In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? 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. Many of them are reported every week in the media, however, the large majority are kept secret and those responsible are never held accountable or punished. For example, the veterinary staff at the Bronx Zoo in New York alerted health officials of the presence of West Nile Virus. If you believe they should, consider whether they should remain the same or change. Some elephant herds in the wild can grow to become 40 members strong. The shocking evidence of animal abuse in some circuses, dolphinariums and zoos have pushed many environmental and wildlife activist groupsto campaign for the closure of many of the institutions that keep wild animals in captivity. In general, if animals are kept under unnatural living conditions, their behavior will change in the long run. 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. In fact, those people often work in demanding office jobs for long hours and dont spend time in nature anymore. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? 7, 2019), NBA, NBA Breaks All-Time Attendance Record for Fourth Straight Year, nba.com, Apr. 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. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living In turn, chances are that those zoo animals are much unhappier compared to animals of the same species who live in the wild. 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. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Smithsonian Zoo is one example of many that works with local institutions to build programs at every post-graduate level to ensure the future safety of animals. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-4','ezslot_23',198,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-4-0'); In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. 3. List two to three ways. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/zoo/, https://oakleesguide.com/10-tips-for-an-awesome-zoo-trip/. It changes the lifespan of the animals held in captivity. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. What Is Sustainable Development and Why Is It Necessary? 2. Zoos are regularly inspected and accredited for the services they provide. Zoos are an unsuitable environment for wild animals and should be abolished. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. Deem, Zoos and Public Health: A Partnership on the One Health Frontier,One Health, Nov. 23, 2016, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, 10 Endangered Species Saved from Extinction by Zoos, medium.com, May 18, 2017, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, AZA and Animal Program Conservation Initiatives, aza.org (accessed Apr. 23, 2019), CBC, Trapped in a Human Zoo, cbc.ca, (accessed Apr. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether zoos should exist, go to ProCon.org. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Your vote is anonymous. Is keeping animals in captivity a good way to ensure their future? Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. This is due to the fact that many zoos are subsidized by the government in order to give as many people access to zoos as possible. This first effort displayed people who had different physical traits that were unusual something similar to the freak shows of the traveling circuses in the 19th and early 20th century. Do the cons of zoos outweight their benefits? This is not only true for children, but also for many adults. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos 2022-11-17 Should zoos be banned facts Rating: 4,9/10 1414 reviews "Sab Din Hot Na Ek Saman" (meaning "Every day is the same" in English) is a common phrase that reflects the monotony and repetitive nature of daily life. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. However, while those zoos may help to make some money for people in those regions, the conditions in those zoos are often rather poor since the goal is profit maximization and not to offer animals the best living conditions possible. Research on this species is quite important since only if we get to know more about them, we will be able to protect those species from extinction in the long run. [16], Zoos are also working to save polar bears, tigers, and wild African elephants from habitat loss, apes and rhinos from poachers, dolphins and whales from hunters, and bees and butterflies from population declines, among many other efforts to help many other animals. When the first modern zoo was established in London in the 19th century, the purpose was purely scientific. That is typically a consequence of employing workers with little to no animal welfare or safety training. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Thus, zoos are also often not able to increase the populations of animals in the wild. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. In the late 20th century, the narrative changed again to the conservation of animals to stave off extinction. Another significant downside of zoos is that animals can often not be returned to the wild after they had been kept in captivity. While going to the zoo can be a great way to spend your time, zoos are often also quite popular and crowded and if you want to spend your time in a more relaxed manner, you may want to spend your leisure on other activities or attend rather unpopular zoos instead of crowded ones. An increasing number of animal rights advocates and animal protection organizations are questioning the role of zoos in modern societies. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? National Geographic notes that elephants can live for up to 70 years when they live in protected areas of the wild in Africa or Asia, while those kept in zoos is just 17 years for African elephants born into captivity. These facilities can provide an educational resource to their community. