chose to work in zoos because they like animals, and wanted to work closely with them and help them thrive. should zoos 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos zoos should be banned 5. WebIn conclusion, zoos should be abolished because they are unethical, cause animal suffering, and are unnecessary in today's society. What Do Wasps Do for the Environment? Zoos Animals are not always caged in zoos. This is due to the unnatural living conditions in zoos and also due to the fact that animals often get tired of their lives in zoos. [24] [25], A review published in Animal Studies Repository concluded, to date there is no compelling or even particularly suggestive evidence for the claim that zoos and aquariums promote attitude change, education, and interest in conservation in visitors. Even a study widely cited to justify the argument that zoos educate the public stated, there was no overall statistically significant change in understanding [of ecological concepts] seen because visitors know a lot about ecology before going to the zoo. [30], Animal behaviorists often see zoo animals suffering from problems not seen in the wild, such as clinical depression in clouded leopards and gibbons, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in brown bears, and anxiety in giraffes. What other conservation efforts are important to saving wildlife? 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. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. 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. Especially if you have children, it can be quite nice to go to the zoo and to see many different animals. Natural Habitat and Animal Rights Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. 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. In fact, many people only realize how important it really is to behave environmentally-friendly once they see all those fascinating animals. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. 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. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. 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. Most zoos struggle to survive, which means the animals kept in those facilities are also at risk. Why Zoos Should Not Be Banned 1. Furthermore, zoos often harbor non-native species unacclimatized to the local environment. Animal cruelty or protection? 4. Hence, it is quite likely that animals in zoos will develop changes in behavior over time and some of those animals may also become quite unpredictable and dangerous for animal attendants in zoos. 2. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. That problem will not go away no matter how many generations remain in captivity. Should we boycott or ban zoos? Should Zoos be Banned if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_15',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Zoos not only give us the opportunity to see many different animals, they are also important from an educational perspective. 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. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. This is not only true for children, but also for many adults. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. [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. Should zoos be banned pros and cons 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. These efforts have helped to reduce the risks of premature death in many species as well. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. In fact, especially in regions with weak economies, people often rely on income from zoos to make a living. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living Although there are some around the world which continue to place their primary emphasis on teaching, research, and saving endangered species, more facilities are focused on the entertainment experience instead. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. A Critical Evaluation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Study, animalstudiesrepoistory.org, 2010, John H. Falk, et al., Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit to a Zoo or Aquarium, docplayer.net, 2007, Romesh Ranganathan, Zoos Are Prisons for Animals No One Needs to See a Depressed Penguin in the Flesh, theguardian.com, Mar. In fact, many animals in the wild lose their lives every year due to poaching since people want to sell the horns or other valuable parts of those animals for quite high prices. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. Join with confidence, netivist is completely advertisement free. This image was created for netivist.org. [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. Do they really help preserve endangered species or it is more a business and a cruel source of entertainment? These are the most common arguments in favor and against zoos. The animals are given special activities and nutrition that works with their instincts as well to give them the most natural existence possible. Should Zoos Be Banned WebThe question whether animals should be kept in captivity or not is debated on many platforms and forums. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? The contemporary debate about zoos tends to focus on animal welfare on both sides, whether zoos protect animals or imprison them. WebZoos may also be problematic from an ethical perspective Lack of regulation of zoos in many countries Often not possible to return animals to the wild Some zoos are quite crowded Opponents claim that zoos are just for human amusement Shorter life expectancy of animals in zoos Some wild animals have to be caught to bring them to the zoo This could mean that they ship animals from one zoo to another in case it makes sense. Ever since there has been an increasing public concern about animal welfare in zoos. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. In turn, chances may increase that we can protect many animal species from extinction. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. We will help you do it! Please try again. Already have an account on netivist? The Chester and Whipsnade zoological parks where the first two non-urban zoos without cages and larger enclosures. You will also see the staff members from local zoos making presentations at local schools and businesses to raise awareness for what they do. 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. 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. Should zoos be banned In addition, visitors are allowed to get very close to them, which is notpermitted in larger, better-regulated establishments. 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. 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. 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. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. [3] [4]. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive.