Zoos And Cruelty of Wild Animals
“Animals in zoos are confined in unnatural conditions. A cheetah, the fastest land animal, cannot reach her top speed of 60 mph when confined in a cage. An elephant, which may walk 17 miles a day in the wild, cannot do so in her tiny barren enclosure,” writes a spokesperson for the Captive Animals’ Protection Society. “The zoo industry may argue that such animals do not need to hunt or forage for food, or migrate with the seasons, but this simply reveals how unnatural a captive life is for wild animals. These animals are designed for a life in the wild, not for a life in a zoo for the amusement of humans. It is now down to the public to express their concern by avoiding zoos.” They are not alone in their opinion, either. Many animal rights activists also protest against holding animals in captivity.
Organizations like Animal Liberation Victoria rigorously debate zoos as positive forces of change. They argue that only 120 out of 5,926 endangered species are in breeding programs in zoos, not to mention animals like elephants and pandas are difficult to breed in captivity. Small populations may resort to inbreeding, which produces weaker offspring. The lack of survival instincts, poaching and habitat destruction threatens the survival of re-introduced wild animals anyway. Therefore, the argument that these animal exhibits promote conservation of exotic animals is a myth, ALV of Australia argues.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), is another wild animals protection organization opposed to zoological facilities, enclosed pens and wildlife spectacles. “Animals are often prevented from doing most of the things that are natural and important to them, like running, roaming, flying, climbing, foraging, choosing a partner, and being with others of their own kind,” their website says. “Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to interfere with animals and keep them locked up in captivity, where they are bored, cramped, lonely, deprived of all control over their lives, and far from their natural homes.”
“Freedom is the last, best hope of the Earth,” said Abraham Lincoln. The concept of freedom is a universal and enduring one. The idea that this freedom shouldn’t apply to wild animals because they are “subservient” to man is wrong. This devaluing of exotic animals’ lives has undeniably contributed to countless animal deaths and habitat destruction. Each year, so much public money is poured into zoos, many of which can’t possibly sustain themselves, given rising costs and debts. Organizations like ALV and PETA argue that this money is much better spent on preserves, anti-poaching efforts, habitat conservation and lobbying efforts.
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