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. Thus, by going to the zoo, people may be more eager to take additional efforts in their daily lives to behave as eco-friendly as possible, which is crucial to protect our animal and plant species from extinction and also to solve various other environmental problems. While zoos spend millions on keeping animals confined, natural habitats are destroyed and animals are killed, as theres insufficient funding for their protection. It changes the behavior of the animal. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. If you believe they should not, consider how else to accomplish zoos conservation efforts. 3. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Other great apes have similar health problems in captivity. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. Zoos receive regular inspections on multiple levels to ensure they are in compliance with care and safety regulations. Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. 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. In the late 20th century, the narrative changed again to the conservation of animals to stave off extinction. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. 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. 1. ", ProCon.org. 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. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. 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. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. Although these efforts do not entirely replicate migration or hunting, it does reduce the amount of boredom that occurs during their stay in the zoo. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. 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. 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. When dealing with a predator species in particular, any children born in captivity cannot be released into the wild because they have no hunting or survival instincts. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. A joint conservation effort between the San Diego and Los Angeles Zoos with other organizations resulted in a population of 276 California condors in the wild and another 170 in captivity by 2016. 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. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. The contemporary debate about zoos tends to focus on animal welfare on both sides, whether zoos protect animals or imprison them. Share it! The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. 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. Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of zoos before we make up our minds. Most zoos got their start because local scientists wanted to get to know wild and exotic species better. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. In general, opponents of zoos also often claim that zoos are also problematic from an ethical perspective. If zoos are unable to maintain standards of cleanliness, animal engagement, and habitat structure, then the facility can lose its accreditation and ability to operate. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinalls opinion that zoos are outdated and cruel.. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. What we see is a process that eventually leads towards domestication, which is why it is a struggle for injured or wild animals to finish out their lives in a zoo. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 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. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. 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? Should zoos exist? 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. 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. The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem cant be solved easily. About 15 out of the 5 million animals currently alive are believed to have this rare condition that changes the color of their skin. The American Zoo Association even stated that conservation was its number one priority. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage 916 Words4 Pages. It also means that those zoos often work together on research projects and share their latest insights regarding how to keep animals in zoos as naturally as possible. People wont protect what they dont love, and they cant love what they dont know. A complete ban or more vigorous enforcement of standards would also protect these untrained workers from injury or death caused by unpredictable animal behavior. 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. Moreover, you can also educate children about the importance of behaving eco-friendly, which is crucial to assure a livable future for them and for the next generations.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_24',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Another nice thing about zoos is that they are often quite different. Visiting the zoo requires people to have respect for the fences, borders, and safety enclosures that separate the animals from their trainers, keepers, and families. Consider the pros and cons with a video from Above the Noise. For example, roadside zoos throughout North America make their profit by attracting visitors to adjacent facilities usually on gas station lots. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. While zoos spend millions on keeping animals confined, natural habitats are destroyed and animals are killed, as theres insufficient funding for their protection. Should animals be kept in captivity? [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. Ever since there has been an increasing public concern about animal welfare in zoos. 4. WebThe question whether animals should be kept in captivity or not is debated on many platforms and forums. They opened in 1931. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. Another significant upside of zoos is that they can protect animals from poaching. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether zoos should exist, go to ProCon.org. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Pros and Cons of Owning an Exotic Animal Animal Adovocacy Organizations to Partner With The overall goal always remains the same; to ensure the best possible care for every animal in care. 2021. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. Thus, in order to protect those animals from mental issues as best as possible, zoos should try to improve the overall living conditions of those animals and provide them with sufficient space so that those animals can live as naturally as possible. [4], Captive elephants live about half as long as wild elephants: 18.9 years v. 41.7 years for Asian elephants and 16.9 years v. 35.8 years for African elephants. The San Diego Zoo offers an annual Gala fundraiser were tickets begin at $450 each, while preferred seating options are priced at $900. [15], Zoo research is used in other ways such as informing legislation like the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, helping engineers build a robot to move like a sidewinder snake, and encouraging minority students to enter STEM careers. 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. Zoos can excel when they have the proper funding to meet the needs of their animal population. All rights reserved. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. Even injured animals can encounter this problem if their recovery time is lengthy. This disadvantage occurs because there is no longer a need to hunt for their survival. Over 180 million people visit zoos in the United States each year. Please try again. What Is Sustainable Development and Why Is It Necessary? ], ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons. The animals would then be transferred to zoos where the proper care would be given to them. 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. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. Zoos also give us a unique opportunity to see many different exotic animals without the need to travel to many exotic countries. Manage Settings Some establishments have worked hard to adapt their enclosures to better suit the needs of the animals they hold. 3. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. People working at zoos paid little attention to the concept of wildlife conservation or expanding our scientific understanding of the animal kingdom. WebThe question whether animals should be kept in captivity or not is debated on many platforms and forums. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. There is no quick fix for the issues faced by zoos across the country and around the world. They also aim toteach visitors the importance of animal conservation and mindfulness of the ecosystem as a whole. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. In fact, those people often work in demanding office jobs for long hours and dont spend time in nature anymore. Zoos have more visitors than the combined attendance of the four major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL). See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. [1] [2], The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. 7. Polar bears dont do well in tropical locations, even when they receive ice as a coping mechanism for the climate.
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