Zoos also give us a unique opportunity to see many different exotic animals without the need to travel to many exotic countries. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. Evidence of the existence of zoos and menageries can be traced back to ancient Egypt, circa 3500 BC. Another pro of zoos is their role in animal reproduction. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? 1. We are having trouble saving your comment. What people do not know is animals don't have the best interest in being in a zoo. Visiting the zoo requires people to have respect for the fences, borders, and safety enclosures that separate the animals from their trainers, keepers, and families. 916 Words4 Pages. WebZoos may also be problematic from an ethical perspective Lack of regulation of zoos in many countries Often not possible to return animals to the wild Some zoos are quite crowded Opponents claim that zoos are just for human amusement Shorter life expectancy of animals in zoos Some wild animals have to be caught to bring them to the zoo This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. In the US, California More Animal Pros and Cons; Should zoos exist? Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. Why Zoos Should Not Be Banned Even those prices are not enough to keep the zoo financially solid. Author Bio Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. The indirect spending that zoos provide for their communities are significant as well, adding another 62,000 jobs across the United States to support visitors. procon@eb.com, 2022 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Another issue with zoos is that there is often also only insufficient regulation of zoos in many countries of our planet. Here, we dive into what fair trade is,. 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. Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage Should Zoos Be Banned Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Animals in zoos are often kept in small cages where they cannot roam freely or express natural behaviors. Lets try to understand the pros and cons of zoos through the following arguments. A report out of George Mason University found that zoos associated with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums employed almost 40,000 people. Pros and cons of zoos: Should animals be kept in zoos? To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether zoos should exist, go to ProCon.org. [11], Robin Ganzert, PhD, President and CEO of American Humane, stated, zoos provide people, especially impressionable children, with the opportunity to see these remarkable animals up close. Then, targeted bans for specific zoos that do not satisfy firmer regulations might become an option. The oldest still operating zoo in the world, Tiergarten Schnbrunn in Vienna, opened in 1752. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the US had 230 accredited zoos and aquariums as of 2020. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This can not only save you plenty of money but also significant amounts of time. Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. To the question "should animals be kept in captivity?" [1] [2], The contemporary zoo evolved from 19th century European zoos. The best natural habitat enclosures are a poor substitute for the real thing. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_15',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');Zoos not only give us the opportunity to see many different animals, they are also important from an educational perspective. Activists are calling to ban zoos, and their voices are getting louder. Would you like to create a debate and share it with the netivist community? ", ProCon.org. It also means that those zoos often work together on research projects and share their latest insights regarding how to keep animals in zoos as naturally as possible. Should Zoos be Banned 2019, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Visitor Demographics, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), Maury Brown, Why MLB Attendance Dropped below 70 Million for the First Time in 15 Years, forbes.com, Oct. 3, 2018, NHL, NHL Attendance (1975-76 through 2018-2019), records.nhl.com (accessed May. 15, 2018, Association of Zoos & Aquariums, Research and Science, aza.org (accessed May 7, 2019), C. Robinette, L. Saffran, A. Ruple, and S.L. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? Up until the early 19th century, the sole function of zoos was to symbolize the power of royalty and indulge their extravagant tastes. Pros Should zoos be banned facts. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. The American Zoo Association even stated that conservation was its number one priority. Zoos are often used to exploit people, animals, and even communities. One of them is the confined spaces where the animals are forced to live in. In this article, well take a look at. This disadvantage occurs because there is no longer a need to hunt for their survival. As a result of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which exposed the psychological damage done to orcas by SeaWorld, California outlawed captive orca breeding. 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. Another problem with zoos is that staff members in zoos often dont have the required knowledge to take care of the different animals in a proper manner. Their health degrades rapidly when conditions are not favorable to them, sometimes even incapacitating the animal under extreme circumstances. Because poaching activities qualify as criminal conduct, most attempts are thwarted. Your comment is being posted. Please try again. Animals receive care from specialized trainers in zoos. Pro and Con: Zoos Many of them suffer from, In zoos many animals sicken and die because they, Many zoos do little for research or animal protection. 