Luckily for them, Born Free and PETA are all to happy to point out the negatives. Many zoos have breeding programs for endangered species. Seeing an animal in person is a much more personal and more memorable experience than seeing that animal in a nature documentary and is more likely to foster an empathetic attitude toward animals. The good news is that many zoos are doing this already, but perhaps it slips under the radar for the casual visitor. But the reasons favouring them are more. I know which I’d choose. So the bigger the enclosure, the harder it is for those exhibits to be seen. 31 There are some zoos with good conditions to protect animals, sometimes they live here better than living alone in the middle of nature. Most people ‘like’ animals and wildlife – especially folks that work at zoos. What isn’t debated, is the fact that 24 million people visit zoos in the UK every year. Both accredited and unaccredited animal exhibitors are regulated by the federal Animal Welfare Act, which establishes standards for animal care. But I’d say for many, there’s little difference except branding. From critically endangered big cats in the remote Dhofar mountains to biodiversity surveys in the Amazon and forest genetics in the high Arctic. Solution : Students are recommended to answer this question based on their interpretation of the question using the following points. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs. 59-73., doi:10.1089/fpd.2016.2185. asked by Derpy Pug on October 6, 2019; English. In making a case for or against zoos, both sides argue that they're saving animals. Top ten reasons NOT to visit Europe’s “Top Ten Zoos” We take an alternative look at Europe’s “Top Ten” zoos suggest why you should give them, and any other business which holds animals captive for money, a wide berth. Then there is the part zoos play in preserving endangered species – I for one would rather the northern white rhino lived in a San Diego Zoo than ceased to exist entirely. On the good side, it is possible to protect them from hunters. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. If you want to see animals, you should go see them in the wild. Doris Lin an animal rights attorney and the Director of Legal and Government Affairs for the Animal Protection League of New Jersey. One of the ironic things, is that PETA even has a list of criteria for a ‘good sanctuary’, which funnily enough matches, more or less, the characteristics of a good zoo. ), Big animals draw in visitors. The reason why zoos must exist is because without them countless species would have been or could be lost for good. He states that “fewer than 1 percent of zoo species are part of any serious conservation effort, with many being inbred and having little ‘genetic integrity’ and ‘no conservation value'” (All The Reasons Nolan). The increased interests in science and natural history saw the introduction of zoos in 1763, which facilitated up close animal studies and would provide a chance for entertaining and educating the public. The main points of the author’s arguments against zoos were that he brought in examples of animals being mistreated as well as the statistics of mistreatment. However, there are zoos where animals can only stay in small cages or they are beaten, tamed to serve visitors. Or maybe if there were no zoos it really would make more of us embark on that once in a lifetime trip to Africa… It’s hard to know. I thought I’d take the chance to highlight some of the things I think they could do better – starting with the very arguments used against them. To be occasionally informed of upcoming talks, enter your email address here.. #mc_embed_signup{background:#f9f9f9; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; width:250px;} Fortunately, there’s lots and lots of literature on this, and it seems like they do. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class. VICTORIA SACKVILLE-WEST The Greater Cats The greater cats with golden eyes Stare out between the bars. … Because firstly their environment cannot be replicated! Put it this way, would you rather see a caged tiger a dozen times in your life, or just once, wild, after a long arduous journey in the breathtakingly beautiful Ranthambore wetlands with the birds singing and sun setting. power point and will go over the first few slides, discussing the project and layout of the work we will be doing. Everybody has a different opinion on the issue with some advocating for the act while others are against it. Animals have their own special needs in every kind most people think they live cages but that is not true. On this topic, I’d recommend this excellent article. This response is not meant to start a fight or argument, but a hope that you may open up and see all of the amazing things zoos and aquariums so for animals. Zoos protect against a species going extinct. 33-39., doi:10.1111/cobi.13160. When You Walk Into a Zoo, Are You Helping Animals or Hurting Them? There are strong reasons why animals try to escape from zoo’s. Ans. Humans have kept wild animals for thousands of years. He says AZA is pushing members to get to 3 percent, but there’s no minimum required donation for AZA accreditation by the association. 2 See answers aarathy2002 aarathy2002 Answer: against zoos. I believe it’s the latter, but of course I can see how some people feel it’s the former. But with that being said, animal protection organizations and animal right advocates question and raise opinions against the concept of captivating animals, whether it be for educational purposes or breeding purposes. Deserts are there, and different skies, And night with different stars. In the UK, James is a passionate advocate for citizen science and regularly speaks in schools and NGOs to inspire and engage young people. So embrace the little stuff too – that’s arguably where zoos are doing some of. In conclusion, both the opinions are supported by strong points, but in my view, there are more pros of zoos than cons. Great! But lots of people can’t, don’t or wont. 2013. Baby animals bring in visitors and money, but this incentive to breed new baby animals leads to overpopulation. Be fussy, if you don’t agree with them, don’t go. Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class. And don’t go rushing to a zoo just because it’s had a baby panda/polar bear/tiger. Browse some resources that might be useful…. Zoos are a bit of a prison yet many animals in zoos have helped repopulate their species who is being hunted down in the wild. 3, no. Writing Page. Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. “Environmental Enrichment Reduces Signs of Boredom in Caged Mink.” PLoS ONE, vol. By bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and foster an appreciation of the other species. Zoos are a tradition, and a visit to a zoo is a wholesome, family activity. