Why Should Animals Be Caged Out?

Captivity against law unsigned documents. Abuse, infliction, and affliction. What are you gonna do about it? For thousands of years, we have used predators to hunt for us and their reward being stuck in cages and prostitution. They come back in free will or in fear. Ever since the beginning of time, we have been trying to control these wild beasts. What happens when they're not there to finish the life cycle? EXTINCTION. We have lost 99% of our animal species, most of this loss is from billions of people keeping animals in captivity.

There are numerous different types of animals in the world. Coming from amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds. All of these animals are born to run free and hunt without relying on a human. Sadly, things aren’t the way it’s supposed to be. There are other animals who are taken away from their home and are locked up in cramped spaces; in other words, the zoo. The zoo may seem like an enjoyable activity for children, but many do not know the half of what goes on behind the glass window. Animals wish they can be free and end the nightmare of being captive. Even though both animals that lie in the wild and animal captivity are one, in the group of animals, there are many differences between them.

Imagine being a zoo animal. Wouldn’t the animal want to be free, and not in captivity? There should not be zoos. From outside of a cage it is barely noticeable, but what is happening to the zoo animals is not right. There should not be zoos because animals cannot exercise which leads to health issues, they have little to no space which causes depression, and there are other places that help animals in a safer and more productive way. The history of zoos is that animals would be in tin cages, now, they live in fake terrain, so none of these habitats are appropriate for animals. Zoos say that they are helping endangered animals, but really they are killing them.

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).

As a child, many people would often go to the zoo or to the circus and see animals in real life. In circuses, animals would often perform tricks and stunts, dazzling the audience. In the zoo, people would often see animals in their native habitat, or what looks like it. Children were mainly amazed with the animals and were always exited to go see the animals. As the years go by, they start to realize that some of the animals are suffering and are being mistreated, especially in circuses. They see that the animals in zoos are depressed and lonely and the animals in the circuses are chained up. What is worse is that animals in laboratories are often treated very poorly; more poorly than what Americans treat prisoners and refugees. There have been many debates on whether animals should be held in captivity. Some groups believe that animals should not be held in captivity because they have the same capacities as humans. They believe that animals can feel emotion and have a sense of morality. Animals in captivity are deprived of their natural habitat and their instincts. Animals raised in captivity tend to rely more on humans compared to animals raised in the wild. They also believe zookeepers and trainers are putting themselves at risk when taking care of the animals. There have been many incidents including the death of trainers by animals, one highlighted by the movie “Blackfish” by director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. There are others who believe that putting animals in captivity is beneficial for not only the animal, but for humans as well. Humans get more jobs if more animals are put into captivity because there is an increase in the amount of people needed. Another benefit of keeping animals in captivity is that it could help save a species who is endangered and close to going extinct. Another benefit is that it helps increase the amount of food available because some animals are raised for food. Putting animals in captivity wrong unless they are being used for the animal’s benefits.

"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

“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

By placing these animals in unsuitable environments, they are experiencing mental and physical abuse. Moreover, their behaviors are being reformed in order to even be able to survive in such terrible conditions, therefore, altering future generations of these animals. So, not only are zoos changing these animals to conform to their artificial surroundings, but they are also disturbing the natural instincts of the species in order to survive in captivity. As mentioned by the Humane Society of the United States, “Inhumane conditions teach children the wrong message, seeming to condone indifference. Zoos should educate about how animals live in the wild, and help preserve them there.” (The Humane Society of the United States 8). While zoos often try and replicate the natural habitats that these animals live in, they cannot be successfully duplicated, therefore wrongly educating children

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.

Freedom is everything to people, and animals alike. But animals in captivity are stripped from this. In SeaWorld and circuses, the animals are living their lives entertaining people and living their lives in cages or small enclosed pens. By keeping animals to remain in captivity people are taking away their freedom, forcing them to be used for entertainment, and not providing animals with the proper care.

Animal captivity has been an ongoing debate for over 60 years. There should be no question about whether animal captivity is wrong. “Hundreds of thousands of wild animals across the world are snatched from natural habitats, forced into captivity and subjected to abuse, both mentally and physically, in the name of entertainment and profit.” (World Animal Protection 1) Places such as the circus use abusive training methods such as, hooks, chains, whips, electric rods, and blunt instruments. (Born Free USA 1) Animals deserve to live freely in the wild. Their freedom is taken away the moment they are put in a cage. When animals are brought into

Animals raised in captivity are the most unfortunate of all. They go through grave conditions with no chance of survival. Over 3000 animals die per second due to slaughter. Over 56 billion die because of slaughter per year (www.animalequality.net/food). The consternation behind the walls of slaughterhouses will leave you dumbfounded. The way animals are treated is atrocious. Animals raised in captivity are treated bestially from the time their born to the time they die.

Animals that are confined to zoos are prisoners. They are ripped of their families, and robbed of their happiness and freedom. Zoos cannot provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. However, Animals should never be held in captivity unless they are candidates for breeding programs or rehabilitation. It is inhumane for us to keep large mammals like elephants, tigers or gorillas in zoos or theme parks. These are highly intelligent animals with complex social constructs that scientists have studied for decades and still have yet to fully understand. Captive wild animals should not be used for entertainment. Unfortunately, using animals in a theatrical manner is what brings in the crowds and most importantly, the profits. While some theme parks may try to incorporate education into the act in order to justify running these shows, using these majestic animals for laughs and gasps is disrespectful and abusive. Children should learn to appreciate how these animals behave in the wild as opposed to how they can do tricks for rewards.

The captivity of wild animals has been a highly debated topic for many years. Zoos and aquariums are huge attractions and can be found all over the world. Movies such as Black Fish and Unlocking the Cage showcase some of the troubling behaviors animals in captivity portray. Advocates for animal rights can use these movies to push their agenda and people who oppose these films say they are forms of propaganda. The fact of the matter is that it does not matter what side of the argument that you are on it cannot be denied that these moves spark mass discussion. The question can be asked are animals places on this earth for our amusement and entertainment or they here that we may cohabit with all aspects of life. Science has proven that some animals have shown signs of distress while being in captivity.

Zoos have been around for thousands of years holding thousands of different species for humans to marvel at. The first recorded instance of animals in captivity was in fifteen hundred B.C. in egypt where animals from all over Africa were kept. Zoos have been used as ways for people to view animals they would most likely never have a chance to see in the wild. This is why zoos have been so popular because everyday people have the opportunity to see animals that they would have never seen before. Unfortunately animals living in zoos have no chance of living in their natural habitat. They will spend their entire lives living in a enclosement being marveled at by humans. Animals should not be kept in captivity because no living creature should