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. Then, targeted bans for specific zoos that do not satisfy firmer regulations might become an option. Over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year in the United States,and 25 million in the United Kingdom. Even the best zoos can have animals develop severe health problems. 3. Keep up the good work. Careful supervision of policies and procedures allows for trainers, visitors, and the animals to maintain a higher level of safety in every facet of care. However, today on Earth due to population growth and urbanization many animal species are endangered and most people have very few opportunities to observe and learn from animals. In the face of sharp criticism and loud calls for zoos to be banned, many modern zoos state that their primary function is to breed endangered species and reintroduce them into the wild. Zoo advocates maintain that their efforts make a difference in wildlife conservation and will continue to have a positive environmental impact well into the future. Hence, especially for rare species, zoos can be quite important for researchers since they are often the only place where scientists can explore those rare species. Should zoos be banned facts. In my opinion, keeping animals in zoos can be justifiable as long as animals are kept under rather natural conditions and are not caged in pretty confined spaces. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. This could mean that they ship animals from one zoo to another in case it makes sense. [40], Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. 2021, there are 241 accredited zoos in the United States. A zoological garden, which is sometimes referred to as an animal park or a menagerie, is a facility which houses animals within an enclosure and displays them to the public in a manner that is safe for everyone involved. 4. Join with confidence, netivist is completely advertisement free. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. Vote and join our debate (see below), Watch this video on "zoochosis" and the living conditions of animals in captivity. Especially if you have children, going to the zoo can also be a quite nice family activity. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. 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. 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. That said, a more uniform, robust, and compassionate regulatory system based on the humane care and conservation of wildlife would be a step in the right direction. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. That means a cycle of dependency begins that requires ongoing resources to maintain because that animal has no ability to live on its own. Zoos also collect exotic pets from people who want to get rid of them, which gives the pets home while generating revenue for the zoos. the initial reaction of most people is rejection. Animals can become dependent on the facilities. Zoos can also be a great destination for field trips. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. They are simply, From an ethical point of view zoos are also questionable. Thus, it is crucial that we protect those animals from poachers in order to assure a viable future for them. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regents Park, these zoos were intended for genteel amusement and edification, according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Zoos can do an excellent job at conservation if they make the effort, but far too often profit is the primary motivation. By Scott Woodsidecategories: Environment & Nature October 28, 2022, 12:00 PM. Animals in captivity often develop dangerous and destructive habits due to the stress of living in such restricted spaces. In fact, many animals are kept in an unnatural manner and also dont get sufficient other animals from their species. These roadside zoos are consistently reported for neglect and severe animal mistreatment. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. The actual territory of some individuals and packs may be over 300 miles in width. Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Most people working in zoos are true animal lovers. When animals move from zoo to zoo, trading money or other resources in exchange for another display opportunity to the local population, then it is our welfare we are concerned about instead of theirs. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. If you want to use it you simply need toattribute it bylinkingto this page or tohttps://netivist.org. 9. The Toledo Zoo ran a psychiatric program in which a gorilla with premenstrual depression was prescribed Prozac. 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. 15, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Research and Science, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), C. Robinette, L. Saffran, A. Ruple, and S.L. In fact, similar to circuses, animals are often treated quite poorly in zoos and have to comply with the rules of zookeepers. Already have an account on netivist? In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. In 2017, 173 accredited US zoos spent $25 million on research, studied 485 species and subspecies of animals, worked on 1,280 research projects, and published 170 research manuscripts. Furthermore, zoos often harbor non-native species unacclimatized to the local environment. