Discussion #1 Zoos and Aquaria

Background: Public aquaria and zoos are sometimes the only way for the most people to see rare, endangered and exotic species. Supporters of aquaria and zoos argue that they provide an opportunity to educate the public about the need to protect biodiversity and endangered species. Detractors argue that aquaria and zoos give the false impression that habitat protection is not important because the aquaria and zoos will keep endangered species from going extinct.

Part A: Address the following topic in your discussion post. (Required)

• Are zoos and aquaria an overall good thing, or not? List some you have visited.

Part B: Respond to one post you agree with and one post you do not agree with. (Required)

I agree with Madalyn Rhoades:

I believe zoos and aquariums can be a great thing especially for education. As a child I loved going to the zoo, reading the signs and seeing all the different animals, I think this educational opportunity is great for children and adults alike. However, there are many zoos that provide poor habitat for their animals and cause the suffering of them. This is unacceptable, zoos should have strict regulations regarding the size of enclosures, enrichment provided for the animals, habitat needs and much more. Many zoos provide conservation with significant amounts of money through donations and allow research on many animals allowing for a better understanding of how to protect threatened populations. Captive breeding programs in zoos and aquariums have created a lot of success stories and have benefitted many endangered populations. Zoos and aquariums have the potential to be amazing places for education and conservation as long as the needs of the animal are placed above all else and proper regulations are ensured. I have been to the National Zoo the Baltimore Zoo the Baltimore aquarium, as well as the Pittsburg Zoo and aquarium and the Cleveland Zoo.

I disagree with Josie Amstone:

I recognize that zoos and aquaria are often seen as tools for conservation and education, but I do not believe that zoos and aquaria are an overall good thing. To me, zoos and aquaria are separate from places of rehabilitation and protection; zoos and aquaria are a place of exploitation and entertainment. Personally, I often feel uncomfortable in zoos and aquaria, due to my ethical concerns about exploiting animals for human use. I see animals trapped in small cages with no freedom to explore and run and marine life contained to tanks with no exposure to open seas. According to Born Free USA, an organization dedicated to freeing exploited animals, zoos and aquaria actually have little to no conservation benefit. Many captive breeding programs have limited conservation benefit and use the guise of conservation to supply their animals. Reliance on captivity then prevents animals from ever being freed. In aquariums, captive whales and dolphins face high mortality rates, low breeding success, and severe phycological trauma. Whale enclosures are typically 100 feet in length, are you telling me that captive whales are meant to live in a 100 square foot enclosure rather than the miles and miles of the sea they should be in? In theory, zoos and aquaria are a good idea, which is why I have separated them from true rehabilitation organizations like the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, real conservation agencies that focus on the wellbeing of injured and extinct species without exploiting them for human gain. I understand that zoos and aquaria are seen as an education tool, but is animal cruelty worth the tradeoff for seeing exotic species in real life? With todays technology, we have limitless opportunities to learn about animal without having to visit them in dire conditions.

Sources:

Lauren, & Tierney. (1970, January 1). Full title name: overview of laws concerning orcas in captivity. Animal Law Legal Center.

Whats Wrong With Zoos & Aquariums? Born Free USA. (2024b, May 15).