I have an extreme love/hate relationship with zoos and their existence. I love animals! There is no doubt about that. I love all animals (even snakes, though it has to be from a distance). Throughout our travels, I almost always make it a point to stop at a local zoo or wildlife center. I’ve even visited some farms and animal sanctuaries. I am a huge advocate of the preservation and conservation of all animals. Where does my struggle stem from then? Well, I don’t know how right it is to keep animals in captivity.
Conservation is something that exists because of humans. I don’t mean that we are the only species that puts forth the effort to help out other species. I mean that if it were not for mankind destroying habitats and sucking up every single resource that we can get our greedy little hands on, there would be no real need to put forth such an effort. Animal populations would pretty much keep each other in check. We poach creatures for their furs and bones, we wreck their homes to build our shopping malls and homes, we capture creatures for our own idle entertainment in circuses and parks, and we use them thoughtlessly in experiments. We are the enemy.
We aren’t all bad though. There are many people out there that rescue animals. Zoos and sanctuaries do research and have breeding programs to ensure that animals near extinction have a chance to repopulate. There are many kind-hearted folks that care enough to donate not just cash, but time and energy to help animals and restore their habitats. Rehabilitation centers are popping up all over the world for all kinds of creatures. Education centers are becoming more popular and wildlife tours are taking flight as well. Teaching people to care about the animals of today so that they will be there tomorrow.
My internal struggle though is that despite all these positives we are still keeping these animals in captivity. Yes, there are no poachers or predators in a zoo, but there is no way to tell if an animal is content or not. These creatures need room to roam.
It saddens me to tears to think of the life some animals live in captivity, however others can be quite happy. Heck, my dog is technically living a life in captivity and trust me, she is pretty happy, but she is also a domesticated breed, not a wild animal.
This guy may look happy, but would he be more content roaming the plains of Africa with some of his zebra buddies even with the threat of hunters and predators. Zoos give us the opportunity to see animals up close that most people would never get the chance to see in the wild. They educate us, not only about the adorable animals, but also about the plight they face in the wild. I can honestly say that seeing animals in zoos and sanctuaries has given me the understanding and respect that I have to never intentionally injure a living creature…but is that really worth it to that individual animal behind the glass?? :(
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Lauren,
When I was younger and didn’t know better I loved the zoo. Now unless it’s a wildlife park like in San Diego, I will not go. And even that has drawbacks. Zoos with animals locked in cages and bars totally disgust me and make me want to throw up.
Mike
Yeah, I have a hard time with zoos. I don’t think animals should be locked up for our gratification. The real way to love them is to give them their freedom.
Like Mike said, when I too was younger I loved zoos and didn’t give it a second thought that the animals were in cages. It wasn’t until I was on my first big trip at the ripe old age of 19 when I travelled to Taiwan for an exchange program did it dawn on me. I was with a boy (from South Africa no less) and we visited a zoo and the enclosures were about the size of my bath room at home. The lions could barely walk around in a circle and the bottom of the enclosures were made of the same bars as the sides of the enclosure so their feet were uncomfortable. All they did was lie there. We were disgusted and left – my date even more so, coming from a place where the animals are free to roam…
I so resonate with this article, the internal struggle of preserving a species but putting them in captivity to do so. Yes they are regularly fed and taken care of but that urge to roam free – I know it so well myself as a travel writer and that just hit me when I read it in your post. Sure I have a great home and food daily – but I want to be free!
Be free Sharon! :) People were meant to roam. I can’t imagine going back to my “caged” life.
Thank you for putting into words the same emotions I have. I really don’t know what the right answer is. I know that there are many well respected zoos that actually rescue animals from far less well managed facilities. But I think overall our money would be better spent visiting national parks and supporting the efforts of wildlife rangers so we can see the animals in their natural habitat and help continue to support conservation efforts.
Vanessa,
It’s getting harder and harder for me to decipher from the places that do good and the places that are just out for profit. It saddens me deeply.
Walking a thin line… it is always the case when we deal with animals. Very interesting.
You are so right! We struggle with this very thing anytime we travel and include a zoo, which seems to be a usual (and sometimes Free) stop for us.
Our favorite so far has been the Kansas City zoo. You can tell they really try and make nice habitats for the animals.
Lauren, I’m with you. I really can’t do zoos. Even the “best” zoos just make sad. Yes, I’ve been to some of the “best” (San Diego, etc), but it’s just not for me.
So true that it is a struggle. The list of endangered and extinct animals is just getting bigger and bigger, but I agree with Mike that it’s better to see them in a wildlife park. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
As ive got older ive struggled with zoos and Animals being in captivity but when I look back on my childhood I realise that without School visits to Zoos we would not learn and understand the importance of preserving endangered species. It would be great if wildlife parks could replace the zoos