What Cause Extinction What Can We Do To Stop It? Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. The role of our leaders: Writing at the end of 2020, Al Gore, the 45th vice president of the United States, found reasons for optimismin the Biden presidency, a feeling perhaps borne out by the passing of major climate legislation. This is only one of the Act's limitations. The state and local laws protecting wild animals in captivity are spreading. 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. In many modern zoos, animals are well cared for, healthy and probably, for many species, content. The trainer was immediately sent to the hospital and has since recovered from physical injuries, and so does the dolphin. Earlier this month, footage of a dolphin attacking its trainer in Miami Seaquarium went viral. Zoos are home to many animals. 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. Step away from the selfie stick. Breeding programs in zoos eventually lead to some animals being sold off to other zoos or worse circuses. For example, the typical enclosure designed for a polar bear is about a million times smaller than its natural roaming grounds. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. Having seen a majestic leopard in the zoo, the visitor becomes more willing to pay for its conservation or vote for policies that will preserve it in the wild. Thousands of animals are captured and put in zoos and aquariums for tourist attractions every year. Climate change around the world: In Postcards From a World on Fire, 193 stories from individual countries show how climate change is reshaping reality everywhere, from dying coral reefs in Fiji to disappearing oases in Morocco and far, far beyond. However, that does not stop the silent damage that captivity delivers to such roaming animal species. Even the best zoological park cannot fully capture the wild, and many smaller zoos fail to take effective measures to ensure the health and well-being of their animals. The allure of baby animals and the crowds they pull can lead a zoological garden director to increase them to keep attracting customers. Most states have no laws governing captive wild animals. He also found many examples of zoo elephants hurting or killing their keepers and evidence that zoos routinely downplayed or even lied about those incidents. 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 is considerable variation from state to state and among cities and counties, as to how much legal protection is offered to captive wild animals. In April, ethical tour operator Responsible Travel after consultation with wildlife charity Born Free Foundation axed trips that include zoo visits. says that its members host more than 50 reintroduction programs for species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Nevertheless, a vast majority of zoo animals (there are 800,000 animals of 6,000 species in the A.Z.A.s zoos alone) will spend their whole lives in captivity, either dying of old age after a lifetime of display or by being culled as surplus.. By playing dead, they would deceive predators into leaving them alone. Public zoos sprang up across Europe, many modeled on the London Zoo in Regents Park. However, the truth remains that zoos often have insufficient knowledge of the animals they are housing. The California condor breeding program, which almost certainly saved the species from extinction, includes five zoos as active partners. (The culling of mammals specifically in E.A.Z.A. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. In zoos vets and biologist help to prevent inbreeding. The confined living areas are a big contributor to animal stress and lack of physical stimulation like would be gained from a nice sprint. Some of the captive-born animals are not capable of sustaining themselves in the wild and they could pass on these genes dooming the whole species in that region. However, not all of them are suitable for captivity and are better left alone in the wild. 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. Groundhog More than Just a Weather Prognosticator! CreditPhotographs by Peter Fisher for The New York Times. The same applies to elephants. See Related: Best Wildlife Conservation Jobs. As an avid fan of botanical gardens, I humbly suggest that as the captive animals retire and die off without being replaced, these biodiversity-worshiping institutions devote more and more space to the wonderful world of plants. "We engage huge audiences with wildlife, inspiring the conservationists of tomorrow," argues zoological director of ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, Professor David Field. T he video above shows the tragic reality of how animals in captivity are mistreated and never get to experience freedom, or live how they were . Tell lawmakers you support animal-friendly legislation and local bans on using animals in entertainment. 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. Polar bears have one million times less space. This is particularly true if the animal is there for entertainment. It is these boastful collections of animals, these autocratic menageries, from which the modern zoo, with its didactic plaques and $15 hot dogs, springs. RELATED ARTICLE: Dolphin Attacks Trainer in Front of Horrified Families in Miami Seaquarium: How Often Do These Sea Creatures Attack Humans? People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. Anyone can read what you share. Non-native animals are held in conditions that vary greatly from what they are used to living in. But the law excludes protection for birds, rats and mice, farmed animals and cold-blooded animals such as reptiles, amphibians and fish. In the past five years, the number of zoos has been gradually going up. Animals have been going extinct for as long as there has been life on earthany weakling or disadvantageous animals get wiped out. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. As a late Gen-Xer-cum-early-Millenial, my childhood was rich with trips to visit zoos. 1. PETA isn't alone. Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. An estimated 20 red wolves are all that remain in the wild. But, for every story that casts zoos in a bad light from Vince the rhino's poaching at Paris' Thoiry Zoo in March; Cincinnati Zoo shooting endangered gorilla, Harambe, last year after a child fell into his enclosure; or Copenhagen Zoo killing and publicly dissecting Marius, a two-year-old giraffe in 2014 there are heart-warming tales too. Whats Causing Their Decline? Genes evolved over time to help the animal adjust to a man-made habitat can be a downside to the populations of the species in the wild. That claim is up for debate. Animal Legal Defense Fund petition for rulemaking spurs reporting improvements: Forms will be revised to ensure AWA licensees maintain complete records of all animal deaths. Many people consider zoos amoral and cruel while others have the notion . The Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act, the ESA, is a federal law that protects fish, mammals, birds and plants listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. and beyond. Big cats, such as lions and tigers, used in circuses are forced to live in tiny cages that are transported across the country. When the caretakers are not well informed about the animals they are to be taking care of, it can be problematic. Being placed into a small tank, away from their family units, might not break existing animal protection laws. Animals are forced to sleep, eat, and defecate in the same small area. 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. All Rights are Resvered. But then theres the pacing, the rocking. Investigators found sticks and pine cones inside the exhibit, most likely thrown by the boys. However, in a zoo, the boundaries between the wild and captivity are rearranged. That's not a record that justifies tens of millions of wild animals kept in zoos. In 2018, the Eighth Circuit issued a unanimous decision in Cricket Hollows appeal of that case, that it can be a violation of the Endangered Species Act when captive animals arent given proper care. However, when the animals being culled arent in demand, they might find themselves facing death. See Related: Different Animals That Cant Jump. Mr. Hribal documented many stories of elephants making a run for it in one case repairing to a nearby woods with a pond for a mud bath. See Related: What Is The Hunters Role in Wildlife Conservation? They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. Bears, lions, and other animals languish in roadside zoos across the country. Due to the low density of the population of some animals in their natural ecosystems they struggle to find partners. Apes are excellent at escaping. These refuge-zoos could become places where animals live. In some environments, we believe it's best not to keep certain wild animals at all, as their needs simply can't be met. The practice of killing surplus animals is kept quiet by zoos, but it happens, especially in Europe. Zoos provide opportunities for nice family trips. Even if the animals are being fed well, the lack of freedom can cause them to be stressed. Animals such as lions, elephants, and tigers dont get even close to one percent of the area they roam in the wild. ", PETA's Bekhechi adds, the aim of breeding programmes is just "to produce baby animals to attract visitors.". The daily stress and lack of stimulation often leads to abnormal and self-destructive behaviour - for example, pacing, walking in tight circles, rocking, swaying, or self-mutilation - a condition known as "zoochosis". Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in . The Dark Truth behind Bear Bile Uses: Hidden Costs of Traditional Medicine, The Untold Story of Factory-farmed Cows the Consequences for Animal and Human Health, Are Giraffes Endangered? An example of these associations is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which represents over 240 businesses across the globe. The A.Z.A.s policies allow for the euthanasia of animals, but the president of the association, Dan Ashe, told me, its very rarely employed by his member institutions. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. 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. All Rights Reserved. People may behave eco-friendlier after going to the zoo. "An even smaller proportion are part of captive breeding programmes and, of those, a tiny fraction have been released back into the wild. By designing these enclosures so that many animals could be seen at once, without any bars or walls in the visitors lines of sight, he created an immersive panorama, in which the fact of captivity was supplanted by the illusion of being in nature. At the Los Angeles Zoo, a gorilla named Evelyn escaped seven times in 20 years. 