I don’t like Zoos, they depress me. I go there with very mixed feelings, Leilani loves to see the animals, and she doesn’t fully comprehend the lack of habitat, and the imprisonment of the non-domesticated animals. She can however feel the loneliness of some of the animals.
When Leilani saw the wolf she asked where his family was, and why he was all alone – and wouldn’t stop talking about it until we were far from his cage.
We spent a lot of time in the petting zoo, Leilani loves to feed and pet the animals:
Although it seems some animals have eaten enough already…
Jim found a friend:
Since I have been asked about zoos, and I am too lazy to re-write myself what others have said better I quote Adam M. Roberts, Senior Vice President, Born Free USA:
There is no overarching and conclusive educational benefit to keeping wild animals in captivity, and our collective focus must be the conservation of species in the wild.
In captivity, animals are kept in unnatural surroundings, in artificial physical and (often) social environments with little mental and physical stimulation. What is the educational benefit of seeing an animal exhibited in such a way that is dramatically removed from reality in the wild? The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ own research acknowledges that “Little to no systematic research has been conducted on the impact of visits to zoos and aquariums on visitor conservation knowledge, awareness, affect, or behavior.” Zoo visitors spend minutes at best—often just seconds—at an exhibit glancing at an animal. Perhaps there is some signage on the cage; perhaps it is more than a few bullet points. This is not educational. This is entertainment; and dubious entertainment at that.
And what of conservation? Tens of millions of dollars can be spent altering enclosures—with little practical effect for the animals. But that same money invested in conservation in the wild places where animals live naturally would reap benefits for years to come. $10 million dollars invested in anti-poaching efforts around Mount Kenya, for instance, could fund vital, life-saving conservation initiatives into the next Century! In an American urban zoo that’s maybe a single, modest animal enclosure. Put the money into the wild… that’s real conservation.
I understand quite well the allure of seeing wild animals up close. Tigers, elephants, and many other species are awesome to behold. But we don’t all have the right to behold them in person—especially at any cost. There is a grave cost to the animals—the innocent victims in this situation—and potentially a grave cost to any humans who are harmed by coming in close contact with these wild animals.
The time has come to recognize that wildlife belongs in the wild. The cost of keeping wild animals in captivity is too great. Parents should engage their kids at libraries, with movies, and on the internet, to truly learn about wild animals. And visit sites such as bornfreeusa to learn why we believe every American should be a compassionate conservationist!
