Well over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums each year. However, there have been recent reports that reveals that not all zoos and aquariums are the same. For example, Sea World has been under fire for the past several years for unethical practices of capturing and keep their orca whales ever since documentaries like Blackfish (2013) had come out. Zoos have been called out for their unsuitable exhibits for their animals. Even our own Oregon Zoo has been exposed for using concrete grounds for the elephant exhibits which causes extreme pain for the elephants are they weigh so much, stand on the concrete for many hours, and even getting foot disease leading to an early death. The ethical question it raises is, it ethical to keep wild animals in zoos for human viewing pleasure the expense of the animals well being? People have been putting animals in zoos since the ancient Greek times to profit off of humans wanting to view exotic animals. While some zoos have ethical practices in regards to the treatment and acquiring …show more content…
The Guardian’s article by Dave Hone titled “Why Zoos Are Good” states that zoos help keep endangered species from going extinct by having breeding programs for those animals. This would ensure that endangered animals would be kept alive at least in captivity. The Association of Zoos & Aquariums argues that zoos promote education about the animals which in turn promotes conservation efforts for the animals in the wild. Lucy Siegle's article “How Ethical is it to Visit the Zoo” brings up the point that zoos are ethical because many zoos fund research or participate in programs that helps protect animals. many zoos donate a portion NPR’s article by Melissa Block defends zoos by stating that zoos foster the public’s, especially young children interest in exotic animals which will create a new generation that will be more lenient towards conservation efforts in the
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
Peoples Trust has provided me with an extreme amount of information on why zoos are beneficial through their “Zoos & Conservation article.” Peoples Trust has pointed out that not every zoo mistreats their animals, but never took into consideration how the animals themselves may undergo, and what is being taken away from them.
Have you ever seen an animal sitting in a cage all alone with nothing to do. Well, zoos are trying to change that fact. They will allow the animals to live in an environment that is like their home. Many people don't realize this, but zoo are keeping and breeding these animals because they would not survive in the wild alone. In the three passages, ¨The Stripes Will Survive,¨ ¨The Zood Go Wild from No More Dodos,¨ ¨Our Beautiful Macaws and Why They Need Enrichment.¨ All of these articles present one claim, that is that the role of zoos is no longer to keep animal, but to protect them.
Captive breeding programs are what make zoos ethical, but several problems need to be confronted. Zoos operate captive breeding programs in which they take animals from the wildlife and breed then in a scientifically controlled environment. They have saved several species from extinction such as the Red Wolf and the Przewalski Horse, and are aiding many others such as the blue-crowned laughing thrush. Before the breeding program saved the Red Wolves from extinction, there were only 14 pure breed Red Wolves remaining. When a species gets endangered it goes on the Species Survival Plan program. There are two issues that I came across during my research. Firstly, some zoos are taking advantage of several species to generate revenue. Cohn said that “to get more white tigers, zoo managers in India and the United States in the 1950s mated fathers with daughters, granddaughters, and even, on occasion, great granddaughters. (Cohn 654)” The question is whether this is ethical? After reading this I felt...
Some supporters even acknowledge the ethical problems zoos face, but choose to ignore them for what they believe is the overall positive impact on society. In “Why zoos are good” Dr. Dave Hone highlights education as one of the main reasons he supports zoos, mentioning how many people who live in cities may never get to experience wild animals if it weren’t for zoos. Hone states educational videos and documentaries are an option, but they “pale next to seeing a living creature in the flesh, hearing it, smelling it, watching what it does and having the time to absorb details” (Hone). Not only do zoos provide interactive learning opportunities and a direct opportunity to experience how animals behave in the flesh, Hones notes zoos can be educational elsewhere, as a significant amount of work is being sent to conservatives to help educate others on how to improve conditions for the animals.
Zoos also help endangered animals by keeping them safe from predators, and feeding them. Although keeping animals in the wild is good, animals should stay in zoos for the reason that They are keeping animals from going extinct, the captive animals live longer than animals in the wild, and zoos are always improving to fit the animals needs. Animals should stay in zoos because they keep endangered animals from going extinct. Some animal species are having more deaths than births, so that means there are very few of that animal left. Zoos take these animals in, and breed them to repopulate the species.
Zoos are not beneficial because they are unsafe and they do not have good practices. Also, since animals are similar to humans, they should have some of our basic rights. Zoos are unsafe for many different reasons, but one important reason is it has lead to many injuries. As stated in the article “Animal-rights group complains about Pittsburgh Zoo elephants”, “46, year old handler Mike Gatti, was killed when a mother elephant pushed her head on his chest
In the film, Madagascar, zoos are depicted as a sanctuary in which all the exotic animals are kept safe and are open for the public to view. But many would argue that zoos are inhumane, the charging of animals for our personal entertainment is unjustifiable. Those who believe that zoos are wrong and should be destroyed are animal rights activists; they believe that animals should be allowed to choose their own destiny. Those that believe that zoos are an important part of our lives are scientists and zoologists. This debate has gone on for generations and average folk are stuck in the middle, not knowing which side to stand on.
Zoos and aquariums are not putting animals in captivity without a driving purpose. Although not a perfect solution, society should view zoos and aquariums as a bulwark against the world’s extinction crisis. These conservation centers are commonly associated with brutality and unethicality, when in reality they’re offering a great deal of care and hospitality towards the animals. Conserving animals in an artificial environment is a way to restore the damage we’ve done towards their ecosystems. This is done while ensuring the animals being safeguarded receive the care and compassion they deserve.
Firstly, you’re saving animals lives from predators. Would you like to see a baby gazelle being mauled by a lion? Zoos protect and care for all the animals in danger and keep them safe from being eaten or attacked by their predators. Research has shown that many animals are being brought in zoos for they’re almost becoming extinct.
Zoos provide a great educational experience. On the other hand, zoos help protect animal species through breeding programs. For instance, if a species is on the verge of extinction, zoos can easily solve this problem. Zoos are able to fix this problem by putting these animals in breeding programs.
Even though some zoos have an endangered species exhibit with the intention of protecting and rehabilitating animals, many do not do an adequate job of protecting the animals. Zoos have been harmful to the very animals they have sworn to protect. Animals in captivity often suffer from anxiety, boredom and other severe issue related to prolonged confinement. Most animals are unable to thrive in small enclosure with unnatural weather and climates. For example elephants are known to walk as far as 30 miles per day, but the association of Zoos and aquariums only require a space the measures $0 feet by 45 feet, which is about the size of a three car garage, to house these large animals. (peta.org) the drastic difference in the amount of space their allowed ...
Did you know that zoos save endangered and non-endangered animals from dying? If you didn’t know that, well it’s true. Plus if they have trouble mating in the wild, zoos help them. Odd, but, true. People talk about these things all the time and in a debate people even say “nature is far more dangerous and cruel than the zoos we go to.”
Furthermore, zoo animals are often exposed to chemicals, solvents and other toxic substances. Finally, it is common for visitors to tease and provoke caged animals. In conclusion, therefore, it is not true to say that zoos are educational or they help to protect endangered species.
Zoos bring human kind closer to wild life. Though, sometimes that means taking the animal out of its natural habitat. Some animals have lost most of their habitat and are on the verge of extinction. In this way, the zoo helps the animals rather than using them as a form of human entertainment. Zoos also allow humans to study different kinds of animals more closely. Some zoos on the other hand manipulate the animals to acquire as much revenue as possible rather than being concerned with the welfare of each animal.