THE ETHICS OF ANIMAL CAPTIVITY IN ZOOS

 Imagine you're walking in a traditional zoo, and you go right up to one of the cages. There is a big lake there, but no animals there. You get confused, but then suddenly, something is crawling out of the water. It was a big brown-greenish animal with leathery skin, bone-plated scales and jaws like the fangs of vampires. On the sign, near the cage, it was written " Here Lives A Crocodile"

 

Good evening, people. Today, I wanted to talk about a topic about the ethics of keeping animals captive in zoos. Now, that is a topic that is kind of rare for us to talk about, like "Zoos? What's the point in learning about zoos? It's for entertainment purposes, most of the time.", but it is rather important to know what are the effects of something that is our entertainment, is also a captivity for others. In the above situation that I had given, the crocodile was living in a habitat that almost resembled its own wild home, but it was restricted in its freedom, which all beings should have, let they be humans or animals.

 

On the one hand, zoos can help protect endangered species and educate people about animals. They can also provide a safe place for the animals that might be at risk in the wild due to habitat loss, poaching, or other threats. But on the other hand, keeping such animals in captivity raises serious ethical questions. Many animals in zoos are kept in enclosures that are much smaller than their natural habitats, and so they might not have enough space to roam or engage in natural behaviours. This can lead to stress, boredom, or even health problems for the animals.

 

It's important to think about the quality of life for animals in zoos. While some zoos still try to do their best to create environments that mimic natural habitats, not all do. We need to ask ourselves if it's right to keep animals in captivity for our own education and entertainment. We should start looking for better solutions, like supporting wildlife reserves and protecting natural habitats, so that these animals can again live freely and safely in the wild.

 

Thank You.