Jane Goodall, the famous British primatologist and one of the most important experts in chimpanzees in the world, has defended the role of zoos in helping us understand and preservethe life of wild animals (see video below). 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. 4. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Climate Change and Wildlife, aza.org (accessed Apr. Want to learn more about sustainability and the environment? You will find employer matching, tribute gifts, exhibition sponsorship, and financial wildlife adoptions are all part of their financial picture each year as well. 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. [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. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. The ethical dilemma around keeping wild animals in captivity is significant. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. 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. A childs ticket is going to cost you $46. Animals need to be kept in temperate zones which are similar to their natural habitat if they have any hope of being successful in the zoo. How to Tell and What to Do, The Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants and When to Use It, 7 Eco-Friendly Resorts for Sustainable Travelers, Where & How to Recycle Laptops and Why Its So Important, Everyday Palm Oil Products and Sustainable Alternatives, 6 Solutions to Deforestation and What You Can Do, The 15 Cutest Exotic Animals in the World. Proponents say zoos educate the public about animals. In fact, many people who live in big cities often lost their connection to nature. Not only can we benefit from the experience of learning about new animals and their habitats by visiting a zoo, but it also gives families an opportunity to spend time together while enjoying the outdoors. In fact, those people often work in demanding office jobs for long hours and dont spend time in nature anymore. [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. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. By keeping populations of animals and conducting wild repopulation, zoos can help preserve species in danger from climate change. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. The overall goal always remains the same; to ensure the best possible care for every animal in care. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. In fact, due to habitat destruction and many other environmental problems, many species have become endangered over the past decades. 2. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. When you keep the animal in a zoo instead, then they might have 1,500 square feet to roam, and sometimes even less. Since this method of feeding large predators generally requires smaller animals to be bred and purchased solely for this purpose, it necessitates the exploitation and frequently painful death of the smaller species. Being stuck in the same enclosure every day also disrupts the natural migratory patterns of the species, which can have a dramatic impact on their mental health. In fact, the USDA states that allowing visitors to handle animals like baby tigers or lions violates the Animal Welfare Act. Some animals travel more than 50 miles per day as they wander about their wild habitat. 916 Words4 Pages. 4, 2018, Zoo Atlanta, Representative Research, zooatlanta.org (accessed May 8, 2019), Bronx Zoo, Bridging the Gap, bronxzoo.com (accessed May 8, 2019), Emma Marris, "Modern Zoos Are Not Worth the Moral Cost,: nytimes.com, June 11, 2021, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums," aza.org, Apr. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. To push conservation issues, many large zoos stopped having animals perform tricks for visitors. 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. The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem cant be solved easily. [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. Accessed February 21, 2023. https://www.procon.org/headlines/zoos-top-3-pros-and-cons/, Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation, National Geographic, Zoo, nationalgeographic.org (accessed May 8, 2019), Schnbrunn Palace, Zoo, schoenbrunn.at (accessed Apr. NOTE: Your account might be penalized should we not find any wrongdoing by this user. This will allow us to keep netivist alive and available to
At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. We will help you do it! As a result of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which exposed the psychological damage done to orcas by SeaWorld, California outlawed captive orca breeding. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Vote and explain your view on whether zoos are necessary or should be banned. 5, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, aza.org, Apr. 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. Another significant upside of zoos is that they can protect animals from poaching. If you wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo in 2019, then a one-day pass for an adult will set you back $50. Natural Habitat and Animal Rights One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. This image was created for netivist.org. 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, 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. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. 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. A report out of George Mason University found that zoos associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums employed almost 40,000 people. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Thus, zoos can also be quite important to raise awareness of our global environmental problems in order to protect our animals as best as possible. Kids 12 and up qualify for the adult rate. Another issue with zoos is that there is often also only insufficient regulation of zoos in many countries of our planet. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 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. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. 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. You can find animal treatment teams including specialists, pathologies, and trainers to ensure that every care plan is followed to the letter. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. This might take a few seconds, please wait. About 15 out of the 5 million animals currently alive are believed to have this rare condition that changes the color of their skin. 3. Zoos don't educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. The contemporary debate about zoos tends to focus on animal welfare on both sides, whether zoos protect animals or imprison them. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. 3. There are additional pros and cons of zoos that are essential to consider as well. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. 6. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-2','ezslot_21',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-2-0');In fact, some zoos offer a home for some quite exotic species that are barely existent in the wild anymore. Humans as part of zoological exhibitions did not fully stop until the early 20th century. 2. Just login. Over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year in the United States,and 25 million in the United Kingdom. 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. Przewalskis horse is a success story for zoos because this species was believed to be extinct in the wild. 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. Animals are not always caged in zoos. 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. In fact, many people only realize how important it really is to behave environmentally-friendly once they see all those fascinating animals. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Analyze Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation from conservation scientist James Borrell. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Another pro of zoos is their role in animal reproduction. Should zoos be banned facts. In the late 20th century, the narrative changed again to the conservation of animals to stave off extinction. "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. When we look at zoo management, it is not unusual to take calves away from their mothers before they fully mature simply because there is a new marketing opportunity available somewhere else. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. While zoos spend millions on keeping animals confined, natural habitats are destroyed and animals are killed, as theres insufficient funding for their protection. For example, the veterinary staff at the Bronx Zoo in New York alerted health officials of the presence of West Nile Virus. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? Most zoos use veterinarians and work with professionals from degree programs. 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. There are thousands of them around the world, with every continent except Antarctica hosting at least one. 6. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? An increasing number of animal rights advocates and animal protection organizations are questioning the role of zoos in modern societies. WebReasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals. Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. These efforts have created a significant reduction in the number of attacks and accidents that occur. 4. [34], About 24% of captive orcas have major to extreme tooth wear and 60% had tooth fractures as a result of stress-induced teeth grinding. In fact, many zoos are rather free regarding how they want to treat their animals and in some countries, animals are even just considered as property instead of living organisms that need proper regulatory protection. In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. 3. The difference can be as much as 50% when comparing the lifespan of a wild species compared to one kept in a zoo. The Chester and Whipsnade zoological parks where the first two non-urban zoos without cages and larger enclosures. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. Consequently, zoos may not protect our animal species from extinction at all, especially if those animals are kept under rather poor conditions and are therefore not willing to reproduce in a sufficient manner. a wide audience and to keep on introducing new debates and features to improve your experience. 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. 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. 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 also collect exotic pets from people who want to get rid of them, which gives the pets home while generating revenue for the zoos. Especially in poor developing countries, many regions rely on zoos to make additional income in order to improve the living conditions of the general public. Share it! Smaller zoos dont always have the money to hire well-trained zoological staff or expand their breeding programs and facilities to maintain the ethos of conservation. 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. Putting aside these opposing views, it remains a sad reality that the welfare of zoo animals varies widely depending on where you are. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Please try again. While there are many important advantages of zoos, the presence of zoos also implies some problems. 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. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 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. [3] [4]. Another significant downside of zoos is that animals can often not be returned to the wild after they had been kept in captivity. Another disadvantage of zoos is that they often only offer quite poor living conditions for animals. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. Learn about the pros and cons of zoos and join our debate and poll: Should there be zoos? 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. 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. Abnormal animal behavior also puts zoo workers at greater risk for injury and death. Web1030 Words5 Pages. [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. Zoos can be construed as a. No matter how closely programs like Planet Earth depict animals, nothing will match the bond of seeing them in real life. Moreover, these smaller, unregulated organizations sometimes possess animals procured through illegal trafficking channels, a serious global problem. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Proponents say zoos educate the public about animals. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. 7, 2019), NBA, NBA Breaks All-Time Attendance Record for Fourth Straight Year, nba.com, Apr. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. (Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / aknourkova) Pros: When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoos began to engage in conservation programs. When an incident causes an individual to fall into the enclosure of a wild animal, the facility will usually save the person by killing the animal. Zoos can also play a crucial role when it comes to research opportunities. The Toledo Zoo ran a psychiatric program in which a gorilla with premenstrual depression was prescribed Prozac. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? [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. My kids are obsessed with dinosaurs that no longer exist, and Skylanders, which have never existed. [28], 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. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. What Does Afforestation Mean and Why Is It Important? See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? The Red Panda can be found in St. Louis, and there are fewer than 10,000 of them in the world today.