Zoos are an unsuitable environment for wild animals and should be abolished. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos There are more humane and effective ways to conserve and educate about animals, and it is our responsibility to consider the welfare of all beings on this planet. The Chester and Whipsnade zoological parks where the first two non-urban zoos without cages and larger enclosures. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages where they cannot roam freely or express natural behaviors. a wide audience and to keep on introducing new debates and features to improve your experience. To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether zoos should exist, go to ProCon.org. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. (Foto: CC0 / Pixabay / aknourkova) Pros: When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoos began to engage in conservation programs. New to netivist? 916 Words4 Pages. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-1','ezslot_18',149,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-1-0');Hence, if you just want to see many animals but dont want to travel to other countries due to various reasons, zoos can also provide you with a great opportunity in this regard. Thus, zoos are also often not able to increase the populations of animals in the wild. However, through poaching, many animals have become endangered and may even become extinct in the near future. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. Source: This image was created for netivist.org. There are times when wild animals should stay that way. The animals are given special activities and nutrition that works with their instincts as well to give them the most natural existence possible. The American Zoo Association even stated that conservation was its number one priority. Their health degrades rapidly when conditions are not favorable to them, sometimes even incapacitating the animal under extreme circumstances. It changes the behavior of the animal. Learn about the pros and cons of zoos and join our debate and poll: Should there be zoos? 8. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-2','ezslot_21',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-2-0');In fact, some zoos offer a home for some quite exotic species that are barely existent in the wild anymore. Well, we have always seen animals inside the jungle with joy and grow as big and furious wild animals most of the time. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. Zoos can also be a great destination for field trips. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. In turn, chances are that those zoo animals are much unhappier compared to animals of the same species who live in the wild. In fact, those people often work in demanding office jobs for long hours and dont spend time in nature anymore. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. Of 77 elephants in 13 zoos, 71 were overweight and spent 83% of their time indoors, contributing to early death. Zoo is the place where wild animals are collected for tourist attraction, as there are several endanger species animals protected from extinction by zookeepers. 3. Vote to see result and collect 1 XP. At the time, these institutions accommodated nearly 800,000 animals and 6,000 species, with around 1,000 on the endangered species list. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living 25, 2019, Shelby Isaacson, Mote Ranked No. Are you experiencing any technical problem with netivist? Share it! 6. When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoosbegan to engage in conservation programs. [17] [18] [19] [20], 23% of birds and 47% of small mammals (weighing less than about 2.2 pounds) are negatively impacted by climate change. Moreover, those animals may often feel trapped since they have to stay in their cages and cannot navigate as they would do in the wild. the initial reaction of most people is rejection. The only effective and sustainable way to save species is to support schemes that target the root cause of the extinction and endangerment of animals habitat destruction. Should zoos be banned facts. The difference can be as much as 50% when comparing the lifespan of a wild species compared to one kept in a zoo. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. They opened in 1931. The contemporary debate about zoos tends to focus on animal welfare on both sides, whether zoos protect animals or imprison them. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living Zoos have a significant financial benefit for their communities. 17, 2019), Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Marine Mammal Conservation, aza.org (accessed Apr. 1. Moreover, you can also educate children about the importance of behaving eco-friendly, which is crucial to assure a livable future for them and for the next generations.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_24',196,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); Another nice thing about zoos is that they are often quite different. Moreover, these smaller, unregulated organizations sometimes possess animals procured through illegal trafficking channels, a serious global problem. Should zoos be banned facts. This rising need and the requirements of scholarly research led to the founding of the first modern zoos. We will help you do it! Furthermore, zoos often harbor non-native species unacclimatized to the local environment. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. Thus, especially in countries with lax regulations related to zoos, animals will often be treated quite poorly and in those countries, governments should introduce stricter regulations in order to protect these animals. Zoo confinement is psychologically damaging to animals. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. These facilities can provide an educational resource to their community. 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. Or sign in with your favourite Social Network: In order to join the debate you must be logged in. Zoos can be construed as a. Polar bears dont do well in tropical locations, even when they receive ice as a coping mechanism for the climate. Some zoos are unable to care for their animals. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-4','ezslot_23',198,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-4-0'); In fact, while animals will have almost unlimited space in the wild, they are often caged in rather confined areas in zoos. What other conservation efforts are important to saving wildlife? Even the best zoos can have animals develop severe health problems. Hence, also if you currently try to figure out what to do for your next field trip, going to the zoo may also be quite nice in this regard. What Do Wasps Do for the Environment? Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. As of Apr. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Activists are calling to ban zoos, and their voices are getting louder. However, many people claim that taxpayers money that is spent on zoos could be much better spent on other important infrastructure projects. Romesh Ranganathan, a British comedian, stated, It still slightly surprises me that anybody thinks that we should have zoos at all. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? Zoos should be banned worldwide because the animals are living in an unnatural habitat, the zoos kill or sell surplus animals, and zoos are not educational. Should animals be kept in captivity? Zoo is the place where wild animals are collected for tourist attraction, as there are several endanger species animals protected from extinction by zookeepers. Follow us on Instagram or Twitter! Additional rare animals which receive protection in U.S. zoos include the Addax, Amur tiger, Borneo elephant, and the Pacific walrus. Growing urbanization and industrialization led to heightened demand for new forms of entertainment. chose to work in zoos because they like animals, and wanted to work closely with them and help them thrive. 10 Reasons Why Zoos Are Bad and Should Be Banned Also, one of the biggest reasons zoos exist is not for helping animals in danger, but in fact breeding them for human enjoyment. A zoo cannot provide the perfect environment for every type of animal. There are times when a zoo is absolutely necessary to the survival of the animal. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 6 Powerful Prayers for Binge Eating Disorder, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Even when these facilities began to open to the general public, the purpose was still to provide an educational resource to the community. 23, 2019), Krista Langlois, Something Mysterious Is Killing Captive Gorillas, theatlantic.com, Mar. Predatory animals encounter a similar problem when they are kept in a zoo as well, even if there is no way to safely introduce them back into the wild. Web1030 Words5 Pages. Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. Over 181 million people visit zoos and aquariums every year in the United States,and 25 million in the United Kingdom. If so, how? You will not receive any promotional materials from third parties. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. 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. [40], Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. There are residency programs, veterinarian internships, and a variety of other educational opportunities which allow for a high level of treatment for the conditions which may development. The behavior of animals will change when they encounter long periods of captivity. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. Many zoos all over the world also work together and have cooperation agreements. [15], Zoo research is used in other ways such as informing legislation like the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, helping engineers build a robot to move like a sidewinder snake, and encouraging minority students to enter STEM careers. Zoos have more visitors than the combined attendance of the four major sports leagues (NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL). [30], Animal behaviorists often see zoo animals suffering from problems not seen in the wild, such as clinical depression in clouded leopards and gibbons, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in brown bears, and anxiety in giraffes. Another problem of zoos is that animals often only have rather limited space to move. Zoo advocates maintain that their efforts make a difference in wildlife conservation and will continue to have a positive environmental impact well into the future.