4. If you already created your netivist account, please log in using the button below. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinalls opinion that zoos are outdated and cruel.. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living 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. Banning zoos could go a long way toward halting this practice or at the very least reducing its impact on the natural world. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programmes at PETA, explains. You will not receive any promotional materials from third parties. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos 2022-11-17 Should zoos be banned facts Rating: 4,9/10 1414 reviews "Sab Din Hot Na Ek Saman" (meaning "Every day is the same" in English) is a common phrase that reflects the monotony and repetitive nature of daily life. Unlike their natural habitats where they can freely roam, these establishments keep them confined. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. [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. Zoos can excel when they have the proper funding to meet the needs of their animal population. The Roman Empire was founded in 27 BC, and many Roman emperors kept private zoo collections. Yes, there are several reasons why zoos are bad. These efforts have helped to reduce the risks of premature death in many species as well. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? Zoos save species from extinction and other dangers. 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. The animals would then be transferred to zoos where the proper care would be given to them. Przewalskis horse is a success story for zoos because this species was believed to be extinct in the wild. In turn, chances are that those zoo animals are much unhappier compared to animals of the same species who live in the wild. This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. the initial reaction of most people is rejection. 32 Important Pros & Cons Of Zoos They also aim toteach visitors the importance of animal conservation and mindfulness of the ecosystem as a whole. Should zoos be banned facts. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues. [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. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. Zoos are a typical form of family entertainment, but associating leisure and fun with the contemplation of animals in captivity can send the wrong signals to our children. See also how much gasoline is in a barrel of oil Are zoos good or bad for animals pros and cons? How can we effectively protect the natural world? If you believe they should, consider whether they should remain the same or change. In addition, visitors are allowed to get very close to them, which is notpermitted in larger, better-regulated establishments. zoos should be banned However, despite good intentions and considerable financial effort, the concept of zoos is nonetheless seriously problematic. There were only nine California condors in the wild in 1985. Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. WebThey dont have to worry about safety in zoos as they are well taken care of. By having these animals in zoos, there is another layer of protection given to these hunted species so that their survival chances are greater. 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. 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. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. In fact, animals often unlearn how to take care of themselves in zoos since they learn to rely on zookeepers to provide them with food and with all other things they need. 7, 2019), NBA, NBA Breaks All-Time Attendance Record for Fourth Straight Year, nba.com, Apr. Some zoos are unable to care for their animals. Although there are some around the world which continue to place their primary emphasis on teaching, research, and saving endangered species, more facilities are focused on the entertainment experience instead. In fact, many big zoos have hundreds or even thousands of different animal species and even if you search for rather exotic species that would never be present in your local area, chances are that you will find those species in zoos. Growing urbanization and industrialization led to heightened demand for new forms of entertainment. However, while those zoos may help to make some money for people in those regions, the conditions in those zoos are often rather poor since the goal is profit maximization and not to offer animals the best living conditions possible. Hence, especially for rare species, zoos can be quite important for researchers since they are often the only place where scientists can explore those rare species. New to netivist? This is due to the unnatural living conditions in zoos and also due to the fact that animals often get tired of their lives in zoos. Zoos have 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 turn, chances may increase that we can protect many animal species from extinction. 