Topic > Zoos and aquariums: how animals suffer in captivity

Captivity drives animals crazy. Zoos limit animals' natural behavior patterns, including migration and, in most cases, escape. Animals that avoid humans in the wild have no way to escape daily contact with them. Many animals in captivity develop neurotic and self-injurious behaviors, these are commonly known as “stereotypies” and “zoochosis”, which are rarely, if ever, observed in the wild. These neurotic behaviors can cause animals to take part in certain behaviors, primates can throw feces and eat their own vomit, some birds pluck their feathers, elephants often rock back and forth, tigers walk incessantly, and polar bears are often seen swimming endlessly. eight. "Aquatic animals also suffer; a study conducted by the Captive Animals Protection Society concluded that 90% of public aquariums had animals displaying stereotyped (neurotic) behavior, such as repeatedly raising their heads above the surface of the water, circling around a imaginary object, and frequently turning to one side and rubbing the bottom of the tank”. This shows that the fight does not only take place in zoos, but also in aquariums. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why video games are violent shouldn't they be banned"? Get an original essay Zoos often try to defend what they do by claiming that their breeding programs are under the guise of conservation, but many of the species that are bred in zoos are not endangered or threatened. L incentive for zoos to breed their own animals; cubs will attract more people to zoos. Very few, if any, of the captive-bred species that are at risk of extinction in the wild, such as elephants, polar bears, gorillas, tigers and chimpanzees , will ever be released into their natural environments to combat declining populations. Captive breeding replenishes zoo animal inventories and attracts visitors. Zoos claim to educate visitors about their animals, when in reality they are just exploiting them. Keeping animals in cages in no way encourages respect for animals. Numerous studies, including studies conducted by the zoo industry itself, have shown that most zoo visitors simply wander the grounds, stop briefly at some exhibits, and spend most of their time taking snacks and bathroom breaks . A study of guests at the National Zoo in Washington DC shows that visitors spend less than 8 seconds at each snake exhibit and only about a minute with the lions. The researchers concluded that people treat exhibits like wallpaper. Indeed, numerous studies have shown that exhibiting animals in unnatural environments can undermine conservation by leaving the public with the idea that a species need not be endangered if the government puts them on display and uses them for entertainment. A study conducted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) itself also concluded that claims that zoo exhibits could contribute to animal conservation “have not been substantiated or validated by actual research,” and the US Fish and Wildlife Service United States said this has “sincere doubts” about the conservation benefits of public wildlife exhibits and no longer accepts “education” as the basis for issuing Endangered Species Act permits. Keep in mind: This is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay There are many ways to appreciate animals and learn about them without even having to13316289505301