Zoos must be abolished
View
Zoos educate the public and foster an appreciation of the animals by bringing the people and the animals together. The exposure and knowledge motivate people to protect the animals. There are many endangered species that fall prey to poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators, Zoos provide them a safe environment, where they are protected from such dangers. Many Zoos also have breeding programs for endangered species. In the wild, these animals might have trouble finding mates to breed. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredit reputed Zoos which hold high standards for their treatment of the animals. According to the AZA, accreditation means, "Official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts."A good zoo provides an enriched habitat wherein the animals are never bored, are well cared-for, and have plenty of space. Visiting zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a wholesome, family activity. Seeing an animal in person is a much more personal and memorable experience than seeing that animal in a nature documentary. Some would argue that humans have little, if any duty to non-human animals because humans are more important, and if keeping animals in zoos serves any educational or entertainment purposes, it serves a purpose to the humans, even if that purpose is not beneficial for the animals. Rehabilitation of wildlife as well as caring for exotic pets that are no longer wanted or not taken care of, are taken over by some zoos. The Federal Animal Welfare Act establishes standards for care for both accredited and unaccredited animal exhibitors.
Kaushik Ramesh
Counter View
We do not have a right to breed, capture and confine other animals, even if they are endangered from an animal rights standpoint. Being a member of an endangered species does not mean that the animals have fewer rights. Animals in captivity suffer from stress, boredom, and confinement. Intergenerational bonds are broken when individuals get sold or traded to other zoos and not even a drive-through safari can compare to the freedom of the wild. Baby animals bring in visitors and money, but this incentive to breed new animals leads to overpopulation. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos, but also to circuses, canned hunting facilities, and even for slaughter. Some zoos just kill their surplus animals outright. The vast majority of captive breeding programs do not release animals back into the wild. The offspring are forever part of the chain of zoos, circuses, petting zoos, and exotic pet trade that buy, sell and barter animals among themselves and exploit them. Ned the Asian Elephant was born at an accredited zoo, but later confiscated from an abusive circus trainer and was finally sent to a sanctuary. Removing individuals from the wild will further endanger the wild population because the remaining individuals will be less genetically diverse and will have more difficulty finding mates. If people want to see wild animals in real life, they can observe wildlife in the wild or visit a sanctuary. A true sanctuary does not buy, sell, or breed animals, but takes in unwanted exotic pets, surplus animals from zoos or injured wildlife that can no longer survive in the wild. If zoos are teaching children anything, it's that imprisoning animals for our own entertainment is acceptable. Studies have shown that elephants kept in zoos do not live as long as elephants in the wild. The federal Animal Welfare Act establishes only the most minimal standards for cage size, shelter, health care, ventilation, fencing, food, and water. For example, enclosures must provide "Sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress, or abnormal behaviour patterns." Violations often result in a slap on the wrist and the exhibitor is given a deadline to correct the violation. Even a long history of inadequate care and AWA violations, such as the history of Tony the Truck Stop Tiger, will not free the animals.
In the case of zoos, both sides will argue that their side saves animals. Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. As long as there is demand for zoos, they will continue to exist. We can start by making sure that zoo conditions are the best possible for the animals who are confined to them and try to retain their natural habitat as much as possible.
Jeriel Samuel
View
Zoos educate the public and foster an appreciation of the animals by bringing the people and the animals together. The exposure and knowledge motivate people to protect the animals. There are many endangered species that fall prey to poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators, Zoos provide them a safe environment, where they are protected from such dangers. Many Zoos also have breeding programs for endangered species. In the wild, these animals might have trouble finding mates to breed. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums accredit reputed Zoos which hold high standards for their treatment of the animals. According to the AZA, accreditation means, "Official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts."A good zoo provides an enriched habitat wherein the animals are never bored, are well cared-for, and have plenty of space. Visiting zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a wholesome, family activity. Seeing an animal in person is a much more personal and memorable experience than seeing that animal in a nature documentary. Some would argue that humans have little, if any duty to non-human animals because humans are more important, and if keeping animals in zoos serves any educational or entertainment purposes, it serves a purpose to the humans, even if that purpose is not beneficial for the animals. Rehabilitation of wildlife as well as caring for exotic pets that are no longer wanted or not taken care of, are taken over by some zoos. The Federal Animal Welfare Act establishes standards for care for both accredited and unaccredited animal exhibitors.
Kaushik Ramesh
Counter View
We do not have a right to breed, capture and confine other animals, even if they are endangered from an animal rights standpoint. Being a member of an endangered species does not mean that the animals have fewer rights. Animals in captivity suffer from stress, boredom, and confinement. Intergenerational bonds are broken when individuals get sold or traded to other zoos and not even a drive-through safari can compare to the freedom of the wild. Baby animals bring in visitors and money, but this incentive to breed new animals leads to overpopulation. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos, but also to circuses, canned hunting facilities, and even for slaughter. Some zoos just kill their surplus animals outright. The vast majority of captive breeding programs do not release animals back into the wild. The offspring are forever part of the chain of zoos, circuses, petting zoos, and exotic pet trade that buy, sell and barter animals among themselves and exploit them. Ned the Asian Elephant was born at an accredited zoo, but later confiscated from an abusive circus trainer and was finally sent to a sanctuary. Removing individuals from the wild will further endanger the wild population because the remaining individuals will be less genetically diverse and will have more difficulty finding mates. If people want to see wild animals in real life, they can observe wildlife in the wild or visit a sanctuary. A true sanctuary does not buy, sell, or breed animals, but takes in unwanted exotic pets, surplus animals from zoos or injured wildlife that can no longer survive in the wild. If zoos are teaching children anything, it's that imprisoning animals for our own entertainment is acceptable. Studies have shown that elephants kept in zoos do not live as long as elephants in the wild. The federal Animal Welfare Act establishes only the most minimal standards for cage size, shelter, health care, ventilation, fencing, food, and water. For example, enclosures must provide "Sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress, or abnormal behaviour patterns." Violations often result in a slap on the wrist and the exhibitor is given a deadline to correct the violation. Even a long history of inadequate care and AWA violations, such as the history of Tony the Truck Stop Tiger, will not free the animals.
In the case of zoos, both sides will argue that their side saves animals. Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. As long as there is demand for zoos, they will continue to exist. We can start by making sure that zoo conditions are the best possible for the animals who are confined to them and try to retain their natural habitat as much as possible.
Jeriel Samuel
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