As a Zoologist, I wish we didn't need zoos, but they are a necessary evil. People wouldn't care about conservation of certain species without having experienced their beauty & strength up close. Also, because of poaching & habitat loss, zoos are a vital part of breeding programs to reintroduce animals back into the wild. Most recognizable zoos are all now AZA (Association of Zoos & Aquariums) regulated & keep animals in close to natural settings & are really for education & conservation. I really hope we would not need zoos in the future, but since humans keep overpopulating this planet & exhausting all it's natural resources, that's never going to happen...
I think zoos can be wonderful tools for education and conservation IF run correctly, this is to say, in the animals interest with the animals welfare being the number one, first and foremost concern. Good zoos can really further education and conservation. Bad zoos, focused on entertainment of the visitor are something completely different though.
Good zoos support conservation by supporting the preservation of biodiversity by participating in international breeding programs, conserving endangered species and maintaining genetic diversity of species that suffer from low population sizes, they may provide a 'gene bank' in case species go extinct in the wild. They may be able to replenish wild populations with captive bred animals, successful reintroductions include the scimitar horned oryx and the przewalski horse and the black footed ferret,
They fund field research and conservation efforts by supporting projects financially
They support education by raising public awareness and getting children interested in wildlife, making conservation accessible for the general public
They may supply staff or scientists to projects or conduct behavioural research of their own in a captive setting
On the other hand, bad zoos often compromise the welfare of many animals, especially wide ranging predators such as big cats, polar bears and cetaceans for instance, resulting in stereotypy and shortened life spans
Research paper by former SeaWorld trainers detailing stress and disease in captive orcas despite the alleged 'excellent veterinary care';
Education may take the form of miseducation propagating false or innaccurate information, dumbing down information for example information given on orca life spans in most aquariums is innaccurate as it may reflect badly on the aquarium
Interview with former SeaWorld trainer admitting she was giving false information about the animals:
When entertainment is the main priority, education is often ineffective and most people do not pay attention to it
Also, any zoos breed animals which may suffer in captivity under the guise of conservation but do not adher to breeding guidelines producing hybrids of subspecies which are useless for conservation and reintroduction and places like SeaWorld have actually been accused of conducting 'inbreeding' programs as their gene pool is so limited (again see interview).'wow' animals may be bred rather than concentrating on actually endangered species (eg. breeding of bottlenose dolphins)
Research may be centred around husbandry of captive animals rather than advancing knowledge on the animals natural behaviour. Captivity may also affect an individuals behaviour resulting in flawed data that is not applicable and therefore useless when transferred to wild populations.
http://youtu.be/NEvD-K_QdwM
This kind of stuff goes on In zoos IMHO
I have chosen to write a research paper for class on the pros and cons of zoos. Personally, before doing any research, I don't like zoos too much. I get that it is a good opportunity for people to learn about wild animals and see them in person, however I don't feel it is a good life for those animals. It seems that them being locked up in a cage and stared at by people is no way to live.
I just want to hear other's opinions so that I can see what people think from all sides.
Thank you!
