In the world there are about 1.3 million different species that scientists have named. Out of that 1.3 million there are about 50,000 species that are endangered or close to being endangered according to the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List. Lately, multiple zoos have been crucified for housing some of these animals. This problem has been arising for quite some time but no one seems to acknowledge it. The problem isn't with the zoos housing the animals it is that there are animals in the wild that are constantly being hunted. These animals need to be protected and saved from the different dangers they encounter. Zoos provide animals a safe place to live and they also help fund programs assembled to protect the animals in the zoo and in the wild. They are vital to the survival of many species and therefore should be preserved.
Zoos have been proven to be essential towards the safety and recovery of many animals rescued from the wild. All around the world there are zoos that house these different species in safe and natural-like environments, they are considered to be safe havens. For example, by being housed in zoos, "animals do not suffer from the stress of threats or being potentially hunted by their common predators" (Agnew 1). The animals are able to live in their habitat at the zoo sometimes along with other animals of their species. Each animal has a safe enclosure that suits them and their lifestyle. The enclosures are not only safe
One of the most fun, visually amazing functions to visit are zoo's. Growing up as a kid going to the zoo was so much fun and basically guaranteed a great day out. People have been complaining and questioning the role of zoo's for a long time now. Some claim that it actually kills the animals off faster. Others claim that zoo's actually help protect and preserve the lives of these animals. Only one can make a reasonable argument by studying sources, and finding out statistics. Based off of the articles, "The Stripes Will Survive", "The Zoos Go Wild", and "Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment", we can truly get in-depth analysis about the role zoo's play.
Zoos across the world claim to be safe, suitable homes that replicate habitats of animals that are usually found in the wild. However, there is no possible way for wild habitats to be replicated well enough for animals in captivity to thrive, animals are often separated and withheld from living as they would in the wild. Despite their argument of being educational for visitors, the only thing they are teaching the public is that it is ok to take animals out of the wild and lock them up for their own enjoyment. Regardless of these claims, zoos are inhumane.
To begin with, zoos are the safest place for the poor creatures as they are taken care well and their holistic needs are met at the time of necessity. For example, animals can be treated well in case of medical needs and they will enjoy not only freedom of life but also quality of life by experiencing all the facilities. In this way , zoos
There have been many discussions about the welfare of animals since the first zoos were created. Some people agree that animals should be kept in zoo’s, they argue that it benefits the animals because their every need is catered to. However, in some zoo’s they are treated the exact opposite of being catered to. Sometimes the animals are also deprived of a natural environment that the zoo’s fail to recreate. However, zoo’s can be helpful educationally to kids. It gives them a close up on the beauty of the animals, but it comes at the animals expense.
Zoos are first and foremost for people not animals. Zoos exist to serve the human gaze though they portray themselves as the arks of the animal kingdom, safeguarding the future of biodiversity. And it is true that many zoos do have conservation, breeding, and reintroduction programs, which are certainly noble projects. But what about the rest of the animals that are not endangered? At the National Zoo, only one in five of the animals
People think that animals want to be in zoos, but they really do not. In some zoos the owners or zookeepers see how the environment is making the animals feel bad or good and they try to change it by giving the animals a similar habitat to where they came from. All three stories “The Stripes Will Survive”, “The Zoos Go Wild”, and “Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment” deal with protecting animals but they all do so in different ways.
“Before the early twentieth century, zoos would separate humans from the animals by using a series of moats. In the early 1900s, however, zoos “began displaying animals in realistic exhibits that mimicked actual habitats” (Gioielli, 2016, p. 1). Coupled with the more natural habitat is advancing care for the animals in captivity. More hospitals are being built for animals and better medicine is being created constantly. As a result of healthier and happier animals in increased popularity of animals in captivity. According to Carey (2016), “More than 10,000 zoos are now in operation worldwide . . . the central missions of zoos [are] not only to serve as attractions for recreation and amusement, but also to educate people and promote conservation . . .” (p. 2). Most people do not go to see animals in captivity for the sole purpose of entertainment, they also go to learn about the animals themselves. Both children and adults can learn about how to help protect endangered animals and their habitats. As a result, zoos and aquariums are continually gaining popularity. According to Gazert (2017), “Zoos and aquariums draw 181 million visitors per year in the United States--that’s over half the country’s population, and more visitors than the annual attendance of the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB games combined” (p. 2). Unfortunately, some zoos and aquariums have been known to abuse their animals. While this is not true of all zoos, but the reports of abuse have increased leading to more controversy. Because of this the idea of keeping animals in captive is harder to accept. Still, the sad truth is that animals may have to be in captivity in order to save their species. “A recent report from the World Wildlife Fund warned that without swift and substantial human intervention, over two-thirds of the world’s wildlife could be gone by the end of the decade” (Ganzert, 2017, p. 1). Predictions
Zoos across the world claim to be safe, suitable homes that replicate habitats of animals that are usually found in the wild. However, there is no possible way for wild habitats to be replicated well enough for animals in captivity to thrive, animals are often separated and withheld from living as they would in the wild. Despite their argument of being educational for visitors, the only thing they are teaching the public is that it is ok to take animals out of the wild and lock them up for their own enjoyment. Regardless of these claims, zoos are inhumane.
