"Animals in zoos suffer tremendously, both physically and mentally. It is also true that in in situ conservation (national parks and sanctuaries), in spite of strict vigil, animals are poached. Are Zoos animal prisons or instead places where sick and injured species are looked after? Although human freak shows have nearly disappeared, animal circuses otherwise continue relatively unchanged. No matter what a persons socioeconomic status may be, there is a chance to learn something new because of the work of a zoo. These zoos provide 200,000 jobs with an annual budget of $230 million set aside for wildlife conservation. Britannica Earth Scientist John Rafferty examines Earths current episode of mass extinction. Lmao, what a bunch of nonsense. Zoos are entertainment, and while they contribute to conservation they don't provide any real solution. Animals should not be kept in zoos. This Montreal-based circus, founded by two street performers in 1984, features only human performers and now has as many as 15 shows running simultaneously around the world. Rats invaded paradise. That claim is up for debate. There are continuous cases of animals, and zoo workers. April 27, 2023. How this animal can survive is a mystery. PO Box 70315 Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. 2 hours of sleep? The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem cant be solved easily. Make em scream. Frisco also warns other trainers to avoid beating the elephants in public view. They are a place that provides jobs, creates tourism opportunities, and can even be an, employed in the Zoos & Aquariums industry in the US only. Without Zoos, species such as the Kihansi Spray Toad, California Condor, Giant Panda, Addax, Scimitar Oryx, and countless others would've been extinct by now. She is currently working to promote legislation in Chicago that would be the strongest elephant protection law in the United States. Tigers, elephants, chimpanzees and many other species have never been successfully released into the wild by UK zoos. Text STOP to end, HELP for more info. Circuses routinely tear unweaned baby elephants from their mothers to be trained and sent on the road. But through Johnsons explanations, readers learn the often brutal tricks of training animals; it becomes clear that these exercises involve domination, humiliation, and pain, and any pleasure one might take in seeing a chimpanzee ride a bicycle should evaporate. These roadside zoos are consistently reported for neglect and severe animal mistreatment. Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. After all, whats the point of breeding animals if they have no home left to go to? Animals are not actors or spectacles to imprison and gawk at. In one British zoo, the carcasses of slaughtered animals, including baboons and endangered deer, were left to rot beside bins. There is also strong evidence that many zoos dispose of surplus animals, either by killing them or selling them to unethical exotic-animal dealers. As one reviewer said, The animal show is, literally, a dramatization of our superiority over the animal kingdom, an enactment of little parables of mastery and servitude.. Take this quiz to test your knowledge. This rising need and the requirements of scholarly research led to the founding of the first modern zoos. PETA obtained undercover video footage of the Carson & Barnes Circus that shows elephant trainer Tim Frisco beating elephants with a sharp metal training device called a bullhook during a training session. This newfound behavior may offer a clue to how these reptiles will respond to a warming planet. Petting zoos are hotbeds of E. coli bacteria, and numerous children have been infected with the potentially deadly bug after visiting such displays. Most people working in zoos are true animal lovers. To save chestnut trees, we may have to play God, Why you should add native plants to your garden, What you can do right now to advocate for the planet, Why poison ivy is an unlikely climate change winner. PETA William Johnson (1994). Pollution is one of the most serious yet easiest problems to overcome because it relies on human actions. Some animals were saved from slaughter and were trained through merciless beating to perform tricks. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos - PETA UK Infections can spread through direct animal contact or mere touching of the surroundings near an animal exhibit. Zoos across the US can take credit for reviving the wild Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin and Californian condor populations, among many others. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Why should zoos be banned? Some establishments have worked hard to adapt their enclosures to better suit the needs of the animals they hold. PETA says: "People who care about protecting endangered species should donate to organisations that safeguard them in their natural habitats if a species' native environment has been destroyed, there's nowhere left for the animals to go. Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Abnormal Repetitive behavior is another best reason why zoos should be banned. All rights reserved, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Zoos are hardly educational the caged, lonely animals they house are so far removed from their natural context that they have little opportunity to follow their instincts. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. We can protect endangered species by supporting habitat conservation not animal prisons. Please dont visit zoos. Sometimes these animals lash out, injuring and killing trainers, caretakers, and members of the public. Should zoos be banned, we would certainly loose some species. Smaller, poorer zoos simply do not have the luxury of hiring well-trained zoological staff or expanding their breeding programs and facilities to maintain the ethos of conservation. Instead, explain to your children why your family does not support cruelty to animals. Why are zoos bad for animals? Why? Animals Are Still Suffering at Thailands Pata Zoo. Animals suffering from psychological distress often rock, sway, or pace endlessly, and some even resort to hurting themselves by chewing on their own fingers or limbs or pulling out their fur or feathers. Although the events staged in the Circus Maximus began as fairly benign popular entertainment, they became increasingly violent spectacles. Most animals confined in zoos are not endangered, nor are they being prepared for release into natural habitats. 10. After all, whats the point of breeding animals if they have no home left to go to? The animals cry out in pain. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation The polar bears in Winnipeg have disco poo. Afterward, on our way to a local bakery, we happened upon a beautifully dressed group of carolers singing holiday songs. Even in the best circumstances, its impossible for zoos to meet all the unique environmental, nutritional, climate, and social needs of the various species they hold captive and some fail to provide even basic care. They argue that zoos dont educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Foundationa charitable company limited by guarantee, with its registered office at Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London, EC4N 6AF. Infections can spread through direct animal contact or mere touching of the surroundings near an animal exhibit. ", Published in the June 2017 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK), Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Activists are calling to ban zoos, and their voices are getting louder. Look out for the GFAS seal of approval. PETA The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem can't be solved easily. We wouldnt go to a prison to learn about typical human society, so why would we try to learn about animals by observing them in captivity? Today, on the day of Prada Group's annual meeting, actor and TV host Rosita Celentano teamed up with one of its shareholders, PETA US, to urge the brand to stop selling products made from the skins of exotic animals. Given that the mass destruction of wildlife habitats across the globe continues unabated and species such as elephants, big cats, birds, primates, rhinos, reptiles, and many others are at real risk of extinction, larger zoos have now stepped in with the hopes of stopping or at least. Not surprising, perhaps, considering the typical polar bear enclosure is one million times smaller than the area they would naturally roam.". Do you like what you are reading? Zoos offer them the unique experience of contemplating real animals. PETA isn't alone. In fact, alpacas and llamas tend to spit more in zoos, as they are irritated more frequently there compared to when they are left alone in nature. Zoos are the problem, not the solution to animal conservation Wrong! Regardless of the merits or ethics of zoos, one thing's for certain: they're going to be around for some years yet. Over the past 30 years, many established zoos have endeavored to improve the level of animal care and rehabilitate their image in the public eye. Withhold your money from these inhumane establishments that profit from exploiting animals. In conclusion, after all these aspects have been considered zoos should be banned. 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. Animals used in circuses may travel thousands of miles a year during extreme weather conditions. You may know all about what happens to water aboveground, but what do you know about groundwater? Zoos play an important economic role, especially in the less developed areas of the world, where they are an important income source for many communities. At the end of the day, zoos are businesses geared towards entertainment, not educational establishments. Animals in circuses are still deprived of their basic needs to exercise, roam, socialize, forage, and play. In addition, people dont need to travel to exotic places to see the animals, which is beneficial to the environment.