Are Zoos and Marine Parks Ethical?

As children, many of us have wonderful memories of visiting zoos and marine parks. But, unfortunately the animals may not be having as great a time as we are. Most of us do not know what really goes on behind those cages. Many people feel that the issue is controversial because some believe the benefits of zoos and amusements outweigh the cost, while others feel the benefits do not justify the sacrifices made. Zoos and amusement parks are cruel and abusive towards animals as they promote psychological effects, encourage unwise usage of money, endanger the safety of the animals and humans, and degrade the inherent dignity of the animals.

“The debate pits two concerns against one another. First that of animals rights, as well as the safety of trainers. Second is what many perceive as educational value for humans of an up-close-sometimes splashing-wet-close-experience with some of the oceans’ most powerful creature” (Trumbull). Some argue that zoos help to stabilize and protect populations of endangered species stating, “it is animals in the wild who are not happy. Most of the time they are running for their lives” (“Are Zoos Bad News” 7+). Others say that some governments aren’t ready to take the step in preserving the wildlife due to war or tension within the country, so it is acceptable for stable countries to step in and place the animals in zoos.“In India, for example, poachers are rarely penalized for the hunting of tigers and every animal at the country’s Sariska Tiger Reserve has been killed” (Fraser 8+). Another argument is that the experience of seeing the animals up close and being able to interact with them is highly educational and helps bring awareness to the cause. A recent news article claims, “SeaWorld and other defenders argue that the shows play a useful educational role that builds public appreciation for the animals they might not see in the wild” (Trumbull).The Vice President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums “says zoos play a major role in educating people about animals and promoting wildlife conservation” (“Are Zoos Bad News” 7). But these arguments are flawed and neglect information that is important to the argument.

One major consideration that needs to be taken into account is the mental state of the animals in the zoos and amusement parks. “Anti-zoo activists talk about big cats endlessly pacing back and forth in their cages, zoo elephants constantly swaying side to side, polar bears swimming in circles, and monkeys and parrots “grooming” themselves until they have no fur or feather left (“Are Zoos Bad News” 7). It is obvious that animals are affected psychologically by the experience. Many clues point to the cause of their stress. One is the size of their enclosures. This issue is especially relevant to orcas. Orcas, on average, are six to eight meters in length and weigh around six tons. Resident killer whale pods have ranges of 200 to 810 miles. So no matter how big an amusement park makes their enclosure it would still be like “raising a human child bathtub for his entire life” (“’Abusement Parks’” 15). Also, “’In solid concrete tanks,’ explains Katz, ‘their sound waves bounce off the walls, comparable to what we’d experience if confined to a tiny room of mirrors’”(15). It is upsetting that the unique communication feature that orcas possess becomes a method of mental torture. Orcas also travel up to one hundred miles a day. While in an amusement park, orcas are confined to spaces that are hundreds of times smaller than their natural habitat. This fact reveals how the conditions at amusement parks and zoos “must logically promote boredom and psychological stress,’ admonishes Katz” (15). These issues are not just characteristic of orcas. They occur in many different kinds of zoos animals. Research reveals that “the stress of captivity can drive orcas and other marine mammals to display neurotic behaviors that, understandably enough, can lead to tragic consequences” (15). Zoo life and its conditions restrain the natural instincts of animals and even if they are safe from unnatural dangers in the wild, how can it be better that they waste away inside zoos. One article states,

“‘The majority of orca whales in captivity would be far better off to be returned to the wild. Orcas are unbelievably ill-suited to life in theme parks and can be successfully returned to the wild. We know, because we have done it,’ says David Phillips, director of the International Marine Mammal Project for the Earth Island Institute, who led the effort to rescue, rehabilitate, and release the killer whale Keiko, made famous in the movie “Free Willy” (Wood).

All these clues point to the conclusion that wild animals should not be kept in zoos and amusement parks if there is no intent to release them back into the wild.