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. For example, roadside zoos throughout North America make their profit by attracting visitors to adjacent facilities usually on gas station lots. WebThe question whether animals should be kept in captivity or not is debated on many platforms and forums. Animals in captivity often develop dangerous and destructive habits due to the stress of living in such restricted spaces. Our whole ecosystem is also the life cycle of every living WebZoos may also be problematic from an ethical perspective Lack of regulation of zoos in many countries Often not possible to return animals to the wild Some zoos are quite crowded Opponents claim that zoos are just for human amusement Shorter life expectancy of animals in zoos Some wild animals have to be caught to bring them to the zoo Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. If they dont follow the rules, they essentially go out of business. Zoo Should Be Banned Should Zoos Be Banned Zoos Should Be Abolished Essay Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. Do you think that zoos are an effective way to increase awareness about animal life? Let's take a look at the pros and cons and whether zoos should be allowed to stay in business. Keep up the good work. Want to learn more about sustainability and the environment? In fact, due to quite poor living conditions, many animals in zoos develop serious mental issues over time. 1. This article was published on August 13, 2021, at Britannicas ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source. 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. Watch this video with Jane Goodall on the role of zoos in saving animals. 32 Important Pros & Cons Of Zoos This will allow us to keep netivist alive and available to When you keep the animal in a zoo instead, then they might have 1,500 square feet to roam, and sometimes even less. Opponents say wild animals should never be kept captive. All the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned I'm no big animal-rights campaigner, but I do trust facts delivered by experts, and the facts tell me that zoos are just a really terrible idea. ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Animal products like elephant tusks or shark fins create a financial market where the health and welfare of a species is secondary to the profits which are possible. As such, reptile houses, aviaries, and insectariums were added with animals grouped taxonomically, to move zoos beyond the spectacle of big, scary animals. Zoos It places enormous pressure on the mental health of many species, causing them to live much shorter lives than they would in the wild. This is not only true for children, but also for many adults. Even highly trained people miss an open lock or find themselves in dangerous circumstances with predatory animals, so there is always some level of risk involved. Animal cruelty or protection? Zoos pose several risks that particularly affect animals. When that possibility is no longer a choice, then this option might be the next best thing. the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Should zoos be banned pros and cons Natural Habitat and Animal Rights What Is Sustainable Development and Why Is It Necessary? While going to the zoo can be a great way to spend your time, zoos are often also quite popular and crowded and if you want to spend your time in a more relaxed manner, you may want to spend your leisure on other activities or attend rather unpopular zoos instead of crowded ones. Another significant upside of zoos is that they can protect animals from poaching. 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. 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. All rights reserved. The article, "Zoos: The Historical Debate" from Globalanimal.org discusses some pros (positive sides) and cons (negative sides) of zoos. Please consider making a small donation today. When ecological conservation emerged as a matter of public interest in the 1970s, zoosbegan to engage in conservation programs. Elephants become more aggressive when they are unable to travel and explore, which is caused zookeepers to euthanize almost 100 individuals in the past decade because of the danger they caused to others. Zoos are detrimental to animals' physical health. 21 Pros and Cons of Zoos Zoos provide 200,000 jobs with an annual budget of $230 million set aside for wildlife conservation. A zoological garden, which is sometimes referred to as an animal park or a menagerie, is a facility which houses animals within an enclosure and displays them to the public in a manner that is safe for everyone involved. Thus, in order to protect those animals from mental issues as best as possible, zoos should try to improve the overall living conditions of those animals and provide them with sufficient space so that those animals can live as naturally as possible. [40], Controversy has historically surrounded zoos, from debates over displaying exotic humans in exhibits to zookeepers not knowing what to feed animals. Learn about the pros and cons of zoos and join our debate and poll: Should there be zoos? Managing Editor WebCons of zoos Animal cruelty in zoos continues to be extremely common. 916 Words4 Pages. Often animals in such zoos are trained to perform tricks. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. Natural Habitat and Animal Rights This issue is indirectly related to environmental problems and is the source of heated debates taking place the world over. This long history of exploitation is a big reason many activists call for zoos to be banned. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. The Smithsonian Zoo is one example of many that works with local institutions to build programs at every post-graduate level to ensure the future safety of animals. Although there are efforts to replicate a wild habitat, a small display area is hardly the same as being free to roam. Opponents of zoos often claim that zoos are just in place for human amusement. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Reasons Why Zoos Are Bad and Should Be Banned This rising need and the requirements of scholarly research led to the founding of the first modern zoos. A childs ticket is going to cost you $46. 1. 3, 2018, Tse-Lynn Loh, et al., Quantifying the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, facetsjournal.com, Mar. However, this also implies that each animal will only have a rather limited space to live.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'environmental_conscience_com-leader-3','ezslot_22',199,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-leader-3-0'); While many zoos aim to protect our endangered animal species from extinction, some zoos just exist for the sole purpose of profit maximization. If you want to use it you simply need to, Vote and tell us why you find zoos good or bad. zoos should be banned Hence, you dont have to worry to go to the zoo from a social perspective since zoos are socially accepted in most countries of our planet. Zoo Should Be Banned If you change your mind, you can change your vote simply by clicking on another option. Largely modeled after the London Zoo in Regents Park, these zoos were intended for genteel amusement and edification, according to Emma Marris, environmental writer and Institute Fellow at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. WebUltimately, the decision of whether or not to keep animals in zoos comes down to a balancing of the pros and cons. Carl Hegenbeck, a German exotic animal importer, introduced the modern model of more natural habitats for animals instead of obvious cages at his Animal Park in Hamburg in 1907. When we look at zoo management, it is not unusual to take calves away from their mothers before they fully mature simply because there is a new marketing opportunity available somewhere else. 12, 2018, Brandon McClung, NFL Attendance Lowest since 10 Despite Chargers Rebound, sportsbusinessdaily.com, Jan. 2, 2019, Andrew Moss, Eric Jensen, and Markus Gusset, Evaluating the Contribution of Zoos and Aquariums to Aichi Biodiversity Target 1,Conservation Biology, Aug. 22, 2014, Robin Ganzert, Zoos Save Species Visit One This World Wildlife Day, thehill.com, Mar. After finishing university, I traveled around the world. Most zoos struggle to survive, which means the animals kept in those facilities are also at risk. Should Zoos be Banned Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures. Should zoos be banned, or do they serve a positive purpose? However, critics say this doesn't justify their existence. The pros and cons of zoos are often dependent on whether you view an animal as property or an independent individual. 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 might take a few seconds, please wait. Pros and Cons of Owning an Exotic Animal Animal Adovocacy Organizations to Partner With Zoos Do Not Offer Sufficient Space A tiger locked in its cage the Reasons Why Zoos Should Be Banned Should Zoos be Banned By Scott Woodsidecategories: Environment & Nature October 28, 2022, 12:00 PM. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos 2022-11-17 Should zoos be banned facts Rating: 4,9/10 1414 reviews "Sab Din Hot Na Ek Saman" (meaning "Every day is the same" in English) is a common phrase that reflects the monotony and repetitive nature of daily life. WebWhy Zoos Should Be Banned Zoos should be banned because they are cruel to animals. 9. There are many problems that come with keeping animals in zoos. Now some would argue we do the same thing with animals or try to hold communities hostage because of the potential financial gains that a well-run zoo can provide. (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. Zoos also pose a risk to animal health. In general, opponents of zoos also often claim that zoos are also problematic from an ethical perspective. ProCon.org is the institutional or organization author for all ProCon.org pages. These efforts have created a significant reduction in the number of attacks and accidents that occur. For example, the veterinary staff at the Bronx Zoo in New York alerted health officials of the presence of West Nile Virus. As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. In my opinion, keeping animals in zoos can be justifiable as long as animals are kept under rather natural conditions and are not caged in pretty confined spaces. 9 Reasons Not to Visit Zoos Most zoos got their start because local scientists wanted to get to know wild and exotic species better. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. That is typically a consequence of employing workers with little to no animal welfare or safety training. This is quite logical since every living organism needs suitable living conditions to feel good and to increase its population in the long run. Zoos can do an excellent job at conservation if they make the effort, but far too often profit is the primary motivation. Especially for those people, it can be quite important to go to the zoo and to see all those animals in order to remember how important protecting our environment really is. While there are many important advantages of zoos, the presence of zoos also implies some problems. Well, we have always seen animals inside the jungle with joy and grow as big and furious wild animals most of the time. Ever since there has been an increasing public concern about animal welfare in zoos. Abnormal animal behavior also puts zoo workers at greater risk for injury and death. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Many zoos conduct such studies, and also run captive breeding programmes for endangered species. Even injured animals can encounter this problem if their recovery time is lengthy. 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.