Zoos : The World 's Fifth Mass Extinction Of Animal Species

To answer this complex question, philosophy professor Bryan Norton poses some additional concerns relevant to this issue. He notes that if in fact keeping these animals in captivity is ethical, then we must also discuss what specifically humans want to conserve (Norton 15). Is it limited just to animal species, or can it extend to populations, ecosystems, and natural processes? If we simply identify wild animals, then we must ask ourselves if we are preserving a wild species if the animals themselves are forced to spend their lives in captivity? He mentions a common analogy used among zoo professionals who refer themselves to a modern day Noah’s ark, preserving each species by removing individuals for conservation. If zoos represent a sanctuary from extinction, then we must also address if there will ever be a natural habitat to reintroduce the animals into, or if they be forced to remain on the zoos “Ark” indefinitely (Norton 16). Though the work of various ethical scholars and philosophers may not be able to provide a concrete answer to all of the respective questions, I will discuss the concept of reintroduction when analyzing the third argument of this essay.

SSP programs focus on animals that are in danger of extinction in the wild. SSP(s) are instilled when zoo conservationists believe captive breeding programs may be their only chance to survive.

Animals are deprived of their natural habitat when transferred from the wild open space of the wild only to be fenced inside a limited habitat. Peta.org explains “Elephants typically walk up to 30 miles in just one day, but Lucy, the lone elephant at the Edmonton Zoo, is locked inside a barn… spends most of her time indoors…”. This doesn’t only apply to elephants, but to many other animals. Preventing them from thriving, because of the limited space provided per animal. Additionally, this leads to health problems because of the restricted amount of movement, health problems like arthritis. However zoos are not only causing physical harm, but mentally making animals sick causing many cases of depression. Trapping animals in cages stressed them out and can make them unhappy taking matters into their own hands trying to kill themselves according to

"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

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.

As claimed in the LCA article, ”Animals in zoos are forced to live in artificial, stressful, and downright boring conditions”(User, Super). Evidence shows time to time that animals are being affected by zoos. There are many things hidden behind the facilities, that many people do not know about. The animals are being held in conditions that no animal should ever live in. Even though some zoos do focus on helping the animals, they are not as beneficial to the animal because they are not provided with the proper care and attention they need and zoos do not try to fix their problems.

“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 sometimes even take endangered or hurt species and nurture them back to health, but the amount of human interaction animals get in the zoo environment can be extremely harmful in the long run. By becoming more comfortable with humans, animals a lot of the time become more vulnerable to poachers and predators (Cite). Also, students at Oxford University studied the effects of zoo captivity on species and found many animals suffer reproductive, health, and behavioral problems after being held in captivity (Evans). And on few occasions animals, such as snow leopards and ring-tailed lemurs, adjust well and can even thrive in captivity. However, a lot of the time the only reason we keep them in captivity is for the education of humans, maybe it’s time to educate another way, perhaps with some of the technology we are loaded with

Firstly, wild animals in captivity is inhumane. Animals in zoos are often thought of as objects instead of living beings with feelings and emotions. An example of a situation that was inhumane and proves that zoos care more about income than animals took place at the Copenhagen zoo where an 18-month-old, healthy giraffe was killed because it was considered useless for breeding. According to an article by www.peta.org “Even large, well-known, and popular zoos engage in unscrupulous practices, such as dumping unwanted animals or taking animals from the wild.” Because most of these animals were raised or born in captivity, they were not able to develop the necessary survival skills needed to survive in the wild.

One reason why zoos are not good for animals is because they confine animals to tiny spaces. “The treatment of animals held in captivity has changed over history, as the understanding and views of their well-being has increased” (Goodman, 2016). Zoos might have been a good idea in the beginning, but they are not suitable for animals today. “118 animal deaths occurred at AZA-accredited locations, with 10 happening due to human error, including the gorilla Harambe's death at the Cincinnati Zoo” (Thoet, 2017). Zoos are seen as a fun environment, but people do not know what goes on.

To begin, zoos often make animals lose skills that they would otherwise have in the wild making them trapped in the zoo. According to the article, Why zoos are bad for animals, “With no natural predators or food sources to hunt, many animals will lose their natural instincts, which are necessary for survival. This prevents reintegration into the animal kingdom and leaves them sentenced for life in a zoo.” Certainly, animals are made to be in the wild, and when they are trapped in zoos, they lose too many skills to ever go back into the wild. They lose abilities such as being able to hunt and survive in their normal habitat, so zoos can never let them go back where they belong. Another example is from an article called, are zoos good or bad. “Animals like zebras, giraffes and gazelles were designed to run across miles of open terrain, not live out their lives in captivity.” Clearly, this quote shows how animals living

Animals in captivity no longer have control over their environment. The animals normal behavior that is intended to enhance their survival prospects and welfare is taken from them. These captive animals are prevented from doing things they naturally do like foraging, roaming, running, climbing, flying, and being with their kind. Now they must rely on humans to provide them with their needs. Animals in captivity become depressed and disheartened, lots of them develop abnormal behavior for example, swaying, pacing and head bobbing.

When I was a little girl, I was always eager to have a day out to the zoo where I could get up close with hundreds of beautiful animals. I heard many interesting stories of animal life and how hard they have to fight in wild life to survive. Zoo, under my eyes, was a wonderful land where animals were rescued and taken care off in a safe beautiful place. It was much more fun when I figured out animal could do many interesting things as human did as monkey could drive bicycle, and dolphin can dance in the water. However, with the development of media, many truths have been revealed, and zoo is not simply as wonderful as I thought. Monkeys were not born to drive bicycle; dolphins do not naturally dance in the water. They all have to go through severe process of training to do trick and entertain for human. Then, it becomes even more complicated to make up mind what are the real effects of zoos on animal and human. It is definitely a valuable source for public studying. Many zoos were established as a new home for endangered animal. However, it is undeniable that many zoos have taken away animal freedom, as well as torture them for the purpose of entertainment and commercial.

Evaluate the importance of zoos and captive breeding programmes in the preservation of biodiversity for future generations.

Imagine seeing the stripes of a zebra and wondering whether it’s a white animal or a black animal. Imagine seeing for the first time, the long, long neck and patchwork orange of a giraffe. It’s a sight to behold, and one you may not ever see within mere feet of you, unless you were at a zoo. The world’s most beautiful and unique animals are a treasure that draws crowds. The beauty and intricacies of the thousands of species of animals are not to be taken for granted. They are to be observed, studied, admired and understood. Humans have a natural curiosity and desire to learn about animals. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), about half the world’s population visits a zoo or aquarium each year. This is no surprise. Zoos are positively impacting the animals and society.