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Benefit of preservation of wild animals
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Animal captivity is a much discussed issue for both its benefits and detriments to the animals. Many people view animal captivity as a harm and believe that it should be stopped; however, what is not taken into account is its benefits. Animal captivity aids both animals and humans in multiples ways, but the majority of help animal captivity offers is through preservation of animal species, and education benefits that zoos and aquariums represent to man. The preservation of animals must continue so that generations to come can not only benefit from what the animals have to offer for the ecosystems they thrive in, but so that the human race can continue to further its understanding of nature for future use.
While some say animal captivity should be stopped because of how it damages the mental and emotional behavior of animals, the captivity of animals must continue on because of its ability to preserve wildlife, and the benefits it presents for education. Measures exist which can be taken to prevent damage to the mental and emotional behavior to these animals, and zoos and aquariums across the world take these precautions every day. Zoos like Riverbank Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina provide mazes and realistic environments in order to benefit the health of the animals. While it is not the real environment, it still benefits the animals’ physical and mental health.
Animal captivity aids in the preservation of endangered animals because of the care zoos and aquariums show to endangered species. Research done by M. Gusset and G. Dick of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), shows in a graph that the efforts done by zoos and aquariums have aided in the preservation of endangered species. Gusset and Dick surveyed multipl...
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...ultiple Diversity--Stability Mechanisms Enhance Population And Community Stability In Aquatic Food Webs." Ecology 95.1 (2014): 173-184. General Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
GUSSET, M., and G. DICK. "‘Building A Future For Wildlife’? Evaluating The Contribution Of
The World Zoo And Aquarium Community To In Situ Conservation." International Zoo Yearbook 44.1 (2010): 183-191. Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Hull, Debra B. "Observing Animal Behavior At The Zoo: A Learning Laboratory." Teaching Of
Psychology 30.2 (2003): 117-119. PsycINFO. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Randler, Christoph, Barbara Kummer, and Christian Wilhelm. "Adolescent Learning In The Zoo:
Embedding A Non-Formal Learning Environment To Teach Formal Aspects Of Vertebrate Biology." Journal Of Science Education And Technology 21.3 (2012): 384-391. PsycINFO. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
Animal rights have become a very serious issue here in the United States over the last few decades. One issue that has been discussed is whether or not zoos serve a good purpose or are they just a torture chamber for the animals. Locked up in small cages so people can yell at them and stare. Or are zoos the key to save our species in an ever growing human population. Rachel Lu, a philosophy teacher and senior columnist, writes the article, “Let’s Keep Zoos: Learning stewardship is a good thing.”, published April 18, 2014, argues that zoos are worth keeping. Rachel Lu uses her personal experiences to appeal to her audience that zoos are valuable to people especially young children because it gives them a perspective on nature.
Analysis of Argument for Ethical Zoos and How They Benefit Animals Due to the recent events in the Cincinnati Zoo, arguments have been sparked about the ethics of zoos. Most articles try to argue against zoos and closed environments, but there are those that still support zoos and the programs that they provide for endangered species. The argument “Zoos Are Not Prisons”? They Improve the Lives of Animals” focuses on the positives of animal enclosures and fights for support to keep zoos in business. The author, Dr. Robin Ganzert, ties examples of programs that zoos help create and what type of research is conducted in the zoos, to support his claims.
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
The practice of keeping wild animals in a zoo or aquarium is looked at favorably in most aspects but what we fail to realize is that we have placed animals which at one point lived freely in wide open spaces into captivity. Society is assuming these animals are happy to be taken from their natural habitat and placed in pens and cages because they have every need handed to them. David Suzuki asked “What gives us the right to exploit other living organisms as we see fit?” (681). Through selfishness, people have justified zoos and aquariums to be an educational benefit to children, to help them learn about animals, their individuality and where they come from. Zoos and Aquariums are for society’s personal entertainment not for the good of the animals and should be closed down.
On the other hand, animals kept in captivity not only have research done about them but it can also have a positive effect on their population. Being kept in captivity helps conserve the populations of endangered species. In a captive environment they are kept safe and away from harm. They can breed in captivity and keep the population growing. SeaWorld has bred many Orca Whales in captivity and hasn’t taken any out of the ocean in 35 years (Raja).
"How Zoos Are Saving Our Animals." – Features – ABC Environment (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 May 2015.
