Our fascination with wild animals is nothing new. Since as far back as 1250 B.C., zoos have entertained millions with exotic animals behind bars, but we’re not living in the dark ages anymore.
Despite claims that zoos play an important role in conservation and education, they are unnatural and inherently cruel. To put it simply, they do more harm that good.
From a young age we have been going to zoos. When people look back to zoos they think about a wonderful and magical place. But are we just being short sighted?
We should oppose zoos because cages and cramped enclosures at zoos deprive animals of the opportunity to satisfy their most basic needs. The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed, and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws zoo visitors and boosts revenue. But the animals’ fate is often bleak once they outgrow their “cuteness.” And some zoos still import animals from the wild.
In general, zoos and wildlife parks preclude or severely restrict natural behavior, such as flying, swimming, running, hunting, climbing, scavenging, foraging, digging, exploring, and selecting a partner. The physical and mental frustrations of captivity often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior, such as incessant pacing, swaying, head-bobbing, bar-biting, and self-mutilation.
Proponents of zoos like to claim that zoos protect species from extinction—seemingly a noble goal. However, wild-animal parks and zoos almost always favor large and charismatic animals who draw large crowds of visitors, but they neglect less popular species that also need to be protected. Most animals in zoos are not endangered, and while confining animals to zoos keeps them alive, it does nothing to protect wild populations and their habitats.
Returning captive-bred animals to the wild is, in most cases, impossible because animals who are reared in zoos are denied the opportunity to learn survival skills, can transmit diseases to their wild counterparts, and often have no natural habitat left to return to because of human encroachment. Breeding programs simply produce cute baby animals to attract zoo patrons and generate revenue, creating a surplus of unwanted adult animals. As a result, zoos often become extremely crowded, and older animals may be “warehoused” behind the scenes or shuffled off to shabby roadside zoos, animal dealers, or auctions.
Even after people are aware of this cruelty that is going on millions of people still visit zoos. A popular elementary school field trip is to the zoo, and it encourages children to visit the zoo more often. How do we humans find enjoyment out of animals being forced to live in a cage or small habitat? What have these innocent animals ever done to deserve this cruelty?
I am officially boycotting all zoos. After all life is short and nobody deserves to be stripped from their freedom. Show zoos that you don’t believe in their cruel practices by boycotting them, and instead choose to support animal friendly entertainment and educational activities.
You can also visit these amazing organizations to learn more about how we can help minimize animal cruelty:
Why do you not let Tigers and Lions out to freely wander about Calgary