In the face of sharp criticism and loud calls for zoos to be banned, many modern zoos state that their primary function is to breed endangered species and reintroduce them into the wild. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. Should we boycott or ban zoos? Przewalskis horse is a success story for zoos because this species was believed to be extinct in the wild. Romesh Ranganathan, a British comedian, stated, It still slightly surprises me that anybody thinks that we should have zoos at all. Even when these facilities began to open to the general public, the purpose was still to provide an educational resource to the community. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. The most urgent issue is arguably the lack of uniform regulation. Where Do Mosquitoes Go in Winter and Why? A report out of George Mason University found that zoos associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums employed almost 40,000 people. This disadvantage occurs because there is no longer a need to hunt for their survival. Zooshave 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. In fact, every animal is different and needs individual treatment. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. They attract more than 200 million visitors annually, with special educational programs designed specifically for school groups. However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. 15, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Research and Science, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), C. Robinette, L. Saffran, A. Ruple, and S.L. In this article, well take a look at. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. The ethical dilemma around keeping wild animals in captivity is significant. 3. If you believe they should, consider whether they should remain the same or change. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living [37] [38] [39], Corroboree frogs, eastern bongos, regent honeyeaters, Panamanian golden frogs, Bellinger River snapping turtles, golden lion tamarins, and Amur leopards, among others, have been saved from extinction by zoos. 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. Is keeping animals in captivity a good way to ensure their future? We can protect some of the rarest animals in the world in zoos. Follow us on Instagram or Twitter! 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. In fact, many of us stay children deep inside and we may also remember many nice childhood memories. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. Although not everyone can afford a visit to their local zoo, there are still plenty of ways to learn more about the various animals who share this planet with us. [29], About 70% of adult male gorillas in North America have heart disease, the leading cause of death among gorillas in captivity, although the condition is almost completely absent in the wild. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Marine Mammal Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. This can lead to boredom, frustration, and mental health problems. 1 Nonprofit in Published Research by Top Zoos and Aquariums, mote.org, Apr. 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. That means a cycle of dependency begins that requires ongoing resources to maintain because that animal has no ability to live on its own. protect many animals from endangerment or even from extinction, Personal Brand vs. Corporate Brand: 24 Key Pros & Cons, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In (Retro) Video Games, 34 Major Pros & Cons Of Investing In Comic Books, Gold Bars vs. Gold Coins: 23 Precious Pros & Cons, 31 Cool Pros & Cons Of Owning A Classic Car, 24 Key Pros & Cons Of Unemployment Benefits, 32 Key Pros & Cons Of Investing In Trading Cards, 30 Precious Pros & Cons Of Investing In Art, Zoos can help to protect endangered species, Zoos do not provide natural living conditions, Zoos can raise awareness on global problems, Zoos are problematic from an ethical view, Takes away the need to travel to see animals, Not possible to return animals to the wild. 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 general, if animals are kept under unnatural living conditions, their behavior will change in the long run. 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. If you want to use it you simply need toattribute it bylinkingto this page or tohttps://netivist.org. Ten Days That Vanished: The Switch to the Gregorian Calendar, https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-zoos. In fact, psyche plays a major role for the life expectancy of many animals and if those animals get tired of their lives in zoos, chances are that their overall life expectancy drops as well. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? 7. 916 Words4 Pages. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. Jane Goodall, the famous British primatologist and one of the most important experts in chimpanzees in the world, has defended the role of zoos in helping us understand and preservethe life of wild animals (see video below). Banning smaller, less established zoos with little funding could be a practical first step to reducing harm to wildlife. How can we effectively protect the natural world? 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. As I went to university and got my Masters degree in Economics, I did plenty of research in the field of Development Economics. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Do the cons of zoos outweight their benefits? When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? Accessed February 21, 2023. https://www.procon.org/headlines/zoos-top-3-pros-and-cons/, Eight Reasons Zoos Are Good for Conservation, National Geographic, Zoo, nationalgeographic.org (accessed May 8, 2019), Schnbrunn Palace, Zoo, schoenbrunn.at (accessed Apr. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Many of them suffer from, In zoos many animals sicken and die because they, Many zoos do little for research or animal protection. Many animals in zoos also have a significantly lower life expectancy compared to animals who live in the wild. The shocking evidence of animal abuse in some circuses, dolphinariums and zoos have pushed many environmental and wildlife activist groupsto campaign for the closure of many of the institutions that keep wild animals in captivity. Web1030 Words5 Pages. The actual territory of some individuals and packs may be over 300 miles in width. If it contains abusive or inappropriate language its author will be penalized. We might be talking about animals who may not have the same level of conscious thought as humans, but how we treat other species says more about who we are than it does about the animals we keep. This advantage comes at the expense of the animals which are forced to spend their lives in an enclosure. Thus, if you are an animal lover and want to see as many animals as possible in a rather short period of time, chances are that zoos will be quite helpful for you. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. Animal cruelty or protection? From time to time, wild animals have to be caught and sent to zoos in order to sustain the populations of animals in zoos. 7. Only use this feature if you are certain this user has infringed netivist's Terms of Service. If you wanted to visit the San Diego Zoo in 2019, then a one-day pass for an adult will set you back $50. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. That said, a more uniform, robust, and compassionate regulatory system based on the humane care and conservation of wildlife would be a step in the right direction. Should zoos be banned facts. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? 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. Careful supervision of policies and procedures allows for trainers, visitors, and the animals to maintain a higher level of safety in every facet of care. Just look at a childs eyes at the zoo when he or she encounters a tiger or similarly majestic animal. [12], 228 accredited zoos published 5,175 peer-reviewed manuscripts between 1993 and 2013. Consequently, zoos can also be an important income source for many people in poor parts of our planet. In fact, many people only realize how important it really is to behave environmentally-friendly once they see all those fascinating animals. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Although the initial methods of retrieval were brutal, sometimes killing the parents to take the young one back for study, the overall goal was to extend human knowledge. Their health degrades rapidly when conditions are not favorable to them, sometimes even incapacitating the animal under extreme circumstances. However, many people claim that taxpayers money that is spent on zoos could be much better spent on other important infrastructure projects. Peter De Vries, Novelistif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-box-2','ezslot_4',613,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-2-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'environmental_conscience_com-box-3','ezslot_3',614,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-3-0');Zoos are quite popular in many countries all over the world. Already have an account on netivist? Thus, zoos can also be quite important to raise awareness of our global environmental problems in order to protect our animals as best as possible. Push for the position and policies you support by writing US national senators and representatives.

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