The Importance Of Mistreatment And Abuse Of Zoos

As the animal rights movement has developed and grown substantially in recent years, there has been an increased focused on the welfare of captive animals. A popular institution that has received much attention for keeping animals captive is the zoo. Because of this focus, zoos have responded by publicizing their positive benefits for existence in order to justify keeping these animals on display. Since the term “zoo” can have a wide variety of meaning and characteristics, it is important to define what constitutes a zoo in this essay. Zoos are defined as a facility in which animals are confined within enclosures, displayed to the public, and

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 become a very visited place over a person’s lifetime, whether it be for an educational school field trip or for a day of fun. It’s a wonderful experience to be able to see animals up close in a controlled environment, keeping visitors safe from these animals, however do visitors think of what the animals are going through? Zoos are not providing enough space for captivated animals to live causing numerous problems not only involving the animals, but some visitors as well. Zoos should not be allowed to hold animals in captivity unless they significantly increase the size of each cage (change cage into something else).

Zoos present a certain blend of nature and culture. They have always provided a way to bring natural wildlife and urban Americans together as a means of entertainment. Yet, throughout the years the role of zoos have changed. Though once used for amusement, zoos are now being used for education on preservation and the welfare of endangered species. One may wonder where and how the idea of zoos started and just how they, and the environment around them, have changed throughout history.

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.

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

Most people go to zoos with the expectation of a happy family and enjoying a day staring at wild animals that we do not see very often except of a screen. They see zoos as a place to experience something different and to take their children to. However, few people know of the mistreatment and unfit conditions the animals are forced into. On the contrary to popular belief, there are many zoos that care so little for the health of the animals the zoos are actually the reason the animals become ill. For the truth is that animals in zoos are mistreated, neglected, and even abused because of the awful situations they are in. In this essay, then, we will go over the excruciating conditions and the abuse these animals face everyday of their lives

’’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.

180 million Americans visit zoos in the United States each year. However, an incident in 2016 at the Cincinnati Zoo, where a three year old boy fell into the exhibit of a 440 pound gorilla named Harambe, sparked a controversy in America. Americans have been questioning and debating whether these institutions are actually beneficial to the animals and if it’s really ethical to keep animals like Harambe in captivity. Not all zoos have the money to provide what wild animals need. Considering both the pros and cons of either sides of the issue, it is clear that zoos are detrimental to the animals for various reasons including unacceptable living environments, dangerous health concerns, as well as a huge ethical dilemma.

The topic of zoos and whether or not they’re humane have quickly become one of the biggest controversial topics in the past twenty years. There is not much of a ‘middle’ perspective in this debate, rather people tend to lie on two completely opposite ends of the spectrum when displaying their beliefs pertaining to the zoo debate. I chose to research this topic because though I have strong beliefs, I think that, on this matter specifically, people often jump to a certain side without any prior research or actual education on the subject. I think that it’s important to understand both sides of the argument of zoos before sustaining a side. Another reason why I chose this topic was to moreso educate myself and to make sure that the knowledge I

“In the wild, elephants walk up to 30 miles each day, bears are active for up to 18 hours a day exploring their home ranges for up to hundreds of miles, and tigers and lions love running and climbing and will roam many miles to hunt.” But not in zoos. When locked behind bars, animals live cramped, lonely lives. All the natural and important things animals do in the wild vanish. Birds lose the privilege of flying. Lions, usually living among large herds, are kept alone. Zoos have negative effects on animals and lead to suffering all over the world.

You look out into the crowd through the bars. Heaving, sniffing, and wondering why on earth you are in this mysterious place called a zoo. Animals around the country and around the world are trapped behind bars! How would you like every need being cared for by highly skilled professionals? Animals should be roughing it in the wild, where they belong. As a well-to-do topic of the hippies and high society, I who have been well informed by multiple experts around the world, will attempt to expose this ceaseless problem and propose a solution. Without a doubt, this self-centered world is full of “good samaritans” who in an attempt to manufacture splendid feelings , ignore all facts and statistics along the way. Of course, by these “good samaritans”, I mean the zookeepers and conversationalists who are trying to save these animals by keeping them

In the 18th century zoos started getting popular around the world. Zoos have a public stand of claiming to protect the animals and to educate the general public (Captive Animals, 2010). Contrary to people’s beliefs the costs of keeping animals in zoos far outweigh the benefits. However zoos believe that captivity is the only way that animals of all species will survive. What zoos don’t understand is that animals living conditions are very poor and that can take affect the animals health, behavior and mentality. “The animals were very crowded and there was no provision for individual feeding or sleeping areas. There was no environmental enrichment.” (Animal Facts, 2016, p.1). Animal activist around the world are still striving to get zoos to change their ways and allow the animals better care and more freedom.

“Zoos and aquariums are some of the best places for you and your family to get connected to nature and become engaged in conservation action” (“Society”). Zoos are essential in growing public awareness of nature. Recently, zoos have faced controversies from animal activists. Many believe animals are restrained of their rights. Furthermore, individuals believe it is wrong to display animals for entertainment which is unethical and unnecessary. However, such perception is only one of many aspects. On the contrary, zoos play an irreplaceable role in species conservation. Today, there are plethora of zoos around the globe. Zoos are beneficial to the world because they are critical to conservation.