The Ethical Use Of Animals In Captivity

Zoos, rehabilitation institutions, and many other environmental centers provide opportunities for the public to witness animals that cannot be seen on a daily basis. Whether to keep animals in captivity is morally hard to decide, especially for me personally. In the essay, “Against Zoos,” by Dale Jamieson, he writes about the positives zoos provide, and then reiterates them; making positives turn into negatives. Jamieson makes statements about humans being superior over animals, and how we should not be thinking that we are better. We tend to take a lead role over other species, because of our “higher intelligence.” That should not mean that we treat wildlife as if they are something lower than us. In more ways than one, we as humans are

Zoos are an enclosure that traps the animal. There are people out there who care about the animals in captivity. Craig Brokenshaw, an Australian surfer dedicated to saving the dolphins in captivity said, “I felt quite sad, quite disgusted. It looked like they weren’t happy at all. They just looked kind of lifeless and disinterested,” Zoos are businesses that surround breeding and buying wild animals. Around 10,000 zoos worldwide hold at least 3,000 animals each. All of these animals are in captivity when they should really be in their natural habitat, whether it’s the grasslands or the jungle. That means that millions of animals are locked in and suffering greatly. Zoos are an insalubrious

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.

"Zoos have improved a lot in the last 4,000 years. These days, most zoos create friendlier environments for animals. ... Now, however, they get their animals through captive breeding programs and other zoos." This is an understandable concern, however, but this is not the case. Animals are not meant to be kept in captivity for human entertainment, animals are meant to be wild, the artificial surroundings in zoos an cause Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

First not all animals are treated equally in every zoo. But most importantly, they will always be going under this treatment until everyone is aware of the kind of care these animals are going through behind those cage doors. Or unless the authorities get more strict on how the zoos need to care and handle those animals, then maybe there could be a change in the lives of the animals. With research anyone can learn and educate themselves of what they can do to try to help those animals in

Zoos may seem fun to visit and exciting to see the animals; but what you don’t see is the suffering and depression that lies in these helpless creatures. There are many arguments whether or not zoos are good or bad, and if they should be removed or kept. Several think that zoos should be abolished or at least very much improved, due to animal cruelty. While, others want zoos to stay because it is beneficial for the animals and people. I strongly believe that zoos aren’t good for both the public and animals for numerous reasons.

Countless land and aquatic animals are held captive in zoos. However, are zoos really conserving wildlife like they say, by putting animals on display? Negative. Zoos are unsuitable environments for wild animals, and therefore should be eradicated. Zoos should cease to exist for three main reasons: animals deserve just as much freedom and happiness as humans, enclosing them in confined habitats harms them, and imprisoning them infuriates them.

There have been a lot of problems with animals in zoos. It has gotten to the point where zoos are hated and looked upon as a places of animal torture. Are zoos really that bad? Turns out, they are. They do not have enough space, they do not allow the animals to communicate with each other, and they sell the animals to cruel circuses.

“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.

Imagine one minute running freely on the vast green terrain surrounding you, then the next locked up in a cold, hard, cage. It sounds horrible, right? Who would want to be locked up with minimal area to stretch your legs, and have people staring at you constantly? I for one, would hate that. I imagine that most animals locked up would share the same feelings. I personally, am against animals being caged. They do not deserve that kind of lifestyle and should not have to live with it just because humans pay money to see it. Animals are suffering greatly from being locked away. When an animal is bought, traded or given to a zoo, the animals rights are stripped away from them.

It’s human nature to have compassion towards animals and an instinct to react if they are abused or mistreated. This human nature is the foundation to the controversial topic of whether zoos are ethical to have. With this issue, there are various reasons that promote the importance of zoos along with reasons to why they can be considered immoral. Both sides are essentially equal and fighting for the same result, the well-being of the animal both physically and mentally. It’s difficult to determine which side is right, but I believe that zoos are beneficial to not only humans but the animals as well.

Zoos are terrible places for animals that do not belong in cages. Zoos include roadside zoos, petting zoos, and smaller animal exhibits. The animals they have are meant to be out in the wild not locked up in cages. The areas are not big enough for them to be animals. They are held in captivity with nowhere to go because if they try to break out, they are going to get shot down. Animals are not meant for entertainment. If you want to see an animal there are many websites with live cameras in order to see it. Also, if you want to see animals the animals should have a free range area and the people ride around in cars to look. The people should take the chances of getting beaten, eaten, trampled, etc. Zoos make money off poor animals who have no choice

“Captive animals are abused and exploited in a variety of settings, including research and product testing, the entertainment industry, fur farms, and the exotic ‘pet’ trade” (Born Free USA). Zoos are holding animals all around the world captive. Zoos are not letting them live in their natural habitats and roam free. Captive animals are are not healthy and it's not good for the environment. For example bornfreeusa.org states “Every year, captive exotic animals are involved in incidents in which humans are injured or even killed.” Animal captivity should not be allowed. Captivity affects animals mental health, they can’t get enough exercise and food that they normally get, additionally, these animals that are in captivity can get many diseases and could die.

Imagine walking through the zoo as a child, thinking how awesome it is to see all of those big interesting animals you would never get to encounter in the wild. Now think of walking through the zoo when you are older seeing these same animals in a very different light. Instead of seeing animals happily living their lives you see animals wandering aimlessly around their small enclosures looking bored to tears and depressed. Is it fair that we keep these animals cooped up specifically for our own entertainment? What right do we have to capture, contain, and breed these precious animals as we please? Why should we get to control their lives when they could obviously be living a better life elsewhere? Often these questions are meet with responses of conservation and education, but in reality those defenses have little backing. No animal should be forced to live in captivity for its whole life, which is why zoos should be banned since they are truly unjust to the animals living in them.