In our world, money carries a lot of weight and brings into consideration, the financial side of the argument. The money spent on making animal enclosures could be better used to protect them in the wild. We must ask ourselves the question: “Is placing animals in zoos where they will almost certainly suffer mental problems better than leaving them to fend for themselves in the wild? Could we do something more productive with the money that could benefit more animals, not just the ones in captivity?”Every year zoos and amusement parks collect large revenue that is then spilt into different sections. One section goes into financing the up-keep of the cages. “However, maintaining zoos isn’t helping the cause of conservation, which is protecting the natural habitat of wild animals so that they can live on their own terms” (Fraser 8). Zoo activists will say that zoos help populations of animals that inhabit countries that are not preserving the natural wildlife. Why should money be spent on the enclosures of those animals who used to live in troubled countries when it could be spent on helping them in the wild? “’Think about it: the amount spent creating an enclosure for elephants- ten million- could help protect the entire wildlife population at Mount Kenya in Africa for about 150 years” (8). But there is an option that could provide an answer for those who feel zoos play a vital role in preserving and stabilizing animal species. People are now suggesting setting up centers where animals who were rescued can be placed for short term periods. The center would act as a rehabilitation center and a breeding center where the intent is that all animals are to be released back into the wild. China recently has opened up one of these centers for pandas. “The Giant Panda is an endangered species. Only about 1,600 pandas live in the wild. Scientists say the centers will give the species a chance for survival (“Panda Mania” 4). These centers illustrate how “the Chinese government and animals groups, such as the World Wildlife Fund, are helping Pandas in the wild find food” (4). This center provides an example of how zoos could change. “As for the nine new cubs and other pandas in captivity, scientists hope they can one day join the pandas in the wild” (2). Organizations like the World Wildlife Fund aim to help unstable governments protect their animals. Not take them away and place them in zoos. Instead of taking those animals away stable countries should offer to assist the troubled countries in protecting their animals. This way the money not spend on making zoo enclosures more lifelike could be spent on conservation efforts, such as assisting governments in making these centers. One dollar can go a lot father in preserving wildlife than in building one elephant’s enclosure. Instead of helping one elephant, it is could help one hundred.

Another serious issue that needs to be considered is the loss of respect and dignity for the animals and the dangerous situations it creates. Zoo activists state that zoos provide a valuable educational experience for visitors. But there must be less dangerous ways to educate people than placing animals in permanent captivity. “The tragic death of a trainee at SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida, reinforces the argument that orca and other dolphins should not be held in captivity” (“’Abusement Parks’” 15). Amusement parks may educate people about animals, but it also puts both people and animals at risk. People forget that animals are wild and loss respect for them. Joyce Tischler, the founder of The Animals Legal Defense Fund says “most Americans have romanticized notions of sea life perpetuated by such TV series as ‘Flipper’” (Wood). When people see animals behind bars, they get an artificial and false understanding of the animals because the animal is not in its natural environment. The only way to really become educated about wild animals is the see them interacting with other animals in their natural habitat. A large amount of people see zoo animals as a form of personal entertainment like a circus show. Amusement parks, such as SeaWorld, actually have animal shows where the animals perform tricks. “’Since 1990, there have been at least 220 accidents in forty states involving big cats. Four children and fifteen adults have lost their lives, and more than fifty other people lost limbs or suffered other injuries after being mauled.’ She points out that the animals are victims too: Seventy-five big cats, including Tatiana, have been killed because of such incidents” (“Are Zoos Bad News” 7). This is where we, as responsible protectors of our planet, must ask ourselves if these shows teach us something about the animal or if the shows just amuse us. Adam Roberts, an anti-zoo activist and senior vice president of Born Free USA Anti zoo says that part of their “mission involves educating people about what Roberts says is the’ myth of zoos as a positive experience for wild animals and amusement for humans’” (Fraser 8).While zoos allow people to see animals they might not normally see, it puts both humans and animals in danger. In our world of increasing entertainment venues, we must remember that wild animals should be considered as a form of entertainment. If zoos and orcas were to just rehabilitate and rescue orcas with the intent of releasing them, like the centers in China, people could visit the animals while the animals are there. There are ways to protect and study animals without submitting them to permanent confinement and human entertainment. The director of the marine mammal institute “says the public would be better served by seeing Orcas in the wild and ensuring their protection there” than seeing them languishing in the zoo (Wood).

While some of us may still be reminiscing on the fun time we spent at zoos and amusement park, we cannot be negligent. We know the truth now through various studies and tests. Most wild animals do not thrive in zoos and could be better aided by being released back into the wild. Rehabilitation centers and studying animals in the wild can teach people the same lessons about animals as zoos and amusement parks can without the degradation of respect, the danger situations, and unwise money usage. It’s time that the safety and wellness of animals be taken into consideration without thinking about our own selfish inclinations. If there is one thing we must learn from animals, it is their unwavering self-sacrifice in regards to their young. It is time that we see animals as children of the earth too.