Did you know that one of the first zoological gardens in the Western Hemisphere featured humans instead of animals? In turn, those animals will lose part of their natural instincts and will no longer be able to survive in the wild due to that. Another 23 jobs were supported for every $1 million that zoos spent on construction projects. Although there are efforts to replicate a wild habitat, a small display area is hardly the same as being free to roam. 7, 2019), NBA, NBA Breaks All-Time Attendance Record for Fourth Straight Year, nba.com, Apr. 9. 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. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos Most people working in zoos are true animal lovers. 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. 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. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Should we boycott or ban zoos? Extend the debate to other human-made animal habitats, such as safari parks and animal sanctuaries. If you visit the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, then you can see a rare white alligator. Do the cons of zoos outweight their benefits? There are now wild herds in Europe and Mongolia, closely monitored by scientists, which are thriving. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. Zoos receive regular inspections on multiple levels to ensure they are in compliance with care and safety regulations. Especially in poor developing countries, many regions rely on zoos to make additional income in order to improve the living conditions of the general public. Zoo is the place where wild animals are collected for tourist attraction, as there are several endanger species animals protected from extinction by zookeepers. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. That means many animals suffer in extreme weather conditions (polar bears in hot regions, for example) they would otherwise never encounter. Zoos are an unsuitable environment for wild animals and should be abolished. Elephants become more aggressive when they are unable to travel and explore, which is caused zookeepers to euthanize almost 100 individuals in the past decade because of the danger they caused to others. 3, 2018, Tse-Lynn Loh, et al., Quantifying the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, facetsjournal.com, Mar. 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. If we want to save those species from extinction, we have to let them breed in safe environments like in zoos in order to protect them from other predator species. 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. WebZoos have been around for 4,000 years, for many years people have gone to zoos to see wild animals up close. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [9] [41], According to a study of 26 zoos worldwide published in Conservation Biology, visitors to zoos increased their knowledge of biodiversity and specific individual actions to protect biodiversity. Many animals in zoos also have a significantly lower life expectancy compared to animals who live in the wild. WebShould Zoos Be Banned Essay. Another significant downside of zoos is that animals can often not be returned to the wild after they had been kept in captivity. Thus, in order to protect those animals from mental issues as best as possible, zoos should try to improve the overall living conditions of those animals and provide them with sufficient space so that those animals can live as naturally as possible. There is no quick fix for the issues faced by zoos across the country and around the world. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Pros and Cons of Owning an Exotic Animal Animal Adovocacy Organizations to Partner With Should animals be kept in captivity? [16], Zoos are also working to save polar bears, tigers, and wild African elephants from habitat loss, apes and rhinos from poachers, dolphins and whales from hunters, and bees and butterflies from population declines, among many other efforts to help many other animals. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. Polar bears dont do well in tropical locations, even when they receive ice as a coping mechanism for the climate. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. Proponents say zoos educate the public about animals. Despite their immense popularity, zoos have become increasingly controversial institutions. Especially for those people, it can be quite important to go to the zoo and to see all those animals in order to remember how important protecting our environment really is. 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. Although the initial methods of retrieval were brutal, sometimes killing the parents to take the young one back for study, the overall goal was to extend human knowledge. Well, we have always seen animals inside the jungle with joy and grow as big and furious wild animals most of the time. In general, if animals are kept under unnatural living conditions, their behavior will change in the long run. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. However, while those zoos may help to make some money for people in those regions, the conditions in those zoos are often rather poor since the goal is profit maximization and not to offer animals the best living conditions possible. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. As a result of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which exposed the psychological damage done to orcas by SeaWorld, California outlawed captive orca breeding. Over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year in the United States,and 25 million in the United Kingdom. 4. Some species have been poached to near extinction because of this market. Thus, going to the zoo can give you a great time and can be a nice way to unplug from your stressful daily life. Watch this video with Jane Goodall on the role of zoos in saving animals. Your comment is being posted. Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. However, today on Earth due to population growth and urbanization many animal species are endangered and most people have very few opportunities to observe and learn from animals. Veterinary doctors, zoologist, voluntary staff, etc. Zoos should be banned worldwide because the animals are living in an unnatural habitat, the zoos kill or sell surplus animals, and zoos are not educational. Web1030 Words5 Pages. However, if staff members dont have proper qualifications, chances are that some animals are treated quite poorly and many of them may also suffer from serious neglect over time. 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. Each person in a caretaker role is highly educated, trained to know the mannerisms, health needs, and characteristics of the animal to ensure the highest levels of safety. [40], Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Learn about the pros and cons of zoos and join our debate and poll: Should there be zoos? Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. (Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / aknourkova) Pros: When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoos began to engage in conservation programs. the initial reaction of most people is rejection. 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. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living Zoos can also play a crucial role when it comes to research opportunities. Proponents say zoos educate the public about animals. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? This is not only due to the entrance fees for zoos, but also due to the fact that tourists will sleep in hotels and eat out in restaurants, which further generates significant income for the local population. Zoos also give us a unique opportunity to see many different exotic animals without the need to travel to many exotic countries. My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people of all ages about our environmental problems and how everyone can make a contribution to mitigate these issues. Animal products like elephant tusks or shark fins create a financial market where the health and welfare of a species is secondary to the profits which are possible. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 1. According to organizations like the World Society for the Protection of Animals and The Humane Society of the United States, restrictive cages and enclosures affect normal animal behavior and sometimes lead to shorter lifespans. Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages where they cannot roam freely or express natural behaviors. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Pollinator Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. About 15 out of the 5 million animals currently alive are believed to have this rare condition that changes the color of their skin. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Often animals in such zoos are trained to perform tricks. Even highly trained people miss an open lock or find themselves in dangerous circumstances with predatory animals, so there is always some level of risk involved. Another pro of zoos is their role in animal reproduction. Accessed February 21, 2023. https://www.procon.org/headlines/zoos-top-3-pros-and-cons/, Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation, National Geographic, Zoo, nationalgeographic.org (accessed May 8, 2019), Schnbrunn Palace, Zoo, schoenbrunn.at (accessed Apr. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. 2. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? You will find employer matching, tribute gifts, exhibition sponsorship, and financial wildlife adoptions are all part of their financial picture each year as well. When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoosbegan to engage in conservation programs. All the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned I'm no big animal-rights campaigner, but I do trust facts delivered by experts, and the facts tell me that zoos are just a really terrible idea. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. If they dont follow the rules, they essentially go out of business. In fact, similar to circuses, animals are often treated quite poorly in zoos and have to comply with the rules of zookeepers. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 20, 2017, US Fish & Wildlife Service, California Condor Population Information, fws.gov, May 7, 2018, Jan Flemr, Long Way Home as Przewalskis Horses Fly to Mongolia, phys.org, July 19, 2018, Jane Palmer, The Worlds Last Truly Wild Horse, bbc.com, Nov. 11, 2015, Lori Marino, et al., Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors? According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US had 230 accredited zoos and aquariums as of 2020. The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. That hasnt stopped some poachers from breaking into zoos to harvest what they want, but it is preventing the levels of harm that we have seen in the past. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? In fact, many big zoos have hundreds or even thousands of different animal species and even if you search for rather exotic species that would never be present in your local area, chances are that you will find those species in zoos. 10 Reasons Why Zoos Are Bad and Should Be Banned Also, one of the biggest reasons zoos exist is not for helping animals in danger, but in fact breeding them for human enjoyment. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. Should zoos be banned facts. In fact, due to habitat destruction and many other environmental problems, many species have become endangered over the past decades. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Thanks. Every year, farm animal rescue takes place all across the United States. Even those prices are not enough to keep the zoo financially solid. ProCon.org. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? If you feel this user's conduct is unappropriate, please report this comment and our moderaters will review its content and deal with this matter as soon as possible. Should zoos exist? Zoo advocates maintain that their efforts make a difference in wildlife conservation and will continue to have a positive environmental impact well into the future. 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. Orcas can live for more than a century on their own, but when you keep them in captivity, the average lifespan for a male is less than 20 years. No matter how closely programs like Planet Earth depict animals, nothing will match the bond of seeing them in real life. In addition, visitors are allowed to get very close to them, which is notpermitted in larger, better-regulated establishments. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. They are simply, From an ethical point of view zoos are also questionable. My kids are obsessed with dinosaurs that no longer exist, and Skylanders, which have never existed. [28], A study of 35 species of carnivores, including brown bears, cheetahs, and lions, found that zoo enclosures were too small for the animals to carry out their normal routines, which led to problems such as pacing and more infant deaths. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. 6. If you are new to netivist, please create your account for free and start collecting your netivist points! Even the best zoos can have animals develop severe health problems. In fact, many animals in the wild lose their lives every year due to poaching since people want to sell the horns or other valuable parts of those animals for quite high prices. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-banner-1','ezslot_16',144,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-banner-1-0');Zoos can also play a crucial role to protect many animals from endangerment or even from extinction. Growing urbanization and industrialization led to heightened demand for new forms of entertainment. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. ", ProCon.org. 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. As unbelievable as this sounds, it is happening, and something should be done to stop such actions in the future. Thus, zoos can also be quite important to raise awareness of our global environmental problems in order to protect our animals as best as possible. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. Especially if you have children, going to the zoo can also be a quite nice family activity. New to netivist? In many zoos, there are also some animal shows and it may be indeed questionable whether treating animals in these ways can be justifiable. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. Just look at a childs eyes at the zoo when he or she encounters a tiger or similarly majestic animal. [12], 228 accredited zoos published 5,175 peer-reviewed manuscripts between 1993 and 2013. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. 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. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. WebIn conclusion, zoos should be abolished because they are unethical, cause animal suffering, and are unnecessary in today's society. Zoo is the place where wild animals are collected for tourist attraction, as there are several endanger species animals protected from extinction by zookeepers. Thus, zoos are also often not able to increase the populations of animals in the wild. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. 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. That change prompted the shift in zoo narrative from entertainment to the protection of animals. Hence, also if you are on a budget and cannot afford to spend too much money on your leisure activities, zoos can provide you a great opportunity to spend your whole day without having to spend excessive amounts of money on it. Last modified on August 13, 2021. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. 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. How to Tell and What to Do, The Best Fertilizer for Indoor Plants and When to Use It, 7 Eco-Friendly Resorts for Sustainable Travelers, Where & How to Recycle Laptops and Why Its So Important, Everyday Palm Oil Products and Sustainable Alternatives, 6 Solutions to Deforestation and What You Can Do, The 15 Cutest Exotic Animals in the World. 1. Elephants dont do well when they are kept in locations that are cold and snowy. In fact, especially people who work in demanding jobs for quite long hours every day often need time for themselves in order to reload their batteries.