The practice of keeping wild animals in zoos and other captivity facilities is a controversial one. While some argue that zoos provide necessary care and protection for endangered species, others point to the poor living conditions and lack of space as evidence that captivity is cruel and inhumane.
There is no denying that animals in captivity are often deprived of their natural habitats and social structures. This can lead to physical and mental health problems, as well as premature death. In addition, there have been several high-profile cases of animals escaping or attacking their captors, which highlights the potential danger of keeping wild animals confined.
That said, there are also many examples of zoos and other captive facilities providing excellent care for their animals. These organizations often work with wildlife conservation groups to help protect and preserve endangered species. They also typically have strict guidelines in place to ensure the health and safety of both the animals and the humans who interact with them.
The captivity of animals in zoos has long been a point of contention. Many individuals believe zoos are an example of cruel and unusual punishment for wild animals. Many people feel that keeping an animal captive is a violation of its rights to liberty. Others feel it is beneficial to preserve endangered species while also educating the public through it.
In this paper I will discuss the conflict of animals in captivity and the pros and cons of zoos. The first zoos were created over 2,500 years ago in Egypt and China (“The history of zoos”, 2014). These private collections of animals were for the royalty to view. The animals were often brought from other countries as gifts or through trade. In the early 1800’s, zoos began to open up to the public in Europe and America (“The history of zoos”, 2014).
People were fascinated by these exotic animals they had never seen before. Zoos became more popular and by the mid 1900’s there were over 500 zoos worldwide (“The history of zoos”, 2014). Today, there are over 10,000 zoos in over 200 countries (“The history of zoos”, 2014).
The mission of zoos has changed over time. In the early days, the main purpose of a zoo was for entertainment and exhibition (“The history of zoos”, 2014). The animals were often kept in small cages and treated poorly. As time went on, the mission of zoos shifted to conservation and education (“The history of zoos”, 2014). Zoos began to focus on saving endangered species and educating the public about these animals.
There are many pros and cons to having animals in captivity. One pro is that zoos can be a safe haven for endangered species. There are over 7,000 species of animals in zoos around the world (“The history of zoos”, 2014). If these animals were to be released into the wild, they would not stand a chance against predators and would likely die. By keeping them in captivity, zoos can help ensure the survival of these species.
Another pro is that zoos can educate the public about animals. Many people who visit zoos learn about the animals they see and how to protect them. Zoos also do research on the animals in their care which can help us learn more about them and their needs. This research can then be used to help conserve these animals in the wild.
A con of having animals in captivity is that they are often treated poorly. Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages with little to no enrichment. This can lead to boredom and mental health problems for the animals. Studies have shown that animals in zoos often exhibit signs of stress and anxiety (Flemming, 2014).
Another con is that zoos do not provide a natural habitat for the animals. Animals in zoos are confined to a small area and are not able to roam freely. This can cause physical and mental health problems for the animals.
The pros and cons of keeping animals in captivity have been debated for many years. There are valid arguments on both sides. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in captivity is a personal one.
While there are advantages and disadvantages to both viewpoints, zoos should be avoided unless absolutely required. Zoos have several advantages. For instance, zoos aid in the protection of endangered animals from hunters as well as allowing the species to reproduce if the majority of its members are killed.
Also, zoos give researchers the ability to study animals up close without having to go into the wild and disturb their natural habitat. However, the cons seem to outweigh the pros when it comes to zoos. Animals in zoos are often not given enough space which leads to boredom and aggression. This is because most animals in captivity are used to roaming large areas and being able to explore. Another big con is that animals in zoos often get sick due to the unhealthy and cramped conditions they are kept in.
According to Last Chance for Animals, some keepers try to persuade that the animals may be used for research. “There are actually just a few zoos that do real and dependable research,” they write. These findings, on the other hand, are clearly skewed in favor of animals who live in cages.
In other words, the research conducted in zoos is not only unreliable, but also often irrelevant. The living conditions of animals in zoos are also often appalling. Animals are confined to small, cramped cages where they are unable to exercise or move around freely. This can lead to a whole host of health problems, both mental and physical. In fact, many animals in zoos display signs of stress and mental illness, such as pacing back and forth, self-mutilation, and aggression.
It’s also important to remember that wild animals are not domesticated and thus not used to the presence of humans. Forcing them to live in close proximity to humans can be extremely stressful for them. In many cases, animals in zoos are taken from the wild, which itself is a traumatic experience. They are then transported to a foreign and unfamiliar place where they are confined and forced to interact with humans. This can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for the animals.
The bottom line is that captivity is not natural for wild animals. Zoos cannot provide them with the kind of life they would have in the wild. If you care about animals, the best thing you can do is avoid visiting zoos and other places that keep animals in captivity.