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. Top 50 Most Good-looking Nationalities: AI Shows Beautiful People From Different Countries; How Does Science Measure Beauty, Attractiveness? Taking your family for a day out at the zoo has been a sort of tradition for a very long time and given recent statics the number of visitors is growing. There have also been reported cases of zoos not properly disposing of dead bodies when animals die on their premises. Its protections are minimal as well. Healthy animals in zoos are killed because they are not needed. Deforestation will be the next problem when animals such as moose, elks, and deer start eating everything even young trees. The required standard of care for wild animals, such as those held by zoos, is wide-ranging and nigh on impossible for zoos to provide. zoos is usually not more than 200 animals per year, the organization said.) For example, smaller and faster animals with a lot of predators in the wild tend to thrive in zoos. An example of this is a snake that will bite whatever is threatening them since they are not as good at running away as other animals. See Related: Most Comfortable Animals in The World. Though some zoos plan on reintroducing the animals into the wild after a while, living in zoos makes it impossible for some animals. Visiting a zoo is a chance for many people to see exotic animals they would otherwise be unable to see. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an. Many animals in zoos are not used to confinement. The Brutal Truth About Seal Clubbing: Because Everyone Needs Dead Seal Pups (Not)! They argue that no animal should be forced to spend their life in an unnatural environment and perform. Once an animal has served its purpose, many zoos will either sell them or euthanize them. Trading in Wild Animals: Every year, thousands of animals enter the captive wild animal trade. In contrast, those nesting animals or cornered ones will try to defend themselves if being approached to protect their young. (This law does not affect zoos or circuses.). It's the first travel company to publicly make such a move. 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. However, few people stop and actively consider why zoos are bad. Ostensibly places for genteel amusement and edification, zoos expanded beyond big and fearsome animals to include reptile houses, aviaries and insectariums. However, looking back as an adult with a world-savvy eye, there is far more to animal captivity than meets the eye. This conservation focus must be a key component for institutions that want to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization that sets standards and policies for facilities in the United States and 12 other countries. On the other hand, some animals try to flirt their way to protect their nest. There are 39 animal species currently listed by the IUCN as Extinct in the Wild. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. Here are some of the major ways that these jurisdictions are protecting wild captive animals under the law: Restricting Private Parties From Keeping Wild Animals: Some states ban the keeping of wild and exotic animals. Exotic animals have become very popular, but they are also dangerous in so many ways. Below are a dozen reasons why zoos can be bad for animals: No matter how dedicated a zoo is, it cant meet the space requirements for most of its 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 room; the animal is deprived of its natural . Just as we humans are free to do whatever we want so long as we follow the law, then it shouldn't be different for animals. A zoological park is defined as an establishment designed for conservation, study, and public display. In 1982, only 22 condors existed in the wild. And this is not a definite number of victims; there is probably a good number that hasnt been documented. 525 East Cotati Avenue,Cotati, CA 94931 Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. The Toledo Zoo has dosed zebras and wildebeest with the antipsychotic haloperidol to keep them calm and has put an orangutan on Prozac. All rights reserved. A largely unregulated trend is the hybrid breeding of wild cats with house cats, with predictably disastrous consequences. Private individuals with the financial means use their money to procure rare or exotic animals from zoos to add to their own private collections. Zoo keepers are often trained and specialize in a particular breed or species. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) operates an accreditation system for sanctuaries, rescue centres and rehabilitation centres. But theres no unambiguous evidence that zoos are making visitors care more about conservation or take any action to support it. This can lead to an appreciation of animals, which in return will see them being treated much better. These are wild animals, who are dangerous by nature and cannot be domesticated. See Related: Are Humans Animals? A study by Bristol University found that many British zoos fail to provide animals with the required minimum standard of care. When wild animals shouldn't be in captivity. There were five such states until 2017, when South Carolina passed a law banning wild and exotic animals to be kept as pets. The U.S. became a signatory to CITES in 1975. Kept in barren cages rarely larger than 20 by 20 feet, bears in roadside zoos spend their days pacing, sleeping abnormally long periods of time, and bobbing their head all indications of extreme psychological distress. Giraffes endlessly flick their tongues. Copyright 2015-2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. When it rains, the topsoil gets washed away leaving the land more exposed. Existing animal protection laws do not actually consider the true ramifications of captivity. Should Animals Be Kept In Zoos However, there are various reasons that explain why zoos are unethical. Some sad facts about zoos are that at times, the people hired to take care of and protect these animals arent very qualified. Power-mad men from Henry III to Saddam Husseins son Uday to the drug kingpin Pablo Escobar to Charlemagne all tried to underscore their strength by keeping