This might take a few seconds, please wait. ], ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons. Because there isnt a monetary transaction that occurs, there is no way for the non-profit organization providing supports for the zoo to recoup their losses. Watch this video with Jane Goodall on the role of zoos in saving animals. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. [24] [25], A review published in Animal Studies Repository concluded, to date there is no compelling or even particularly suggestive evidence for the claim that zoos and aquariums promote attitude change, education, and interest in conservation in visitors. Even a study widely cited to justify the argument that zoos educate the public stated, there was no overall statistically significant change in understanding [of ecological concepts] seen because visitors know a lot about ecology before going to the zoo. If zoos are unable to maintain standards of cleanliness, animal engagement, and habitat structure, then the facility can lose its accreditation and ability to operate. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. A Critical Evaluation of the American Zoo and Aquarium Study, animalstudiesrepoistory.org, 2010, John H. Falk, et al., Why Zoos and Aquariums Matter: Assessing the Impact of a Visit to a Zoo or Aquarium, docplayer.net, 2007, Romesh Ranganathan, Zoos Are Prisons for Animals No One Needs to See a Depressed Penguin in the Flesh, theguardian.com, Mar. Animals need to be kept in temperate zones which are similar to their natural habitat if they have any hope of being successful in the zoo. Moreover, those animals may often feel trapped since they have to stay in their cages and cannot navigate as they would do in the wild. Over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year in the United States,and 25 million in the United Kingdom. In fact, those people often work in demanding office jobs for long hours and dont spend time in nature anymore. It changes the behavior of the animal. 6. From time to time, wild animals have to be caught and sent to zoos in order to sustain the populations of animals in zoos. Animals in captivity often develop dangerous and destructive habits due to the stress of living in such restricted spaces. Thanks. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/zoo/, https://oakleesguide.com/10-tips-for-an-awesome-zoo-trip/. Thus, especially in countries with lax regulations related to zoos, animals will often be treated quite poorly and in those countries, governments should introduce stricter regulations in order to protect these animals. Even when you take into consideration the educational benefits that come with a zoo, the fact is that most wild animals do not adapt well to confined circumstances. Even those prices are not enough to keep the zoo financially solid. Human-Environment Interaction: Definition & Examples, 30 Team-Building Activities for Kids (Indoor & Outdoor), 25 Outdoor Team Building Activities for Group Bonding, 3 Homemade Heating Pad DIYs to Warm Up Your Winter, How to Make a Bird Box With Easy Customizations, DIY Baking Soda Vinegar Foot Soak For Tired Feet. The best natural habitat enclosures are a poor substitute for the real thing. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. 5. Romesh Ranganathan, a British comedian, stated, It still slightly surprises me that anybody thinks that we should have zoos at all. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. It places enormous pressure on the mental health of many species, causing them to live much shorter lives than they would in the wild. You will find employer matching, tribute gifts, exhibition sponsorship, and financial wildlife adoptions are all part of their financial picture each year as well. In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. 4. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Some elephant herds in the wild can grow to become 40 members strong. What other conservation efforts are important to saving wildlife? Among others, articles have been cited by NPOs, Wikipedia, Medium.com as well as on several college websites and lifestyle blogs. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Some species have been poached to near extinction because of this market. A joint conservation effort between the San Diego and Los Angeles Zoos with other organizations resulted in a population of 276 California condors in the wild and another 170 in captivity by 2016. 1. Smaller zoos dont always have the money to hire well-trained zoological staff or expand their breeding programs and facilities to maintain the ethos of conservation. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Of 77 elephants in 13 zoos, 71 were overweight and spent 83% of their time indoors, contributing to early death. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage 3. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. In my opinion, keeping animals in zoos can be justifiable as long as animals are kept under rather natural conditions and are not caged in pretty confined spaces. [29], About 70% of adult male gorillas in North America have heart disease, the leading cause of death among gorillas in captivity, although the condition is almost completely absent in the wild. Although there are efforts to replicate a wild habitat, a small display area is hardly the same as being free to roam. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. Animals which are born in captivity can often adapt to their circumstances if given enough time, but they will still encounter the lifespan issues of their parents. Ten Days That Vanished: The Switch to the Gregorian Calendar, https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-zoos. Just login. Only a dozen individuals were left in one facility by the 1940s, but their numbers are now in the thousands today because of the conservation programs that were initiated to save them. [3] [4]. Hence, also if you currently try to figure out what to do for your next field trip, going to the zoo may also be quite nice in this regard. 3. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. In fact, psyche plays a major role for the life expectancy of many animals and if those animals get tired of their lives in zoos, chances are that their overall life expectancy drops as well. Many of them are reported every week in the media, however, the large majority are kept secret and those responsible are never held accountable or punished. One of the biggest reasons why zoos are bad is because there arent any proper laws to be followed when it comes to providing these animals with protection and as far as there isnt any, zoos should be banned. 2021, there are 241 accredited zoos in the United States. There is no quick fix for the issues faced by zoos across the country and around the world. Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? Zoos are an unsuitable environment for wild animals and should be abolished. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regents Park, these zoos were intended for genteel amusement and edification, according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. They are simply, From an ethical point of view zoos are also questionable. The Toledo Zoo ran a psychiatric program in which a gorilla with premenstrual depression was prescribed Prozac. Zoos also collect exotic pets from people who want to get rid of them, which gives the pets home while generating revenue for the zoos. [4], Captive elephants live about half as long as wild elephants: 18.9 years v. 41.7 years for Asian elephants and 16.9 years v. 35.8 years for African elephants. Only use this feature if you are certain this user has infringed netivist's Terms of Service. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. While zoos can provide some benefits for animals and the public, there are also valid concerns about the impact on animal welfare and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Consider the pros and cons with a video from Above the Noise. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinalls opinion that zoos are outdated and cruel.. For every $1 million spent by zoos on their operational outlays, there were nearly 30 jobs supported. Thus, by going to the zoo, people may be more eager to take additional efforts in their daily lives to behave as eco-friendly as possible, which is crucial to protect our animal and plant species from extinction and also to solve various other environmental problems. Zoos are losing their influence on the educational industry. Veterinary doctors, zoologist, voluntary staff, etc. The only effective and sustainable way to save species is to support schemes that target the root cause of the extinction and endangerment of animals habitat destruction. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. While zoos can provide some benefits for animals and the public, there are also valid concerns about the impact on animal welfare and the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Join with confidence, netivist is completely advertisement free. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. At the time, these institutions accommodated nearly 800,000 animals and 6,000 species, with around 1,000 on the endangered species list. Although not everyone can afford a visit to their local zoo, there are still plenty of ways to learn more about the various animals who share this planet with us. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. The animals would then be transferred to zoos where the proper care would be given to them. Zoos don't educate the public enough to justify keeping animals captive. Already have an account on netivist? Critics and animal rights activists insist that despite their noble intentions, zoos are inherently immoral and primarily serve to entertain humans at the animals expense. The ethical dilemma around keeping wild animals in captivity is significant. There are more humane and effective ways to conserve and educate about animals, and it is our responsibility to consider the welfare of all beings on this planet. In fact, many children love to go to the zoo and it can also be a great location for school excursions since going to the zoo is rather risk-free and teachers may not have to worry too much due to that. People working at zoos paid little attention to the concept of wildlife conservation or expanding our scientific understanding of the animal kingdom. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos 2022-11-17 Should zoos be banned facts Rating: 4,9/10 1414 reviews "Sab Din Hot Na Ek Saman" (meaning "Every day is the same" in English) is a common phrase that reflects the monotony and repetitive nature of daily life. 3. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. 7, 2019), NBA, NBA Breaks All-Time Attendance Record for Fourth Straight Year, nba.com, Apr. A complete ban or more vigorous enforcement of standards would also protect these untrained workers from injury or death caused by unpredictable animal behavior. The difference can be as much as 50% when comparing the lifespan of a wild species compared to one kept in a zoo. Moreover, you can also educate children about the importance of behaving eco-friendly, which is crucial to assure a livable future for them and for the next generations.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_24',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Another nice thing about zoos is that they are often quite different.