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The importance of zoos
Animal cruelty in zoos essay
Animal cruelty in zoos and circuses
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I confess, I am guilty. I am guilty of supporting these disgraceful prisons where the ones held captive are, at times, abducted from there homes and forced to entertain us. I did not support them because I wanted to or thought it to be right, but because I was ignorant and did not know the truth. In fact, at one point in our lives we are all guilty of it. Looks can be deceiving. At first glance we would never think these places to be horrible, but in all reality they are. I am talking about zoos, aquariums, marine parks and circuses. All of these places are just another form of prisons. The only difference between this prison and other prisons is that the prisoners did nothing to deserve to be in there, they are all innocent. I have been to a zoo and a circus, making me guilty, therefore it is my responsibility to inform you about what really goes on behind closed doors. Lets start with zoos, where animals are kept in cages or large enclosures for public viewing. Millions of people visit zoos thinking the animals are happy, when in all reality they are miserable. You can try to replicate the animals enclosure to their natural habitat, but they can never replace their homes. An animals rights organization states, “Animals are often prevented from doing most of the things that are natural and important to them, like running, roaming, flying, climbing, foraging, choosing a partner, and being with others of their own kind,” (PETA). Although, zoos are said to ‘help’ these animals, they really are not, it is more a collection of different animals in order to show off to the audience and gain money off of them. People begin to believe it is okay to keep these wild animals captive and have their lives be controlled by someone else. Ano... ... middle of paper ... ...one behind iron bars and caged doors. The truth can be a bit overwhelming, it is clear and simple, wild animals should not be held in captivity. With all this researching and finding the dirt on what really happens behind closed doors, it is hard to believe some people, who are aware of what really goes on, continue to support these programs. It is not morally correct to take advantage of a being, who is incapable of standing up for itself, for the pleasure of mankind. We have no right to do such a thing because we are all the same, under it all we are just another set of bones to lay to rest. If we would not hold our fellow humans captives and force them to entertain then why do we do it to animals? What if the roles were reversed and we were the defenseless ones? Say what you want, in the end keeping wild animals captive is wrong and needs to be stopped.
Considering the many challenges animals face in the wild, it is understandable that people may be eager to support zoos and may feel that they are protective facilities necessary for animal life. In the article “ Zoos Are Not Prisons. They Improve the Lives of Animals”, Author Robin Ganzert argues that Zoos are ethical institutions that enrich the lives of animals and ultimately protect them. Statistics have shown that animals held in captivity have limited utilitarian function resulting in cramped quarters, poor diets, depression, and early death for the animals thus, proving that Zoos are not ethical institutions that support and better the lives of animals as author Robin Ganzert stated (Cokal 491). Ganzert exposes the false premise in stating
Suppose you were kidnapped from your family as a child by an alien species while your family watched in despair, crying out helplessly for your kidnappers to not rip you away from them. Now imagine then being strapped down and transported to a place unknown and once you arrive, you see that some of the other children that were also kidnapped have died. You then witness something that will forever remain engraved into your mind; you witness those monsters that took you hostage cut the children open, fill their bodies up with rocks, tie an anchor onto their feet and throw them into the ocean. The monsters then throw you into a tiny cage; you learn that you will not only never see your family again and die in that confinement but you will also work for these monsters and perform as a source of entertainment for them. You spend every night locked away into an even smaller steel cage that gives no freedom of movement at all and aren’t fed if you displease your new masters. Although this sounds like an outline for a horror movie, it is not. It is happening in real life and in our world. It is horrific, not only unethical but inhumane. This depicts the capturing process and life in captivity for public display of Orcinus Orcas, popularly known as Killer Whales since 1961. Although some laws regarding the capturing of whales have changed, whales are still being treated unethically. Just as inhumane as it is for this to be done to humans, it is equally inhumane for it to be done to animals. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, inhumanity is “the quality or stage of being cruel to other people or to animals” (dictionary.com) and that is what their captivity is...
I will now move onto arguments supporting the use of animal captivity. I am starting with Kant, who provides a strong argument for animal captivity. Kantian Ethics holds the view that we do not have any direct ethical duties to non-human animals. We only owe ethical duties to rational beings, and non-human animals are not included in this group. The value humanity comes from our capacity to be governed by autonomous, rational choices. Since non-human cannot be part of this, Kant believes we can do as we please with them. This can be demonstrated in Kant’s ‘Political Writings’ when he argues,
The debate on storing animals in zoos became controversial, and I came to the final decision that animals do not deserve to live in zoos. Animals are meant to live in their natural habitat, just as humans thrive in their naturally industrialized environment. Living in captivity can also cause the animal’s lifespan to decrease, and it may be due to the failure to satisfy their emotional needs. Human interaction to wildlife and its animals is every expanding, and this probably makes manmade disasters the main cause of the transaction of wild animals from the wild to zoos. On the other hand, zoos have the potential to raise awareness and the support from public donations to fund animal conservation projects, but people do not need to physically see an animal provide their support. Since there are many solutions to this debate, there is no direct answer. From a wild animal’s point of view, humans may be seen as immoral beings with countless evil intentions. What they do not realize is that we have the potential to do good and make big, positive
There are many places where people can go to see live animals such as aquariums, zoos, and safari parks. A pleasant way to define a Zoo is to call it “an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals”. (Google def) Another way to say that is a facility in which animals are “enclosed in cages for public exhibition”. I believe zoos are ethical; however, changes need to be made to eliminate problems I have discovered. In this argumentative essay, I will be arguing the ethics of zoos and certain problems that need to be addressed that people are not aware of. Zoos are great places to take the family out for the day to have entertainment; however, problems such as captive breeding, length of life, and animal stress need to improve.
