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. Some elephant herds in the wild can grow to become 40 members strong. While there are many advantages to zoos, there are also many problems related to those facilities. Vote and join our debate (see below), Watch this video on "zoochosis" and the living conditions of animals in captivity. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. There are times when a zoo is absolutely necessary to the survival of the animal. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. There is no quick fix for the issues faced by zoos across the country and around the world. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Follow us on Instagram or Twitter! Environmental Conscience aims to provide unique high-quality content that is helpful to the reader. This disadvantage occurs because there is no longer a need to hunt for their survival. However, through poaching, many animals have become endangered and may even become extinct in the near future. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. 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. Every year, farm animal rescue takes place all across the United States. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. 1. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. 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. NOTE: Your account might be penalized should we not find any wrongdoing by this user. If they dont follow the rules, they essentially go out of business. Thus, especially in countries with lax regulations related to zoos, animals will often be treated quite poorly and in those countries, governments should introduce stricter regulations in order to protect these animals. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Well, we have always seen animals inside the jungle with joy and grow as big and furious wild animals most of the time. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. We might be talking about animals who may not have the same level of conscious thought as humans, but how we treat other species says more about who we are than it does about the animals we keep. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. List two to three ways. 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. It changes the lifespan of the animals held in captivity. Animals can become dependent on the facilities. People working at zoos paid little attention to the concept of wildlife conservation or expanding our scientific understanding of the animal kingdom. Did you know that one of the first zoological gardens in the Western Hemisphere featured humans instead of animals? ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 23, 2019), CBC, Trapped in a Human Zoo, cbc.ca, (accessed Apr. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. 916 Words4 Pages. Zoos can be construed as a. [37] [38] [39], Corroboree frogs, eastern bongos, regent honeyeaters, Panamanian golden frogs, Bellinger River snapping turtles, golden lion tamarins, and Amur leopards, among others, have been saved from extinction by zoos. Veterinary doctors, zoologist, voluntary staff, etc. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. If we have to live under unnatural conditions, we also develop mental issues and the same is true for animals of many sorts. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? Another disadvantage of zoos is that they often only offer quite poor living conditions for animals. 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. Thus, zoos are also often not able to increase the populations of animals in the wild. Although the initial methods of retrieval were brutal, sometimes killing the parents to take the young one back for study, the overall goal was to extend human knowledge. By Scott Woodsidecategories: Environment & Nature October 28, 2022, 12:00 PM. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. The overall goal always remains the same; to ensure the best possible care for every animal in care. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Zoos educate the public about animals and conservation efforts. If you wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo in 2019, then a one-day pass for an adult will set you back $50. Animal cruelty or protection? Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter and Why? Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Is keeping animals in captivity a good way to ensure their future? Deem, Zoos and Public Health: A Partnership on the One Health Frontier,One Health, Nov. 23, 2016, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, 10 Endangered Species Saved from Extinction by Zoos, medium.com, May 18, 2017, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, AZA and Animal Program Conservation Initiatives, aza.org (accessed Apr. 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. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. In my opinion, keeping animals in zoos can be justifiable as long as animals are kept under rather natural conditions and are not caged in pretty confined spaces. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. However, this also implies that each animal will only have a rather limited space to live.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_22',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); While many zoos aim to protect our endangered animal species from extinction, some zoos just exist for the sole purpose of profit maximization. WebShould Zoos Be Banned Essay. 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. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Climate Change and Wildlife, aza.org (accessed Apr. Animal products like elephant tusks or shark fins create a financial market where the health and welfare of a species is secondary to the profits which are possible. Zoos can also play a crucial role when it comes to research opportunities. Hence, also if you are on a budget and cannot afford to spend too much money on your leisure activities, zoos can provide you a great opportunity to spend your whole day without having to spend excessive amounts of money on it. There were only nine California condors in the wild in 1985. Web1030 Words5 Pages. Elephants become more aggressive when they are unable to travel and explore, which is caused zookeepers to euthanize almost 100 individuals in the past decade because of the danger they caused to others. 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. The Roman Empire was founded in 27 BC, and many Roman emperors kept private zoo collections. 2. 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. Often animals in such zoos are trained to perform tricks. Please note that all the information I provide on this website is to my best knowledge. Especially for those people, it can be quite important to go to the zoo and to see all those animals in order to remember how important protecting our environment really is. While zoos can provide some benefits for animals and the public, there are also valid concerns about the impact on animal welfare and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Activists are calling to ban zoos, and their voices are getting louder. 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. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. [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. 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. 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. Natural Habitat and Animal Rights Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. Do they really help preserve endangered species or it is more a business and a cruel source of entertainment? (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. 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. 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. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. Congrats you just reached a new level on Netivist. Proponents say zoos educate the public about animals. In fact, many people who live in big cities often lost their connection to nature. the initial reaction of most people is rejection. The most urgent issue is arguably the lack of uniform regulation. [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. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. 2. Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. Animals receive care from specialized trainers in zoos. When you keep the animal in a zoo instead, then they might have 1,500 square feet to roam, and sometimes even less. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. 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. A complete ban or more vigorous enforcement of standards would also protect these untrained workers from injury or death caused by unpredictable animal behavior. 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. At the time, these institutions accommodated nearly 800,000 animals and 6,000 species, with around 1,000 on the endangered species list. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. There are now wild herds in Europe and Mongolia, closely monitored by scientists, which are thriving. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. From this time on, I wanted to make a contribution to ensure a livable future for the next generations in every part of our beautiful planet. 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. A childs ticket is going to cost you $46. There are residency programs, veterinarian internships, and a variety of other educational opportunities which allow for a high level of treatment for the conditions which may development. [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. Manage Settings Thanks. 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. What Do Wasps Do for the Environment? Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 25, 2019, Shelby Isaacson, Mote Ranked No. 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. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. Just login. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. 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. It changes the behavior of the animal. As of Apr. Zoos receive regular inspections on multiple levels to ensure they are in compliance with care and safety regulations. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. How can we effectively protect the natural world? These roadside zoos are consistently reported for neglect and severe animal mistreatment. In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. This rising need and the requirements of scholarly research led to the founding of the first modern zoos. Zoos have more visitors than the combined attendance of the four major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL). The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. 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. 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. Other great apes have similar health problems in captivity. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. (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. Author Bio Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. Even injured animals can encounter this problem if their recovery time is lengthy. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regents Park, these zoos were intended for genteel amusement and edification, according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. CON Zoos don't educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. 3. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. The difference can be as much as 50% when comparing the lifespan of a wild species compared to one kept in a zoo. 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. 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. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains.