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. Many animals in zoos also have a significantly lower life expectancy compared to animals who live in the wild. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. Przewalskis horse is a success story for zoos because this species was believed to be extinct in the wild. In fact, many of us stay children deep inside and we may also remember many nice childhood memories. That created a total economic output in the United States of more than $17 billion per year, with $2.4 billion in spending and $5.4 billion in personal earnings on top of that figure. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 9. Opponents of zoos often claim that zoos are just in place for human amusement. Zoos have more visitors than the combined attendance of the four major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL). Please let us know! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinalls opinion that zoos are outdated and cruel.. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. This can not only save you plenty of money but also significant amounts of time. Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. 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. 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. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. 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. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. [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. There are times when a zoo is absolutely necessary to the survival of the animal. Most zoos struggle to survive, which means the animals kept in those facilities are also at risk. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Your comment is being posted. 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 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Pollinator Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. 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. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. 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. 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. Given that the destruction of wildlife habitats worldwide continues unabated and species like elephants, big cats, birds, primates, rhinos, reptiles, and many others are at real of extinction, zoos have stepped in with the hopes of stopping or at least slowing the decline of these endangered species. This emphasis is still present today, with many facilities offering educational programs, behind-the-scenes tours, and various activities which encourage visitors to learn more about the animals which live there. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. Human-Environment Interaction: Definition & Examples, 30 Team-Building Activities for Kids (Indoor & Outdoor), 25 Outdoor Team Building Activities for Group Bonding, 3 Homemade Heating Pad DIYs to Warm Up Your Winter, How to Make a Bird Box With Easy Customizations, DIY Baking Soda Vinegar Foot Soak For Tired Feet. 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 oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. Then there are the circumstances where we try to profit off of their circumstances. Since the overall living conditions for animals are often quite poor in zoos, opponents of zoos also often claim that most zoos are cruel and should be closed. Do you think that zoos are an effective way to increase awareness about animal life? [29], About 70% of adult male gorillas in North America have heart disease, the leading cause of death among gorillas in captivity, although the condition is almost completely absent in the wild. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. Last modified on August 13, 2021. [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. Many zoos all over the world also work together and have cooperation agreements. However, if staff members dont have proper qualifications, chances are that some animals are treated quite poorly and many of them may also suffer from serious neglect over time. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. WebReasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. If you believe they should not, consider how else to accomplish zoos conservation efforts. If they dont follow the rules, they essentially go out of business. There were only nine California condors in the wild in 1985. Consequently, going to the zoo can be a great way to spend your time in a completely different environment, which can also be helpful if you are currently rather bored with your daily life. Do We Need Them. Zoos are an unsuitable environment for wild animals and should be abolished. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/zoo/, https://oakleesguide.com/10-tips-for-an-awesome-zoo-trip/. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. A study of 35 species of carnivores, including brown bears, cheetahs, and lions, found that zoo enclosures were too small for the animals to carry out their normal routines, which led to problems such as pacing and more infant deaths. 5. 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. The difference can be as much as 50% when comparing the lifespan of a wild species compared to one kept in a zoo. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. At the time, these institutions accommodated nearly 800,000 animals and 6,000 species, with around 1,000 on the endangered species list. 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. Another issue with zoos is that there is often also only insufficient regulation of zoos in many countries of our planet. At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. 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. 916 Words4 Pages. In fact, due to quite poor living conditions, many animals in zoos develop serious mental issues over time. 2. Additional rare animals which receive protection in U.S. zoos include the Addax, Amur tiger, Borneo elephant, and the Pacific walrus. If you are new to netivist, please create your account for free and start collecting your netivist points! 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. 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 losing their influence on the educational industry. Over 180 million people visit zoos in the United States each year. If you have four kids that you want to take there for the day, then you could be out $300 before you take your first step onto the grounds. Zoos are also quite popular in many countries all over the world. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Specific programs at the zoological grounds encourage visitors to interact with the animals in unique ways. Zoos provide specialized care for the animals that are kept on the grounds. 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. However, I will not take any responsibility for incorrect information and will not be liable for any negative consequences that might occur due to the reliance on this information. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? This advantage comes at the expense of the animals which are forced to spend their lives in an enclosure. In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. Quarantine procedures are part of the zoos overall structure as well. 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. Thus, it is crucial that we protect those animals from poachers in order to assure a viable future for them. A complete ban or more vigorous enforcement of standards would also protect these untrained workers from injury or death caused by unpredictable animal behavior. Should zoos be banned facts. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. 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. Manage Settings Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. Live feeding, often touted as positive since it encourages normal predatory behaviors, has a notable downside.