Some people may argue that zoos are good for sick or injured animals; however, while they can help nurture babies and bring sick creatures back to health, they are not safe for healthy animals. Dr. Lesley Dickey estimates that every year about 3,000 to 5,000 animals are ‘management euthanized’ in European zoos (Barnes). This means that zoos put down animals if there is not enough space for them. This is called zoo culling. Some zoos even dissect animals in front of guests that they killed. Zoos are for caring for animals, there is no place for cruelty. Although most zoos don’t kill surplus animals, that doesn’t make them innocent. Some animals don’t live as long in zoos as they do in the wild. The median life span in European zoos for African
’’According to CNN, animal advocacy group Born Free reports that there have been 256 injuries in zoos due to animal attacks over the past 26 years, resulting in 33 deaths.’’ Every single year there are many animals killed or injured in zoo’s. There are numerous zoo’s placed all over the United States. The zoo’s keep the animals trapped in a fenced in enclosure with little to no water source or spacious area. Numerous people disagree with the fact various breeds are mixed in the same enclosure. People believe that animals should be allowed to enjoy their own natural habitat and live with their families, and not trapped within enclosures.
Zoos have changed and found a balance between being an attraction and conservation park. Some people think zoos should protect animals to the best of their ability. For example, some zoos have upgraded animals’ living spaces so that they feel comfortable. Overall, the role of zoos is to protect animals by providing them with their basic needs, making sure they have a suitable place to live, and to save them from extinction!
Being placed in a zoo can dramatically help endangered animals receive the care that they need which may not be accessible in the wild. In William Dudley’s Animal Rights, author John Ironmonger was quoted as saying, “Certainly, zoo animals do tend to live longer lives, to feed better, and to suffer from fewer parasites or diseases. They live without fear of predation; they live without famine” (72-73). His quote supports the argument that endangered animals are provided for in captivity. In the wild, animals under threat of extinction fear starvation, poachers, disease, and predators. Placing these animals in zoos can give them rehabilitation and a perseverance of their lives. Another author, Kevin Hile, supports the claim that endangered animals are preserved in zoos by discussing the evolution of zoos. When zoos first started, they were merely used to bring in revenue. Now, zoos play a role in helping save endangered animals from extinction (Hile 133). Zoos
Have you ever thought about animals? More specifically, how many species have become extinct? Studies from a website called “Huffpost” show that about 150-200 species go extinct every day! Fortunately, zoos are always serving our animals with protection. 3 sources that show this are, “The Stripes Will Survive,” is a text about a zoo helping protect Siberian tigers, “The Zoos Go Wild,” which is a text about protecting a gorilla and giving him a nice home and shelter, and “Behind the Scenes with the National Zoo’s Lion Cubs,” is a video that describes the National Zoo’s effort to protect a lion pride.
Some animal species in the world are endangered, such as the California condor. Endangerment means the amount of living organisms of this species is far below average and are in the threat of extinction. Extinction means that the whole species has died out. Statistics show that 21% of earth's mammal species are endangered and that 33% of all amphibian species are endangered. When it comes to this topic, zoos are major positives. Zoos will take in an animal, help it reproduce and survive, then release it back into the wild. This allows for less animals to become extinct. Humans have already caused most of their habitat loss and deaths; therefore, the zoos are there to provide them a way to rebuild and restart. To wrap this up, zoos provide a large sum of support to animals that are going extinct and will certainly
Some people agree that animals should be kept in the zoo. They said it would be safer for the animals and they won’t be extinct. The amount of possibilities of them dying, shot by hunters or any other reason, still higher than the chances of their survival. Food and shelter are provided, medicine, and their breeding is being controlled. And many of the wild animals in zoos are ones that are on the endangered list as their amounts are rapidly diminishing. Letting them loose and returning them to the wild is not necessarily a safe option. (Mylot, 2007) In fact, zoo can be one of the educational studies for children and people who are interested with animals. Zoo is the only place that we can have an opportunity to see animal’s life really close and sometimes we can touch them. Zoos also provide lots of information about certain animals, children can have chance to get out of the classroom and learn so they can see natural beauty from different species of animals. Even children can see them from discovery channel but that’s really different if you see animal in real world, for an example, if you see crocodile, snake or shark in the movie, maybe you won’t afraid than you see the real one. According to Tudge, (1992, p.56) Zoos are the place where people can study animals and their habitat, even scientist don’t need to go