terrifying beasts captive. Zoo animals sustain both physical and psychological scars from harsh zookeepers. Not investing enough when designing a habitat for your animals to save money. These tours often pretend to talk about their animals natural habitat and inclinations. Animals held captive in zoos are in very small environments such as cages, and they have no freedom. Life expectancy for animals in captivity depends on a couple of things, such as their way of life, among other factors. What if zoos stopped breeding all their animals, with the possible exception of any endangered species with a real chance of being released back into the wild? Terrifying, Pre-Historic-Looking Fish Captured in the Ocean's Twilight Zone; What Is It? Fish and Wildlife Service, suggested that learning how to breed animals contributes to conservation in the long term, even if very few animals are being released now. Profits are also gained through the selling of animals to other zoos or circuses. This alteration of the animals behavior will eventually do more harm than good. Zoos can be productive when it comes to reviving an animal species on the brink of extinction. A.Z.A. Animals live in cruel conditions, confined to small cages without the enrichment they need to lead full, happy lives. Tigers, lions, elephants, bears and nonhuman primates are all included in this law. A common criticism is that the inspectors are often inadequately trained to look for sign of problems such as abuse and neglect. Those who reported a sense of connection to the animals at the zoo also correlated positively with general environmental concern. This gives the poor pets a home and creates a revenue stream for the zoos. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. However, there are some disadvantages of zoos to the environment ranging from overpopulation of a species to global warming. Even when properly fed and well housed, they can never be fully relaxed in confined spaces. Animals kept in an unsuitable environment or fed the wrong diet can suffer, and this can lead to illness or death. Nature reserves, bird watching, going on a safari. Reintroduced animals have a hard time coping with life in the wild after long periods away. Living collections were often presented in taxonomic order, with various species of the same family grouped together, for comparative study. Animals also lose their genetic diversity especially due to inbreeding. From there, it was an easy leap to protecting animal species. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. The truth is that zoos are a prison for animals. Thats true, he said. When confined they rock, pull their hair and engage in other tics. Check out more news and information on Wild Animalsin Science Times. Copyright OurEndangedWorld | All Rights Reserved, Environmental Organizations in The Philippines, Environmental Organizations in North America, Environmental Organizations in South America, Best Energy-Efficient Electric Fireplaces. You can surely help these animals by refusing to visit zoos and instead supporting sanctuaries where animals live in natural habitats. Going to the zoo is sort of a short vacation for many people. Eventually, the only animals on display would be a few ancient holdovers from the old menageries, animals in active conservation breeding programs and perhaps a few rescues. 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. The animals too have rights and they shouldnt be subjected to half the things they undergo. Giant Insect From Jurassic Era Found in Walmart Opens Deeper Ecological Questions, 3,500-Year-old Perfectly Preserved, Mummified Bear Might Lead to 'Breakthrough in Ancient Animal Study', Presumed Extinct Funji-eating Fairy Lantern Plant Found Emerging Again in Japan, How Did Missing Argentinian Man's Remains Get Into a Shark's Stomach? 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. Why Animals Should Not be Kept in Zoos These animals oftentimes live in inhumane conditions, and pose a serious threat to public safety. They learned from their parents to be mistrustful because they have no way of knowing whether people could be good or do them harm. When zoos find themselves with surplus animals, they need to find ways to reduce their numbers. Also, removing a certain species from the ecosystem can destroy the whole ecosystem. The monotonous, confined life of animals in captivity is a mere shadow of what life was like for them in the wild. Your voice is needed, so that captive wild animals in the United States, and elsewhere, are better protected. I have written before about the importance of zoos and the role they have to play in the world for conservation . Their death can be caused by either: lack of space, physical problems, diet, and PTSD. Though the zoos business has grown from what it was over a century ago, there are still some things that can be improved. An animals worth is only equal to the attraction it offers to visitors. The Animal Legal Defense Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The bill helps end the rampant abuse of tigers and other big cats in captivity by banning private possession. WorldAnimalFoundation.org, Today's Deal: $300 Discount on Halo 2+ GPS Dog Collar. Animals are forced to live in artificial habitats that arent anywhere close to their former homes (the wild). A small exhibit is never going to truly capture the vastness of the open world. Things like ensuring animals arent caged and treated less than they deserve. These standards set a low bar and are widely considered to be sub-par in protecting animals. [WATCH], Armored Dinosaur Magnificently Preserved After Face, Skin, Spikes Survived Fossilization.