The first zoo in the United States was established in 1874 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia zoo first only had 813 animals but has grown today to have 1,300 animals, still having the same forty-two acres as it did when it first opened. Today there are zoos in almost every major city across the country and even more around the world. But along with zoos, there are marine parks and aquariums. The most famous marine park is SeaWorld, which has three different locations in the nation: Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio. Zoos and aquariums were first brought about to learn about the species that we live with on this planet. To be educated about the wild creatures who are so different from ourselves. Zoos and the caging of wild animals have been around for centuries, there is evidence from Egypt of rulers having wild animals as pets, locking them in cages, just like how today people have hamsters but instead, you would have a wild animal. Today, zoos are used for education to teach people about wild animals so that we can learn ways to conserve the planet and the animals’ habitats, in order to prevent more animals from becomin...
Fravel, Laura. “Critics Question Zoos' Commitment to Conservation.” National Geographic News. National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 13 Nov. 2003. Web. Nov. 2013.
Since approximately 1250 B.C., ancient Egyptians had created and practiced the capture and display of animals in what are now known as zoos (Fravel). Records describe such exotic animals as birds, lions, giraffes, and tigers in captivity (Fravel). Since then, zoos have continued to entertain millions with the exciting chance to view exotic animals up close and personal. Even in ancient Greece, exotic animals were on display in fighting arenas, and in enclosed viewing areas. Originally in America, zoos were just created so that royalty and the wealthy could flaunt their exotic animals to the public (Leolupus). Today, with species threatened and habitats disappearing worldwide, zoos are serving a new purpose other than the mere exhibition of animals – conservation. (Fravel). When you think of a zoo, you either think of a fun, entertaining place that provides close-up and exciting exhibits of wild animals that you would otherwise never get the chance to see, or a place where people keep suffering, unhappy animals captive just for entertainment and display. However, despite whichever view you hold, and despite the stereotypes, some zoos have evolved to serve alternative and helpful purposes. Although some zoos face controversy due to allegations such as lack of space and quality care, neglect, and cruelty, some zoos have programs specifically designed to help and protect animal species. For example, these zoos have programs that help such conservation efforts as breeding.
middle of paper ... ... Freedom is precious and animals are constantly suffering mentally and physically from the lack of freedom that captivity brings to them. Although many zoos are visited by millions of people annually, they still operate at a loss and have to make budget cuts. Funds that should be used to provide humane conditions for animals are often wasted on cosmetic improvements such as landscaping, refreshment stands, and gift shops in order to draw visitors, leaving the animals behind steel bars and glass trapped in a concrete jungle for no reason without hope of ever being free.
Mason GJ. Species differences in response to captivity: stress, welfare and the comparative method. Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 2010; 713-720.
Some people may argue that zoos protect animals and species under this polluted world, however, do animals in zoos really need our “help”? Yes, but surely not that many. According to Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS), 79% of animals in United Kingdom zoos and over 70% of elephants in European zoos are wild-caught. It seems that zoos need them rather than they need zoos.
Zoos display fascinating animals from all over the world for human entertainment, research, conservation, and education. Many scientists conduct studies on animals in captivity that they may not have been able to in the wild. Zoos educate all the visitors that come; they let people know everything that they know about the animals on display. We do learn a lot from these animals, but not all of the animals in the zoo are behaving like they normally would in the wild. Larger animals, such as elephants and orcas (commonly known as killer whales), have trouble with being confined in such a small area. However, many smaller animals benefit from zoos because they provide protection from predators, natural disasters, and poachers. They also benefit from conservation efforts; the babies being born get all the care they could ever need. Some animal rights activists are concerned that the conservation efforts are limiting the gene pool of the species. They argue that the small number of animals able to breed in captivity limits biodiversity and leads to weaknesses in the species overall. Zoos are wonderful places to study and learn about animals, but we need to improve the living standards for animals that struggle with captivity.
Animals should not be held captive in zoos because it is inhumane and unfair to the animals. There are so many records of terrible things that have happened to animals in zoos over the past few centuries, the go under the radar too often. Too few people even know about these animal care atrocities, and therefore the New York Times decided to bring light upon this situation. The Times did a first-of-its-kind analysis of 390 elephant fatalities at accredited U.S. zoos over the past 50 years (Berens 3). It found that most of the elephants died from injury or disease linked to conditions of their captivity, from chronic foot problems caused by standing on hard surfaces to musculoskeletal disorders from inactivity caused by being penned or chained for days and weeks at a time.
Is it okay for animals to be kept in captivity? How will they live their life again in the wild? Should zoos release animals into the wild? Animals everywhere are kept in zoos for their whole life and when they are released into the wild, they don’t know how to live their life out in the wild. Although zoos help animals feel better and heal, zoos should not keep animals, because when the animals are released into the wild again, they don't know how to live, eat, or sleep.