ipl-logo

How Do Zoos Affect Animal Behavior

1520 Words7 Pages

Whether mammals have the intelligence to detect the differences of their wild habitat or zoo exhibits has yet to be confirmed; however, there has been increasing research in the complexities of mammal behavior and how zoos affect them psychologically. Mammals in zoos today are forced to eat unfamiliar foods and live in enclosures where their activity and exercise is greatly decreased due to a lack of space. These mammals are intelligent, but the enclosures they are in now do not allow for them to be stimulated through hunting or activities. In order to combat the lacking habitats that zoos provide for mammals, which are generally too small and lack enriching activities that these mammals would normally receive in the wild, scientists have undergone new …show more content…

The new ideas developed from enrichment research help to stimulate natural behavior in mammals through changing feeding procedures and their environment. If mammals can feel the way that humans do, they also get bored like humans do and lazy like humans do. Mammals in zoos are there for humans enjoyment, so it is the humans and zoos job to better care for these mammals. Zoos can better provide for mammals scientifically through changing how the mammals feed, what they eat, and their enclosures in zoos.

An important aspect of environment enrichment is changing a mammal 's feeding habits to become more stimulating. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, giraffes are provided with alternative ways of getting their food such as placing their food in tree feeders. “The browse feeders let the giraffes feed as they do in the wild and allow visitors to observe the giraffes ' natural foraging behaviors” (Ben-ari). The aspect of allowing the mammals to behave like they would in the wild provides for a more realistic environment which benefits both the mammals and the educational purposes and conservation efforts of the zoos. Additionally, due to the more stimulating environment, the mammals display more

Show More
Related

  • Is Conservationist Muir Still Important? By John Muir, Ansel Adams, And Rachel Carson

    988 Words  | 4 Pages

    Jane Goodall’s research lets the rest of the world know that a chimpanzee’s behavior is very similar to that of humans. Humans and chimpanzees have evolved into two different species over a period of time. When she was a young girl, her father bought her a stuffed chimpanzee toy and it influenced her to become interested in animal life at an early age. From then on, she was always extremely curious and interested in how animals come to this Earth and how animals behave. One of the obstacles in her life was that her family could not afford to send her to college to get a good career.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Primates At The San Francisco Zoo

    1811 Words  | 8 Pages

    1.0 Introduction The question of whether primates in the wild behave similarly to that in captivity is constantly pondered in the scientific community. So, I observed two primates at the San Francisco Zoo to identify their behavior while in captivity and how they differ from those in the wild. In fact, the behavior of these two primates show a correlation with captivity, something one cannot find in these species out in the wild. It is important to understand the impact captivity is having on primates to ensure that the natural balance of their lives is maintained.

    Read More

  • Primates Argumentative Essay

    744 Words  | 3 Pages

    But little did we know that it indicates fear rather than joy. Zoo visitors smiling at them can unknowingly have a negative impact on their welfare. Additionally, primates that are being displayed in captivity show more behavioural signs of stress when they are exposed to a loud and noisy environment, which is common in a typical zoo or circus. Apart from that, placing more primates in captivity can produce a vulnerable generation of primates that are unable to defend themselves from a potential danger or predator.

    Read More

  • Primate Observation Report

    753 Words  | 4 Pages

    Studying captive primates can help us learn not only how they behave, but also how they are similar or different to each other and humans as well as give us insight into the effects of captivity. This paper will be describing, comparing, and contrasting the behavior of two species of captive primates at the Alexandria Zoo, golden lion tamarins and howler monkeys, as well as discussing the possible effects captivity could have had on them. This paper will also discuss any human-like behaviors observed in the two primate species and what we as humans could learn about our own behavior by studying primates. The two primates I observed were 1 of 3 golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) all of unknown gender and a solitary female howler

    Read More

  • There Should Not Be Zoos Essay

    773 Words  | 4 Pages

    Animals in captivity at zoos constantly struggle with problems including stress, boredom, and confinement (Lin). This piece of evidence explains that small habitats in zoos conclude to many health problems. The last way that zoos make

    Read More

  • Why Are Zoos Unethical

    1685 Words  | 7 Pages

    This proves to be significant because although some say zoos are educational they prove of no worth to the amount of information we as humans obtain. Also when children see how these animals were taken out of their natural habitats and put in synthetic homes it can damage the kids. For instance, there have been cases of bacterial infections that could possibly put the children and adult sin danger. On example of this is e. coli bacteria which can be found in some reptiles areas in the zoo. If people make contact with these animals they can catch this sickness which can lead to potential death.

