos and have to comply with the rules of zookeepers. 10 Reasons Why Zoos Are Bad and Should Be Banned Also, one of the biggest reasons zoos exist is not for helping animals in danger, but in fact breeding them for human enjoyment. Explain your answer(s). 4. Zoos can also be a great destination for field trips. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. Moreover, these smaller, unregulated organizations sometimes possess animals procured through illegal trafficking channels, a serious global problem. In fact, many zoos are rather free regarding how they want to treat their animals and in some countries, animals are even just considered as property instead of living organisms that need proper regulatory protection. Should zoos be banned facts. Especially for those people, it can be quite important to go to the zoo and to see all those animals in order to remember how important protecting our environment really is. However, this also implies that each animal will only have a rather limited space to live.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_22',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); While many zoos aim to protect our endangered animal species from extinction, some zoos just exist for the sole purpose of profit maximization. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living 1. 3. Should zoos exist? There is no quick fix for the issues faced by zoos across the country and around the world. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. Zoos are a typical form of family entertainment, but associating leisure and fun with the contemplation of animals in captivity can send the wrong signals to our children. The Toledo Zoo ran a psychiatric program in which a gorilla with premenstrual depression was prescribed Prozac. Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter and Why? WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. 2019, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Visitor Demographics, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), Maury Brown, Why MLB Attendance Dropped below 70 Million for the First Time in 15 Years, forbes.com, Oct. 3, 2018, NHL, NHL Attendance (1975-76 through 2018-2019), records.nhl.com (accessed May. 6. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. Keep up the good work. 916 Words4 Pages. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_15',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Zoos not only give us the opportunity to see many different animals, they are also important from an educational perspective. The animals are given special activities and nutrition that works with their instincts as well to give them the most natural existence possible. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 It places enormous pressure on the mental health of many species, causing them to live much shorter lives than they would in the wild. Smaller zoos dont always have the money to hire well-trained zoological staff or expand their breeding programs and facilities to maintain the ethos of conservation. Find out more here: Environmental Organizations: 8 NGOs and Non-Profits Worth Supporting, Big cats have an allure unlike many other animals. In turn, those animals will lose part of their natural instincts and will no longer be able to survive in the wild due to that. 1. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? Moreover, those animals may often feel trapped since they have to stay in their cages and cannot navigate as they would do in the wild. [30], Animal behaviorists often see zoo animals suffering from problems not seen in the wild, such as clinical depression in clouded leopards and gibbons, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in brown bears, and anxiety in giraffes. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Climate Change and Wildlife, aza.org (accessed Apr. 2. The only effective and sustainable way to save species is to support schemes that target the root cause of the extinction and endangerment of animals habitat destruction. Activists are calling to ban zoos, and their voices are getting louder. In fact, animals often unlearn how to take care of themselves in zoos since they learn to rely on zookeepers to provide them with food and with all other things they need. At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. In fact, many animals are kept in an unnatural manner and also dont get sufficient other animals from their species. In general, if animals are kept under unnatural living conditions, their behavior will change in the long run. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Marine Mammal Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. These efforts have helped to reduce the risks of premature death in many species as well. Continue with Recommended Cookies. After the famous wildlife conservationist Geral Durrell opened a zoo in Jersey in 1959, zoos all over the world have embraced the mission of. In the late 20th century, the narrative changed again to the conservation of animals to stave off extinction. In fact, many animals in the wild lose their lives every year due to poaching since people want to sell the horns or other valuable parts of those animals for quite high prices. Author Bio Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Zoos have a significant financial benefit for their communities. Thus, it is crucial that we protect those animals from poachers in order to assure a viable future for them. Please try again. 1. Another problem with zoos is that staff members in zoos often dont have the required knowledge to take care of the different animals in a proper manner. Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. Romesh Ranganathan, a British comedian, stated, It still slightly surprises me that anybody thinks that we should have zoos at all. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Zoos should be banned worldwide because the animals are living in an unnatural habitat, the zoos kill or sell surplus animals, and zoos are not educational. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. While there are many important advantages of zoos, the presence of zoos also implies some problems. Zoos should be banned worldwide because the animals are living in an unnatural habitat, the zoos kill or sell surplus animals, and zoos are not educational. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. Why the Difference Between Weather and Climate Matters. 10 Reasons Why Zoos Are Bad and Should Be Banned Also, one of the biggest reasons zoos exist is not for helping animals in danger, but in fact breeding them for human enjoyment. 15, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Research and Science, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), C. Robinette, L. Saffran, A. Ruple, and S.L. For some cute marsupial, bear or cat-like faces that you might not get to see in a zoo either, check out our list of the 15 cutest exotic animals in the world! The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Although not everyone can afford a visit to their local zoo, there are still plenty of ways to learn more about the various animals who share this planet with us. Animal cruelty or protection? Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 20, 2017, US Fish & Wildlife Service, California Condor Population Information, fws.gov, May 7, 2018, Jan Flemr, Long Way Home as Przewalskis Horses Fly to Mongolia, phys.org, July 19, 2018, Jane Palmer, The Worlds Last Truly Wild Horse, bbc.com, Nov. 11, 2015, Lori Marino, et al., Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors? Many animals in zoos also have a significantly lower life expectancy compared to animals who live in the wild. If you visit the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, then you can see a rare white alligator. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 2021, there are 241 accredited zoos in the United States. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. Veterinary doctors, zoologist, voluntary staff, etc. "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons." One of the biggest reasons why zoos are bad is because there arent any proper laws to be followed when it comes to providing these animals with protection and as far as there isnt any, zoos should be banned. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Only a dozen individuals were left in one facility by the 1940s, but their numbers are now in the thousands today because of the conservation programs that were initiated to save them. If you feel this user's conduct is unappropriate, please report this comment and our moderaters will review its content and deal with this matter as soon as possible. They also aim toteach visitors the importance of animal conservation and mindfulness of the ecosystem as a whole. [34], About 24% of captive orcas have major to extreme tooth wear and 60% had tooth fractures as a result of stress-induced teeth grinding. However, despite good intentions and considerable financial effort, the concept of zoos is nonetheless seriously problematic. Polar bears dont do well in tropical locations, even when they receive ice as a coping mechanism for the climate. List two to three ways. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. 3, 2018, Tse-Lynn Loh, et al., Quantifying the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, facetsjournal.com, Mar. The Red Panda can be found in St. Louis, and there are fewer than 10,000 of them in the world today. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. Your vote is anonymous. They also lack the everyday social interactions they would experience in the wild. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. 3. One of the biggest reasons why zoos are bad is because there arent any proper laws to be followed when it comes to providing these animals with protection and as far as there isnt any, zoos should be banned. If you wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo in 2019, then a one-day pass for an adult will set you back $50. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. The animals always look miserable in captivity [T]he idea that kids only get excited about things they can see in the flesh is ridiculous. Another disadvantage of zoos is that they often only offer quite poor living conditions for animals. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Should we boycott or ban zoos? WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? This is not only due to the entrance fees for zoos, but also due to the fact that tourists will sleep in hotels and eat out in restaurants, which further generates significant income for the local population. Zoos are not only important to protect endangered animals from extinction, they are also important from a financial perspective for many local communities all around the world. Thus, going to the zoo can give you a great time and can be a nice way to unplug from your stressful daily life. What Is Sustainable Development and Why Is It Necessary? Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. 23, 2019), CBC, Trapped in a Human Zoo, cbc.ca, (accessed Apr. Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages where they cannot roam freely or express natural behaviors.