Danger Of Zoos

Zoos have become a frequently visited place by people of all ages, whether it be for an educational school field trip or for pure amusement. It’s a wonderful experience to be able to see animals close up in a controlled environment, keeping visitors safe from any risks. However do people think of what the animals are experiencing? They are not provided with sufficient space to live, consequently causing danger, not only involving the animals, but visitors as well. One Green Planet writes about Tania the elephant saying,

...The heartbreaking story of Tania, a female Indian elephant who has lived alone for most of her 39 years and has been shunted around from zoo to zoo, most recently ending up in the Targu Mures Zoo, Romania. Here, she is confined

Peta.org explains “Elephants typically walk up to 30 miles in just one day, but Lucy, the lone elephant at the Edmonton Zoo, is locked inside a barn… spends most of her time indoors…”. This doesn’t exclusively apply to elephants, but to most animals living in Zoos. Limited space provided per animal prevents them from thriving in this environment. Additionally, this leads to health concerns due to the restricted movement allowed, including health problems like arthritis. However zoos are not only causing physical harm, but psychological harm, leading animals to develop a deep depression. Trapping animals in cages causes an abundance of stress making them miserable. Furthermore animals take matters into their own hands trying to kill themselves according to animalequality.net “Some animals are so unhappy that they risk their lives in desperate attempts to free themselves”. The right thing to do is to help animals de-stress. Not only can they help the situation by making more space for them, but can also consider releasing them. Sometimes the zoo is not completely to blame, but visitors begin to put their lives in

The zoo is a great concept for teaching kids about these animals, because of the up-close view, sometimes even hands on, but in the end it is promoting all of the wrong things. According to child psychiatrist Sujatha Ramakrishna, "Instead of educating children about the lives of animals in the wild, zoos more often teach children to view animals as a form of entertainment”. Children visiting are more focused on the funny things animals are doing, than the actual learning behind it. In the end it is just promoting the capturing of animals. Zoos aren’t the only place to learn about healthy animals, there are many alternatives. Informative videos are able to provide a ton of information in one sitting, showing close images of animals in their natural environment. Through these videos you are able to see these animals thrive. Another alternative is a rescue sanctuary. Founder of a Four Urban Paws Sanctuary, KD Angle-Traegner, writes in her blog " Visitors are able to interact with animals in a peaceful and natural setting, allowing a greater understanding of their lives as individuals." These sanctuaries provide animals with much needed roaming space that they deserve. They are also able to provide a positive teachings to children about them rescuing these animals, and giving them the much needed