    Read More

  • Should Zoos And Aquariums Should Be Banned?

    1284 Words  | 6 Pages

    Imagine living in the perfect home, the place you’ve always lived with friends, family and thousands of miles to roam around and explore. Only to wake up in a cage with the eyes of humans glaring and the flash of cameras reflecting off the glass wall. It looks like home, but the grass is fake, family and friends are gone, food only comes at certain times and the only roaming there is to do remains in the area of the closure. This is the life of an animal that goes from being wild and free to captive in zoos and aquariums. Zoos and aquariums are institutions that capture live animals and keep them in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay: Why Zoos Are Good For Animals

    956 Words  | 4 Pages

    Zoos have always been something that families love and kids look forward to going to. Kids learn about the animals and the habitats and enjoy the entertainment. It is a great experience for people, but not for the animals. Zoos are downright cruel to Animals. Animals our forced to live in an unreal stressful, and boring conditions.

    Read More

  • Animal Cruelty In Zoos And Aquariums

    1101 Words  | 5 Pages

    For the rest of the places, animals need to be returned to or left in their natural habitats. Zoos are often viewed as fun and entertaining due to the different kinds of animals. They are always showing off, looking happy and healthy. What one may not notice is what happens behind the scenes, or maybe in plain sight.

    Read More

  • Animal Captivity Research Paper

    1786 Words  | 8 Pages

    Wild animals are called “wild” for a reason. How can we be educated about wild animals when we are not seeing them in their natural environment? Captivity lacks the ability to show animals true behaviors. A polar bear’s enclosure is one-millionth the size compared to its home in the wild (Derr). With nowhere to go the polar bear ends up spending 25% of its day pacing and walking around in tight circles (Derr).

    Read More

  • Are Zoos Ethical Essay

    939 Words  | 4 Pages

    Are zoos good or bad? Most people think that they are good… but they just do not know about the other side of zoos. Female african elephants live 17 years in zoos but when they are in the wild they live 56 years. Zoos are unethical and should let all there animals out because they are bad for humans, hurt and separate animals, and Unhealthy for animals.

    Read More

  • Zoos Are Harmful To Animals

    932 Words  | 4 Pages

    Oh no you have just been shot by a tranquilizer dart and you 're put in a truck and you never see your friends and family ever again. Well that 's what happens when animals go to zoos. Zoos are harmful to animals. To begin with, Animals aren 't getting the right diet when they live in zoos. Also, animals are not getting the right amount of space.

    Read More

  • Zoos Research Paper

    1093 Words  | 5 Pages

    To sum up, both articles provide evidence that zoos are improving over the years to serve their purpose more effectively. Constant development helps them to save more animals and at the same time show the results to the public which is crucial for inspiring people's participation in conservation programs. So, the two articles on the necessity of zoos are mostly similar as they express the same ideas. Both Cohn and Borrell provide arguments for the significance of zoos which contribute to animal conservation by conducting research, protecting endangered species, encouraging people to participate in conservation programs and forming their connection with the natural

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Zoos

    1390 Words  | 6 Pages

    This leads to many concerns from the public on the physical and mental impacts of captivity on the wild animals. This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of zoos to lead us to a possible conclusion whether it is ethical to place animals in captivity. We will also examine if zoos have the best possible facilities to keep animals in captivity. Body One of the advantages of having zoos, is to provide protection to some animals that are endangered.

    Read More

  • Zoos Should Be Abolished Essay

    1030 Words  | 5 Pages

    Zoos play a role in educating people about animals and play an important part in animal conservation. While much information on animals is available through printed materials and the Internet, it's way much better being near them seeing what they actually are. Many people lack the means to travel to the native habitats of most animals, however, zoos bring animals from many different climates and locations together in one place. For many people as well, the experience of being close to these animals has more impact than simply reading about them. This experience often gives them sympathy for animals that they may

    Read More

More about How Do Zoos Affect Animal Behavior

Open Document