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. While zoos can provide some benefits for animals and the public, there are also valid concerns about the impact on animal welfare and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. The animals experience these issues due to smaller enclosures, changes in diet and activities, and the introduction of things not seen in the wild, such as medical exams and people with cameras. The zoos attract over 181 million visitors annually, which is more than the approximately 131 million yearly spectators of the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB combined. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. This might take a few seconds, please wait. 2. Why the Difference Between Weather and Climate Matters. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Of 77 elephants in 13 zoos, 71 were overweight and spent 83% of their time indoors, contributing to early death. 13, 2017, Edna Francisco, Zoo Carnivores Need More Space, sciencemag.org, Oct. 1, 2003, Ian Sample, Stress and Lack of Exercise Are Killing Elephants Zoos Warned, theguardian.com, Dec. 11, 2008, Alex Halberstadt, Zoo Animals and Their Discontents, nytimes.com, July 3, 2014, Daniel Engber, The Tears of a Panda, slate.com, Sep. 14, 2006, Jenni Laidman, Zoos Using Drugs to Help Manage Anxious Animals, toledoblade.com, Sep. 12, 2005, Lucy Birkett and Nicholas E. Newton-Fisher, How Abnormal Is the Behavior of Captive, Zoo-Living Chimpanzees?, journals.plos.org, June 16, 2011, John Jett, et al., Tooth Damage in Captive Orcas, sciencedirect.com, May 2018, Natasha Daly, Orcas Dont Do Well in Captivity. 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. Although there are efforts to replicate a wild habitat, a small display area is hardly the same as being free to roam. Pros and Cons of Owning an Exotic Animal Animal Adovocacy Organizations to Partner With One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. Zoo is the place where wild animals are collected for tourist attraction, as there are several endanger species animals protected from extinction by zookeepers. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US had 230 accredited zoos and aquariums as of 2020. Please let us know! If we have to live under unnatural conditions, we also develop mental issues and the same is true for animals of many sorts. There are more humane and effective ways to conserve and educate about animals, and it is our responsibility to consider the welfare of all beings on this planet. 3. [11], Robin Ganzert, PhD, President and CEO of American Humane, stated, zoos provide people, especially impressionable children, with the opportunity to see these remarkable animals up close. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. 5. The most urgent issue is arguably the lack of uniform regulation. Some establishments have worked hard to adapt their enclosures to better suit the needs of the animals they hold. [13] [14], 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 Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Just login. A Critical Evaluation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Study, animalstudiesrepoistory.org, 2010, John H. Falk, et al., Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit to a Zoo or Aquarium, docplayer.net, 2007, Romesh Ranganathan, Zoos Are Prisons for Animals No One Needs to See a Depressed Penguin in the Flesh, theguardian.com, Mar. Some species have been poached to near extinction because of this market. The overall goal always remains the same; to ensure the best possible care for every animal in care. In fact, many big zoos have hundreds or even thousands of different animal species and even if you search for rather exotic species that would never be present in your local area, chances are that you will find those species in zoos. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Quarantine procedures are part of the zoos overall structure as well. Web1030 Words5 Pages. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living Zoos have existed in some form since at least 2500 BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where records indicate giraffes, bears, dolphins, and other animals were kept by aristocrats. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos The animals would then be transferred to zoos where the proper care would be given to them. 3. Kids 12 and up qualify for the adult rate. Carl Hegenbeck, a German exotic animal importer, introduced the modern model of more natural habitats for animals instead of obvious cages at his Animal Park in Hamburg in 1907. 3, 2018, Tse-Lynn Loh, et al., Quantifying the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, facetsjournal.com, Mar. WebReasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regents Park, these zoos were intended for genteel amusement and edification, according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. A gorilla named Madame Ningo, the firstgorillato arrive in the United States in 1911 who was to live at theBronx Zoo, was fed hot dinners and cooked meat despite gorillas beingherbivores, for example. After the famous wildlife conservationist Geral Durrell opened a zoo in Jersey in 1959, zoos all over the world have embraced the mission of. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 1 Nonprofit in Published Research by Top Zoos and Aquariums, mote.org, Apr. WebZoos may also be problematic from an ethical perspective Lack of regulation of zoos in many countries Often not possible to return animals to the wild Some zoos are quite crowded Opponents claim that zoos are just for human amusement Shorter life expectancy of animals in zoos Some wild animals have to be caught to bring them to the zoo Moreover, these smaller, unregulated organizations sometimes possess animals procured through illegal trafficking channels, a serious global problem. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. 1. