ZOOS ARE INTERNMENT CAMPS FOR ANIMALS AND SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN - FOR
In an attempt to reverse the inhumane actions of the past, zoos were established. These zoos claimed to educate the young and old about the animals it contained, and also alleged to be saving species from dying out by placing them on breeding programmes. However, this has been proven not to be the case.
The truth is, zoos are not put in place as a sanctuary for wild animals but for the amusement of humans. Like paintings in an art gallery, animals are merely on display for the ungrateful public. It is a fact of life that zoo goers are about as appreciative as a crowd attending a Junior B hurling match. What's more? At least they will remain for the full duration of the match - 70 minutes. As for the zoo goers, they on average would invest a mere 4 or 5 minutes of their time to gaze at the most exotic creatures of the world before them. "Appreciative audience " are the last words that spring to mind I am afraid.
Is this what these wild animals deserve? Apart from being denied the right to live, grow and reproduce in their natural homes, they are not even appreciated for the unique creatures they are.
Apart from the physical ills the animals have to endure, there are also the psychological. Animals in zoos suffer from limited enrichment as they need to have their minds active constantly and zoos do not fulfill this need. Tigers or bears pacing in their enclosure is stereotypical behaviour of animals in captivity when they are not stimulated enough. As well as that, one of the main problems is the constant human presence which is a stressor to most animals as it interrupts their natural behaviour.
More often than not, many zoos do not expend the resources necessary to handle the animals humanely. According to an article in Huffington Post, 11 rare Siberian Tigers died in Early 2010 in a Chinese Wildlife Park because the zoo could not afford to supply the tigers with proper food and care. These sort of zoos have no commitment in keeping the animals healthy as they are mainly interested in making a profit.
For these reasons, I believe that zoos are most certainly internment camps for animals and should be shut down. If you are truly desperate for an up close confrontation with a majestic lion, graceful giraffe or the laughing hyena take a trip to the Serengeti. Better still, grab the remote, switch over to the National Geographic and watch the beauty of nature unfold before your very eyes in the comfort of your own habitat, your home.
J.K (6th Year)