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. About 15 out of the 5 million animals currently alive are believed to have this rare condition that changes the color of their skin. WebIn conclusion, zoos should be abolished because they are unethical, cause animal suffering, and are unnecessary in today's society. What we see is a process that eventually leads towards domestication, which is why it is a struggle for injured or wild animals to finish out their lives in a zoo. Often animals in such zoos are trained to perform tricks. Then, targeted bans for specific zoos that do not satisfy firmer regulations might become an option. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. 1. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. In this article, the pros and cons of zoos are discussed.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_10',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-medrectangle-4-0'); One important advantage of zoos is that they enable us to see many different animals in one place. 3, 2018, Tse-Lynn Loh, et al., Quantifying the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, facetsjournal.com, Mar. When the first modern zoo was established in London in the 19th century, the purpose was purely scientific. Hence, zoos can also encourage global cooperation, which can benefit all parties in the long run. In fact, similar to circuses, animals are often treated quite poorly in zoos and have to comply with the rules of zookeepers. 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. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Marine Mammal Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. Ten Days That Vanished: The Switch to the Gregorian Calendar, https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-zoos. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 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. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. If you believe they should, consider whether they should remain the same or change. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_15',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Zoos not only give us the opportunity to see many different animals, they are also important from an educational perspective. Whenever visitors like animals and birds and pay more to visit them, they get luxurious food and habitat. 3. You can find animal treatment teams including specialists, pathologies, and trainers to ensure that every care plan is followed to the letter. 7. Another unique set of problems arises from the live feeding of certain species, particularly big cats. Last modified on August 13, 2021. 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. In fact, many zoos are rather free regarding how they want to treat their animals and in some countries, animals are even just considered as property instead of living organisms that need proper regulatory protection. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 6 Powerful Prayers for Binge Eating Disorder, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. 3. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. 2. By 2018, breeding programs at zoos increased the number to 2,400 horses, and 800 were reintroduced to the wild. If you have four kids that you want to take there for the day, then you could be out $300 before you take your first step onto the grounds. 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. While zoos spend millions on keeping animals confined, natural habitats are destroyed and animals are killed, as theres insufficient funding for their protection. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. However, especially for those wild animals that know how life in the wild feels like, it can be quite hard to get trapped in zoos and those animals will likely never get happy. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. They are simply, From an ethical point of view zoos are also questionable. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. In turn, chances may increase that we can protect many animal species from extinction. Explain your answer(s). 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. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Continue with Recommended Cookies. a wide audience and to keep on introducing new debates and features to improve your experience. 3. Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. If they dont follow the rules, they essentially go out of business. 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. Should zoos exist? "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. 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. Live feeding, often touted as positive since it encourages normal predatory behaviors, has a notable downside. Most zoos use veterinarians and work with professionals from degree programs. Another problem with zoos is that staff members in zoos often dont have the required knowledge to take care of the different animals in a proper manner. 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.. ], ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons,", ProCon.org, "Zoos Top 3 Pros and Cons. 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. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? If you believe they should not, consider how else to accomplish zoos conservation efforts. 4. Do We Need Them. Zoos provide 200,000 jobs with an annual budget of $230 million set aside for wildlife conservation. [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. [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. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. People working at zoos paid little attention to the concept of wildlife conservation or expanding our scientific understanding of the animal kingdom. [26][27], TV shows such as Planet Earth bring wild animals into living rooms, allowing people to see the animals in their natural habitats without causing harm to animals such as the endangered snow leopard. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. 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. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Some species have been poached to near extinction because of this market. Zoos have existed in some form since at least 2500 BCE in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where records indicate giraffes, bears, dolphins, and other animals were kept by aristocrats. It places enormous pressure on the mental health of many species, causing them to live much shorter lives than they would in the wild. Many people also go to the zoo in order to relax and to see something completely different compared to their normal daily life. The Red Panda can be found in St. Louis, and there are fewer than 10,000 of them in the world today. There are continuous cases of animals abused by visitors and zoo workers. When you keep the animal in a zoo instead, then they might have 1,500 square feet to roam, and sometimes even less. In this article, well take a look at. Zoos can do an excellent job at conservation if they make the effort, but far too often profit is the primary motivation. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. Banning zoos could go a long way toward halting this practice or at the very least reducing its impact on the natural world. From time to time, wild animals have to be caught and sent to zoos in order to sustain the populations of animals in zoos. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Exotic pet cats may seem like a good idea, but these. The modern zoo as we know it emerged in the United Kingdom in the 19th century. Even those prices are not enough to keep the zoo financially solid. Web1030 Words5 Pages. Visiting the zoo requires people to have respect for the fences, borders, and safety enclosures that separate the animals from their trainers, keepers, and families. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. This can not only save you plenty of money but also significant amounts of time. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. Please let us know! The size and complexity of the zoo system and the vast range of animals in their care mean this problem cant be solved easily. Should animals be kept in captivity? Consider the pros and cons with a video from Above the Noise. Some people say zoos are safe to place for animals to live because they do not have to seek for food to survive. When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoosbegan to engage in conservation programs. Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. 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. Author Bio Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. However, many people claim that taxpayers money that is spent on zoos could be much better spent on other important infrastructure projects. Consequently, going to the zoo can be a great way to spend your time in a completely different environment, which can also be helpful if you are currently rather bored with your daily life. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. This will allow us to keep netivist alive and available to 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. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. A zoological garden, which is sometimes referred to as an animal park or a menagerie, is a facility which houses animals within an enclosure and displays them to the public in a manner that is safe for everyone involved. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. What Is Sustainable Development and Why Is It Necessary? This is due to the fact that many zoos are subsidized by the government in order to give as many people access to zoos as possible. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. 2019, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Visitor Demographics, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), Maury Brown, Why MLB Attendance Dropped below 70 Million for the First Time in 15 Years, forbes.com, Oct. 3, 2018, NHL, NHL Attendance (1975-76 through 2018-2019), records.nhl.com (accessed May. One strong argument for why zoos should be banned is it is intrinsically wrong to place animals in captivity. What Do Wasps Do for the Environment? 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Climate Change and Wildlife, aza.org (accessed Apr. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. The animals are given special activities and nutrition that works with their instincts as well to give them the most natural existence possible. However, constraints like limited space and funds hinder this process. When you visit the Memphis Zoo, then you can see an Okapi. Zoos are not only important to protect endangered animals from extinction, they are also important from a financial perspective for many local communities all around the world. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? Since the overall living conditions for animals are often quite poor in zoos, opponents of zoos also often claim that most zoos are cruel and should be closed. 15, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Research and Science, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), C. Robinette, L. Saffran, A. Ruple, and S.L. Over the past 30 years, many established zoos have endeavored to improve the level of animal care and rehabilitate their image in the public eye. 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. Your vote is anonymous. In many zoos, there are also some animal shows and it may be indeed questionable whether treating animals in these ways can be justifiable. In fact, the overall setting and also the visual appearance greatly differs across zoos and in case you get bored by your favorite zoo, you may just try another zoo. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. 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.
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