Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages where they cannot roam freely or express natural behaviors. As we can see from the previous discussion, zoos are a rather controversial topic. The San Diego Zoo offers an annual Gala fundraiser were tickets begin at $450 each, while preferred seating options are priced at $900. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. 2. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. Most people working in zoos are true animal lovers. 5. Animals in captivity often develop dangerous and destructive habits due to the stress of living in such restricted spaces. In fact, many people who live in big cities often lost their connection to nature. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. Visiting the zoo requires people to have respect for the fences, borders, and safety enclosures that separate the animals from their trainers, keepers, and families. However, many people claim that taxpayers money that is spent on zoos could be much better spent on other important infrastructure projects. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-4','ezslot_23',198,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-4-0'); In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. WebThe question whether animals should be kept in captivity or not is debated on many platforms and forums. Another 23 jobs were supported for every $1 million that zoos spent on construction projects. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. WebReasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Therefore, zoos should be banned because they are very cruel to animals. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. This is quite logical since every living organism needs suitable living conditions to feel good and to increase its population in the long run. If you feel this user's conduct is unappropriate, please report this comment and our moderaters will review its content and deal with this matter as soon as possible. Zoos are also quite popular in many countries all over the world. Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. Moreover, these smaller, unregulated organizations sometimes possess animals procured through illegal trafficking channels, a serious global problem. Do the cons of zoos outweight their benefits? 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 was only then that a transition was made from royal menageries, designed to entertain the elite, to public zoological gardens aiming to educate the wider population. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos Thus, if you are an animal lover and want to see as many animals as possible in a rather short period of time, chances are that zoos will be quite helpful for you. 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. 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. 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. The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem cant be solved easily. Zoos can also be a great destination for field trips. You can find animal treatment teams including specialists, pathologies, and trainers to ensure that every care plan is followed to the letter. By Scott Woodsidecategories: Environment & Nature October 28, 2022, 12:00 PM. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. To push conservation issues, many large zoos stopped having animals perform tricks for visitors. They also aim toteach visitors the importance of animal conservation and mindfulness of the ecosystem as a whole. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. The American Zoo Association even stated that conservation was its number one priority. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Your comment is being posted. We are having trouble saving your comment. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? It changes the lifespan of the animals held in captivity. Over 180 million people visit zoos in the United States each year. At least 37 countries have banned or restricted the sale of cosmetics with ingredients tested on animals, including nations in the European Union. On the other hand, organizations such as PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), Animal Aid and Born Free have initiated campaigns for the closure of zoos, arguing that most zoos deprive animals from their most basic needs and that animal abuse and suffering should not bea source of entertainment. 3. In general, if animals are kept under unnatural living conditions, their behavior will change in the long run. This disadvantage occurs because there is no longer a need to hunt for their survival. Every year, farm animal rescue takes place all across the United States. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. Then there are the circumstances where we try to profit off of their circumstances. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. 2021. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US had 230 accredited zoos and aquariums as of 2020. 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. Even the best zoos can have animals develop severe health problems. 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. Humans as part of zoological exhibitions did not fully stop until the early 20th century. 4. Live feeding, often touted as positive since it encourages normal predatory behaviors, has a notable downside. 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. If it contains abusive or inappropriate language its author will be penalized. 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. 7. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living Just look at a childs eyes at the zoo when he or she encounters a tiger or similarly majestic animal. [12], 228 accredited zoos published 5,175 peer-reviewed manuscripts between 1993 and 2013. 3. In fact, psyche plays a major role for the life expectancy of many animals and if those animals get tired of their lives in zoos, chances are that their overall life expectancy drops as well. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. Moreover, you can also educate children about the importance of behaving eco-friendly, which is crucial to assure a livable future for them and for the next generations.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_24',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Another nice thing about zoos is that they are often quite different. Thus, in order to protect those animals from mental issues as best as possible, zoos should try to improve the overall living conditions of those animals and provide them with sufficient space so that those animals can live as naturally as possible. While there are many advantages to zoos, there are also many problems related to those facilities. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. It places enormous pressure on the mental health of many species, causing them to live much shorter lives than they would in the wild. Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). Thus, it is crucial that we protect those animals from poachers in order to assure a viable future for them. 6. What Does Afforestation Mean and Why Is It Important? Equity, respect and transparency are at the heart of fair trades definition. In this article, the pros and cons of zoos are discussed.