Do zoos represent an educational opportunity beneficial for both humans and the furred, scaled, and feathered occupants, or do they create another example of speciesism and disregard for the well-being of animals? In this long seated debate the most typical arguments for zoos remain their educational benefits, breeding programs, and the improvements in life span evident in some captive bred species. However, the question must be raised regarding if these benefits outweigh the potential harm or stress these animals face due to their unnatural environmental circumstances.
Despite the fact that zoos can be a typical family getaway, allowing tourists to enter zoos for educational purposes may be against the best interest of the animals. Visitors can often be a source of stress for animals, especially when viewed from above. Prey animals may be instinctually reminded of birds of prey when viewed from above, while predators may become stressed due to the unfamiliar sounds, smells, and movements of people. According to Zoo Animal Welfare Education, "other studies have concluded that the constant presence of unfamiliar people can produce stress and have a negative impact on welfare". In addition, zoo keepers often have to be vigilant to ensure visitors do not attempt to feed animals and dispose of their litter improperly.
According to Conservation Physiology, in the wild, animals would have unlimited space to roam, explore, hunt, and encounter situations that require problem solving. Although humans may see a zoo enclosure as wide and expansive, when an animal remains confined to a certain area for its entire life with little stimulation, they can become very restless. While boredom may not seem like a big problem, it has been proven to be an animal welfare issue rather than a simple inconvenience. When an animal doesn't get enough mental stimulation or experiences chronic boredom, they may show many unnatural symptoms. These symptoms may include pacing back and forth, repetitive actions, difficulty sleeping, constant self grooming. Other harmful behaviors include ripping fur, chewing or biting skin, and even depressive symptoms which can cause the animal to stop seeking ways to alleviate boredom and become inactive which can cause a variety of other health issues. Even animals with more "enriched" enclosures that contain objects for climbing, water to swim in, passages, and objects to chew on may still suffer symptoms of chronic boredom due to the confined space once their surroundings become familiar to them. Prolonged symptoms of boredom can cause persistent low mood and potentially shorten an animal's life span.
Although many species have extended life spans in zoos due to lack of predators and exposure to nature's hardships, this does not ensure these animals have the best quality of life. It makes no sense to appreciate these animals while simultaneously disregarding their needs. Humans put their own interests over other species causing animals to continue to suffer not only in zoos, but in meat industries, pet trades, and in nature itself as humans continue to destroy their habitats and pollute their land.
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