The first point of view from this issue is the side that believes humans, zoos and other facilities should be allowed to keep animals. The places that captivate animals believe that they are doing a favor to the creatures. They believe that they are saving them from being killed by humans. They say that if they would not have taken in these animals they would have died in the wild. They say they’re giving them a fresh new start and a place to live without worry. For example, in this article they state that zoos try and h...
over 1,800 cases of animal cruelty in the past year because of the lack of animals having rights revealed in the media, with 64.5% involving dogs, 18% involving cats and the other 25% involving other animals. They should have rights because they have feelings, they are valuable, and they mean a lot to some families to the point where they’re considered to be a part of the family. Most importantly, humans are also animals, So think about how you would feel if someone had full control over you or someone you loved and did things to you that you didn’t enjoy or like. You have to think about their world from their standpoint. Yes, they are animals but they should not be less valued just because they are different from humans.
A memorable experience for both young and old, zoos have educated and entertained visitors for decades; however, zoos have been criticized, especially by animal rights activists. These critics say that zoos don’t provide for all the animals’ needs found in their natural habitat. Are zoos worldwide assisting animals, or are the animals better off in the wild?
The difference between right and wrong is not always perfectly clear. A long-standing part of cultures across the world, zoological and animal parks have been around for hundreds of years. While in the past concerns and issues regarding the ethical problems zoos seem to impose were less prominent, in recent times the rise of animal rights activist groups and new generational values have influenced the way people view these parks. Critics believe that zoos are an unnatural habitat for animals and force them to live in captivity, having a negative impact on their health. Yet, there are still many remaining who fully support zoos, citing business and educational reasons. Some supporters even acknowledge the ethical problems zoos face, but choose
In the wild, animals almost always stick with their own species, but in captivity, some animals prefer animals that are not related to them. At the San Diego Zoo Safari Park a Rhodesian ridgeback, Raina, and a shy cheetah, Ruuxa, formed a lifelong relationship with each other. The two wrestled, chased, and cuddled together since they were less than 2 months old when they met. There are very few of these types of relationships around the world, but these connections can be very unique.
As Paul McCartney says, “You can judge a man's true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.” This famous quote applies to Dr. Randy Malamud, an animal ethicist who believes strongly in the idea that zoos are no place for animals. In the interview “Please Don’t Read the Animals: An Interview With Dr. Randy Malamud,” conducted by Professor Anna Schachner, Dr.Malamud clearly explains that wild animals should be kept in their own habitats. Rather than forcing animals into a box with metal bars around them, in order to be used as entertainment. Within reason, I do support Dr. Malamud’s opinion concerning this topic because when analyzed, the only benefit aside from food that humans see in animals is through zoos, circuses, and experiments. Animals can’t defend themselves against mans power. I believe animals’ lives should not be demeaned or played around with like a child plays with a toy. I support organizations and movements that promote animal rights in order to prevent man’s continual mistreatment towards animals, bringing more cultural awareness to the sensitivities needed for mankind to live in better harmony with our fellow creatures, and applaud the on-going work and struggles of animal rights activists across the world, appreciating what they have contributed to society.
Human fascination for lions and tigers has prompted circuses, such as Ringling Brothers, to hold these feline animals in captivity for entertainment. However, these actions are morally impermissible because it causes unnecessary harm and suffering, therefore compromising the animal’s welfare (21). Furthermore, the moral issue that arises is whether these circuses are minimizing the level of discomfort their animals experience. The basis of these arguments is not whether lions and tigers have the same mental capacity or communication skills as humans, but the ability to feel pain and discomfort.
Let’s take a look at Pitiful Prisons (Zoos) for instance. Despite their professional concern for animals, zoos could more accurately be described as a "collection" of animals rather than actual safe havens or homes. Zoos claim to be educational, but visitors spend maybe a few minutes at each display searching for entertainment more than enlightenment; it doesn't matter what’s on display, the people look at it as if it is wallpaper. Even taking consideration of the best conditions at the best of zoos, the fake ecosystems couldn't even begin to replace wild animals’ habitat.... ...
Envision yourself in an animal cage for the rest of your life. With no escape and no way of seeing your loved ones. There are better methods for education and conservation than keeping animals locked up in zoos away from their natural habitat. Visitors may learn more by watching a documentary or going to museums instead. Plus, if people want to see animals in person, they can travel the world and see the animals in their natural environment instead of going to man-made habitats. This is wrong because most animals are prisoners in their own cages, and they don't get to run free in the wild or eat as they like, therefore their food chain changes. However, animals may experience psychological trauma when they are separated from family members and locked away in isolation. Also, removing animals from the wild puts their entire species at risk for extinction.
The reasons that animals are held in captivity could favor some people and others not. Animals in captivity are usually held for entertainment, education, research, and conservation purposes. The other major reason they are held in captive is the process of rehabilitation. The article, Ethical Issues, defines rehabilitation as the treatment of wild animals found injured or ill, taken into captivity until restored to full health and then returned to the wild. Then when the animal is released they are then able to live freely in their own habitat. Although this may lead to suffering and stress or even death for the animal. The animal is so dependent on their caretaker that once they are put into the wild they do poorly (1).