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4-0'); One important advantage of zoos is that they enable us to see many different animals in one place. Animals are not always caged in zoos. Should zoos exist? 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. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. Zoos educate the public about animals and conservation efforts. [21][22] [23], Przewalskis horses, the last wild horses, were declared extinct in the wild in the 1960s when about 12 lived in zoos. This is not only true for children, but also for many adults. There are now wild herds in Europe and Mongolia, closely monitored by scientists, which are thriving. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. 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. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? Even highly trained people miss an open lock or find themselves in dangerous circumstances with predatory animals, so there is always some level of risk involved. CON Zoos don't educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. The best natural habitat enclosures are a poor substitute for the real thing. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Extend the debate to other human-made animal habitats, such as safari parks and animal sanctuaries. In turn, chances may increase that we can protect many animal species from extinction. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. Kids 12 and up qualify for the adult rate. 4. 20, 2017, US Fish & Wildlife Service, California Condor Population Information, fws.gov, May 7, 2018, Jan Flemr, Long Way Home as Przewalskis Horses Fly to Mongolia, phys.org, July 19, 2018, Jane Palmer, The Worlds Last Truly Wild Horse, bbc.com, Nov. 11, 2015, Lori Marino, et al., Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors? The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. People wont protect what they dont love, and they cant love what they dont know. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. 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. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA, Natalie Leppard Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of zoos before we make up our minds. (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. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. This advantage comes at the expense of the animals which are forced to spend their lives in an enclosure. Your vote is anonymous. In fact, the overall setting and also the visual appearance greatly differs across zoos and in case you get bored by your favorite zoo, you may just try another zoo. 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. By having these animals in zoos, there is another layer of protection given to these hunted species so that their survival chances are greater. Now some would argue we do the same thing with animals or try to hold communities hostage because of the potential financial gains that a well-run zoo can provide. There are times when a zoo is absolutely necessary to the survival of the animal. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. 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. 1. 7. All rights reserved. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Our moderators will now review this comment and act accordingly. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. 4. ", ProCon.org. Ota Benga was part of an exhibit in the Bronx and in St. Louis, purchased by a Christian missionary who wanted to put African people into an exhibition. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. 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. 1. Managing Editor Despite their immense popularity, zoos have become increasingly controversial institutions. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. If you visit the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, then you can see a rare white alligator. Especially if you have children, it can be quite nice to go to the zoo and to see many different animals. Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter and Why? There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. 25, 2019, Shelby Isaacson, Mote Ranked No. Natural Habitat and Animal Rights 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. Another significant downside of zoos is that animals can often not be returned to the wild after they had been kept in captivity. Thus, going to the zoo can give you a great time and can be a nice way to unplug from your stressful daily life. Tags: Animals Conservation Guide Must reads, Subscribe to our newsletter Informative, free, inspiring, Environmental Organizations: 8 NGOs and Non-Profits Worth Supporting, Fair Trade vs. Fairtrade: Why Its Not the Same Thing, The 10 Coolest Farm Animal Rescue Sites in the US, 6 Solutions to Deforestation and What You Can Do, Factory Farming: A Look at This Problematic System, How to Geocache: A Beginners 7-Step Guide, Practice Radical Self Acceptance in 4 Steps, 7 Flowers to Plant in March & Other Spring Gardening Ideas, Does Almond Milk Go Bad? Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. Most of us referred to these parks as a zoo. Other great apes have similar health problems in captivity. chose to work in zoos because they like animals, and wanted to work closely with them and help them thrive. 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. 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. Analyze Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation from conservation scientist James Borrell. In fact, especially in regions with weak economies, people often rely on income from zoos to make a living. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-banner-1','ezslot_16',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-banner-1-0');Zoos can also play a crucial role to protect many animals from endangerment or even from extinction. 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. A zoological garden, which is sometimes referred to as an animal park or a menagerie, is a facility which houses animals within an enclosure and displays them to the public in a manner that is safe for everyone involved. All the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned I'm no big animal-rights campaigner, but I do trust facts delivered by experts, and the facts tell me that zoos are just a really terrible idea. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. The overall goal always remains the same; to ensure the best possible care for every animal in care. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. Zoos are ultimately a business that needs to make money. WebIn conclusion, zoos should be abolished because they are unethical, cause animal suffering, and are unnecessary in today's society. [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 are detrimental to animals' physical health. If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. 916 Words4 Pages. Some establishments have worked hard to adapt their enclosures to better suit the needs of the animals they hold. Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs.