would you say zoos are good or bad? i really cant decide. I mean, cause zoos im sure protect the animals, because if they were in the wild they might get shot and killed or hunted by other animals (even if it's illegal, im sure it's hard to keep track of and protect ALL animals that are free) But what if animals are treated badly in the zoos? and many of them seem to start going crazy, adn might be uncomfortable being locked up in a cage, without being fre, because even though it resembles their natural habitat, they know they aren't free, and might feel clasorphobic or something. Also, some animals habitats are probably being destroyed, so we can know that these animals are safe with having a home. these are not all the points i can make about zoos, i just cant remember anymore right now. how do you feel about zoos, and do you think they're good or bad?
I think it depends on the zoo. I REALLY disagree with keeping animals in small cages. I've gone to the Vancouver zoo, and honestly the animals look so depressed in their cages. Then there are some zoos that have miles and miles of space for animals to roam. Those are the ones I like. They give animals a healthy environment. I think it's good for endangered animals to be able to have a place to breed freely -- but only to an extent. I think that there is a point where alot of these animals should be introduced to the wild.
Yes, there's a big difference between zoo's. Some have lots more room for their animals than others! I believe they're doing a good job on education & protecting endangered species. For the first, it's good for people to see animals live and not just on television. Not everyone can and will afford a safari in Africa or Asia, yet if we want to protect the environment, it's easier to appeal to people who've seen the animals close up than when they're just something seen only on television, it brings it closer to the people, not just literally but also emotionally. For the second, many zoo's are part of breeding programs, keeping endangered species alive and often releasing some of them back into the wild. Which also means these zoos treat their animals pretty decently. While there are a few exceptions, most wild animals will only breed when they're treated well.
There are two sides to every story. This is what i have learnt from my Classes in animal behaviour. Zoos can be bad because of lack of space for the animals which can cause stereotypic behaviour such as walking the up and down the cage constantly every hour of every day. This physically and mentally stresses the animal out and can lower immune systems. No matter what size an enclosure is for an animal it will not compete with the wild as there will be boundries and plenty of food which is often dead. It is not possible to recreate this in a zoo. However, Zoos can be excellent. Enclosures should have lots of items of Enrichment (items that stimulate natural behaviour) such as hiding places for food, items to stop boredom. Zoos also sometimes run breeding and conservation programs with the money raised from admissions. Certain animals have been saved from extinction (from excessive hunting) by breeding programs at zoos and have been reintroduced to the wild. Zoos also teach us about conservation and having respect for animals. If you didnt see animals face to face you probably wouldnt care about them as much and you might not be as bothered about species being hunted to extinction. In my personal opinoin. Zoos are good if they give back to the wild and provide enrichment and space that the animals need. A national park kind of setting would be better for the animals as they will have much more freedom but this is not possible due to certain climates and predator/prey relationships.
so do you think that some need to be put back into the wild? i really have no idea where i stand on this
The whole thing that animals will not be able to survive if re-released into the wild is BS! Think of a domestic cat that is fed tinned food everday, if you put a mouse in front of it, it will catch it and if hungry it will eat it. The survival instincts of an animal will not die. Rainbow Cat, the main thing is you decide where to stand on this. There is no definate right or wrong answer...You dont have to be Positive or Negative about Zoos, You can always be Neutral by saying that they are morally wrong yet there is some need for them.
As I said in the Environment forum: I've recently done a module in management of exotics, which is basically running of zoos. I don't know about the states, but here in the UK, new legistaltion has really toughened up the way zoos must be run. From now on, all zoos must have a role in conservation and/or education. They can't just be places that hold animals anymore, they have to have a purpose. You'd be suprised how much goes into the running of zoos, and many are showing the initiative to give the animals environmental enrichment (making their enclosure mimic the natural habitat, thus encouraging natural behaviour). Okay, so zoos aren't the best places, and even the best enclosure can't completely mimic the wild, but until ALL habitat destruction and hunting are abolished off the face of the earth, there isn't much choice. Yes, reserves are great, but there isn't alot of room for them anymore. Remember, we have zoos to thank for the existance of Lion Tailed Tamarins and Black Footed Ferrets, to name but a few, animals which would now no doubt be extinct without their breeding programs. Animal rehabilitation really isn't as sucessfull as one might think (if I remember rightly from my lessons, there is something like a 80% failure rate), there are alot of failures. NOt because the animal can't survive, but because the main cause for that species destruction is still there, be it habitat loss, hunting or whatever. I'm not thrilled about zoos, but they are one of the few workable solutions we have at the moment. Blue Sky, you study animal behaviour too? Cool beans!
Yeah i'm doing my National Diploma in Animal management at the moment (which involves Behaviour classes) then will be doing my Degree in Animal Behaviour. Raibow Cat, Just remember it is your decision! Zoos dont have to be good or bad, they can be a mixture of the two.
Yup, that can be said of anything, you never have to make up your mind completely. Oooh, I did an ND in animal care, on my Animal Behaviour degree now. You'll love it, it's great fun
