Argumentative Essay: The Captive Animals

Sherry Yielding

Karen Sanders

1003

March 13 2016

The Captive Animals

Throughout history, man has captured hundreds of different species of animals. These animals are mostly used for entertainment purposes. Wild animals do not belong in captivity where they are stuck in cages for people to see, and for the companies holding them to make money. They are wild for a reason, because that is where they belong, in the wild where they can be free to do what nature intended.

Tenino was a one year old wolf pup who was captured because she was responsible for attacking livestock. She was chased down by helicopter twice and darted. She was relocated the first time to another forest but the second time she was sentenced to basically life in prison. Tenino was then used as a subject in a study to see the negative affect being in captivity had on her. Tenino experienced symptoms that resembled what would be called PTSD in

humans. She would startle very easily, she would stay as far away from most humans as she could get, and anytime an aircraft would fly over the compound she would watch it for as long as she could and not move. All of this was a result of the circumstances surrounding her capture.
There are times when an animal is captured to save its life, or to save a certain species from extinction. While people might think they are doing this animal good, sometimes the needs of the animal are not being properly met. For example, animals have to have adequate living space to roam, and explore as close to their original environment as possible. They need to have the proper nutrition and the least amount of stress possible. Some conservatories do not meet these requirements and eventually the animals will get sick and die.
Another example of an animal being taken from its home, is the famous Orca, Tilikum that was captured and placed at SeaWorld in Florida. This whale was taken from its mother when it was 2 years old and placed in a cage not even a quarter of the size of his natural environment. This whale was forced to learn how to perform for people and when the day was over, he was placed in a tank, even smaller than the one the public would see, with two other whales that constantly beat him up. The Orca Tilikum eventually started losing his mind, he became depressed and got very aggressive. The Orca became famous only after he had killed the first of three people.
“Capturing animals from the wild can cause them extreme psychological stress, which is often more detrimental than physical trauma" (qtd. Mallonee, Joslin). These animals live in their own world and respond to the environment based on their specific physiology. When they are captured it disrupts the animals Umwelt (or the way the animal experiences the world by them specifically.)(Mallonee, Joslin). Animals need to be in an environment specific to their species. They need the climate that they are used to, otherwise it causes them to get sick. In places like zoos and SeaWorld those needs are not being fully met. When it is a hundred degrees outside and the animal is use to being in a climate much colder it does have an affect on their physical well being. When they are taken from a place like the ocean where they swim 100 miles a day and are placed in a tank that is only 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide it has an effect on their psyche.
Animals deserve respect.

People are suppose to speak up for those who can not speak up for themselves. Protect those who can not protect themselves. All animals serve a purpose for our survival. They are all part of the chain of life. When we disrupt that chain many bad things can occur.

Places like Zoos will argue that they are keeping these animals in cages to protect their species from extinction. A study done shows that when a pack of wolves was reintroduced to Yellowstone after being absent for nearly 70 years, that it had a tremendous effect on the ecosystem. The wolves helped to control the deer in the area so the vegetation could flourish. Other animals began to migrate to the park, so there was more animals helping the ecosystem grow. So, keeping animals in cages actually has an impact on the environment they are meant to be in.

Tenino the wolf lived to be about 11 years old and died of a sinus infection in May of 2001. She never recovered from her scared and hypervigilant state. The Orca Tilikum is still alive but has a life threatening

illness.
All in all animals should not be captured and held in captivity for entertainment purposes. If it’s a matter of life and death or to save the species from extinction then we need some serious laws that will make sure these animals get the correct environment, food, and medical care they require. Otherwise it would all be in vain.

Works Cited
Mallonee, Jay/Joslin P. Traumatic Stress Disorder Observed in an Adult Wild Captive Wolf (Canis lupus) Journal of applied animal welfare science. (2004) 107-126 Lawrence Erlbaum Associates,
"Wildlife Assistance/Nuisance Wildlife." Wildlife Assistance/Nuisance Wildlife. N.p. n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.
Carter. N. 1982. Effect on psycho-physiobiological stress on captive dolphins. International/ journal/ for the study of animal problems. 3. 193-198.
Zimmerman, Tim. "The Killer in the Pool." Outside Online. N.p., 30 July 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.