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. From time to time, wild animals have to be caught and sent to zoos in order to sustain the populations of animals in zoos. 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. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. The Chester and Whipsnade zoological parks where the first two non-urban zoos without cages and larger enclosures. If your thoughts have not changed, list two to three ways your better understanding of the other side of the issue now helps you better argue your position. Equity, respect and transparency are at the heart of fair trades definition. If you want to use it you simply need to, Vote and tell us why you find zoos good or bad. According to organizations like the World Society for the Protection of Animals and The Humane Society of the United States, restrictive cages and enclosures affect normal animal behavior and sometimes lead to shorter lifespans. protect many animals from endangerment or even from extinction, Personal Brand vs. Corporate Brand: 24 Key Pros & Cons, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In (Retro) Video Games, 34 Major Pros & Cons Of Investing In Comic Books, Gold Bars vs. Gold Coins: 23 Precious Pros & Cons, 31 Cool Pros & Cons Of Owning A Classic Car, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Unemployment Benefits, 32 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In Trading Cards, 30 Precious Pros & Cons Of Investing In Art, Zoos can help to protect endangered species, Zoos do not provide natural living conditions, Zoos can raise awareness on global problems, Zoos are problematic from an ethical view, Takes away the need to travel to see animals, Not possible to return animals to the wild. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. If so, how? Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. [31][32] [33], A study of captive chimpanzees found that abnormal behaviour is endemic in the population, and includes behaviors such as eating feces, twitching, rocking back and forth, plucking hair, pacing, vomiting, and self-mutilation, among others. Create your account for free. We are having trouble saving your comment. Banning zoos could go a long way toward halting this practice or at the very least reducing its impact on the natural world. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? Thus, especially in countries with lax regulations related to zoos, animals will often be treated quite poorly and in those countries, governments should introduce stricter regulations in order to protect these animals. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. Last modified on August 13, 2021. Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? Ota Benga was part of an exhibit in the Bronx and in St. Louis, purchased by a Christian missionary who wanted to put African people into an exhibition. Even injured animals can encounter this problem if their recovery time is lengthy. When you visit the Memphis Zoo, then you can see an Okapi. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. In fact, especially people who work in demanding jobs for quite long hours every day often need time for themselves in order to reload their batteries. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 The best natural habitat enclosures are a poor substitute for the real thing. In fact, in many countries of our planet, zoo animals dont have sufficient space to move and cannot satisfy their basic needs, which can indeed be considered as rather cruel. Hence, it is quite likely that animals in zoos will develop changes in behavior over time and some of those animals may also become quite unpredictable and dangerous for animal attendants in zoos. There are thousands of them around the world, with every continent except Antarctica hosting at least one. Zoos also give us a unique opportunity to see many different exotic animals without the need to travel to many exotic countries. 2021. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. Pros and Cons of Owning an Exotic Animal Animal Adovocacy Organizations to Partner With WebReasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals. A zoo can provide a protected environment for rare and endangered species. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. Abnormal animal behavior also puts zoo workers at greater risk for injury and death. To ease them into new habitats, an agitated tiger was given Valium, and anxious zebras and wildebeests were given Haldol. Should animals be kept in captivity? Hence, you dont have to worry to go to the zoo from a social perspective since zoos are socially accepted in most countries of our planet. Many of them are reported every week in the media, however, the large majority are kept secret and those responsible are never held accountable or punished. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. In fact, many children love to go to the zoo and it can also be a great location for school excursions since going to the zoo is rather risk-free and teachers may not have to worry too much due to that. Each person in a caretaker role is highly educated, trained to know the mannerisms, health needs, and characteristics of the animal to ensure the highest levels of safety. Only use this feature if you are certain this user has infringed netivist's Terms of Service. These are the most common arguments in favor and against zoos. Humans as part of zoological exhibitions did not fully stop until the early 20th century. Animals are not always caged in zoos. The animals are given special activities and nutrition that works with their instincts as well to give them the most natural existence possible. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? 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. 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.