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos, but also to circuses, canned hunting facilities, and even for slaughter. Krasnec, Michelle O., et al. A zoo is a place where captive animals are put on display for humans to see. The AZA (association of Zoos and Aquariums) annually donates over $220 million dollars to conservation every single year. Which statement is shared by both "Zoos: Joys or Jails?" We need to have large enclosures that make the zoo close to the habitat the animals would be comfortable in. According to the AZA, accreditation means, "official recognition and approval of a zoo or aquarium by a group of experts.". Are Wildlife Sanctuaries Good for Animals? Because it doesn’t help encourage responsible behavior. Here’s my take: I’d like to see more spent on overseas conservation of the species they exhibit. Ecotourism, in it’s many flavours – if done right – can be a great force for conservation. So I’m very happy to advocate good zoos, and only good zoos from a conservation perspective (my article about the great stuff they do is here). Hey, I agree! Take a point of view for or against zoos, or even consider both points of view and write a couple of paragraphs or speak about this topic for a couple of minutes in class. Yet the stories come up again and again. Perhaps for many, it’s the zoo or not at all? However, after the passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, zoos began to refocus their goals … "Farm Fairs and Petting Zoos: A Review of Animal Contact as a Source of Zoonotic Enteric Disease." But for me it depends greatly on scale, and how well you can replicate the natural environment. The first efforts to keep wild and exotic animals for non-utilitarian uses began about 2500 BCE, when rulers in Mesopotamia, Egypt kept collections in enclosed pens. Modern zoos began to evolve during the 18th century and the Age of Enlightenment, when scientific interest in zoology, as well as the study of animal behavior and anatomy, came to the fore. Good zoos have high standards of welfare for their animals. a list of criteria for a ‘good sanctuary’. In making a case for or against zoos, both sides argue that they're saving animals. In any case, when it comes to zoos I’d turn to science, and ask the question: Does seeing animals in a zoo, make you more engaged with conservation in the wild? /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. While early zoos (shorted from zoological parks) concentrated on displaying as many unusual creatures as possible—often in small, cramped conditions—the focus of most modern zoos is conservation and education. Five of the Strongest Arguments Against Zoos, 8 Reasons that Zoos are Critically Important for Conservation, Tree Planting and Forest Conservation Charities, People go to see animals. Zoos have a poor track record when it comes to successfully re-introducing species into the wild and producing self-sustaining wild populations. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, vol. Animals including horses and dogs continue to be exploited in circuses in the UK. So the best way to influence the zoo experience is to be a discerning customer. Aspiring conservationist? To begin, I will display the Should there be zoos? Whether or not zoos benefit the animal community, they certainly do make money. “9 CFR § 3.128 - Space Requirements.” Cornell University Legal Information Institute. Today covers arguments against zoos, check back tomorrow for arguments in favor of zoos.. But at the same time, where a species is seriously endangered – for example the Amur leopard (~200 in captivity), Asiatic Lion (<400), I think there’s a great argument for captivity and captive breeding programmes too. So like it or lump it, let’s make those visits worthwhile. The jist of which is: “A few years ago Los Angeles Zoo spent $42 million on a new, six-acre enclosure for Asian elephants…” meanwhile… “…at many zoos, Boyle says, only 1 percent of the budget goes to conservation. 7, 2012, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049180, Gunasekera, Crystal Allen. 1. How Animal Rights Activists View Zoos Keeping Endangered Species, What Will Happen to the Animals If Everyone Goes Vegan, Save an Endangered Species Classroom Campaign, Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management, and Welfare, Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare Regulations, Environmental Enrichment Reduces Signs of Boredom in Caged Mink, The Ethics of Killing “Surplus” Zoo Animals, Limited Contributions of Released Animals from Zoos to North American Conservation Translocations. Now the difference between the good zoos and bad, is that good zoos work harder and harder towards making those experiences educational – or at least they say they do. Zoos deliver what the public wants. 8th November: Notting Hill and Ealing High School, 19th November: Royal Grammar School Guildford, 2nd December: Colchester County High School, 3rd December: City of London School for Girls. While the child survived and was not badly injured, the gorilla was killed outright. That’s the aspiration. Zoos play a huge role in protecting endangered species, and, when possible, reintroducing certain animals back into the wild. Answer: Zoos are both necessary and unnecessary for many reasons. Moreover, people visiting zoos get to know the animals from close and encourage research which helps in conservation for the wild animals. It depends, I suppose, which you think is worse: captivity or extinction? History. Reputable zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and are held to high standards for the treatment of their resident animals. Advantages of keeping animals in zoos: Its not just because that puzzle piece has it’s spirit broken and becomes institutionalized, its because the rest of the puzzle needs that missing piece. A very occasional email newsletter with expedition news, conservation resources and speaking dates. Browse recent pieces and find out more on the In order to be exhibited in the zoo enclosure, the animals have been extracted from the environments where they belong and without which they lose part of their identity. While zoo advocates and conservationists argue that zoos save endangered species and educate the public, many animal rights activists believe the cost of confining animals outweighs the benefits, and that the violation of the rights of individual animals—even in efforts to fend off extinction—cannot be justified. Over four continents people ignore warnings or accidentally get too take a point of view for or against zoos to animals, leading to horrific outcomes behavior. 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