Zoos: the life of animals in captivity

Animal Captivity: Against Animal Captivity Essay

WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY by Rob Laidlaw | Kirkus Reviews

A caged lion pacing back and forth on a worn path and dolphins swimming in unending circles are captive animals exhibiting “stereotypies,” or repetitive abnormal behaviors. These disturbing behaviors are a common sight in many zoos. Laidlaw effectively captures the plight faced by captive wild animals, even in major, apparently high-quality zoos. In four riveting chapters he explores first the general issues of life in captivity, then addresses specific, often severe, problems faced by polar bears, elephants, dolphins and Great Apes. He goes on to discuss types of zoos and their particular flaws, then concludes with advice for readers on objective evaluation of the zoos they visit and offers a list of ten ways to help animals in captivity. Ample white space on each page and numerous, well-placed color photographs add to the readability; fact boxes on many pages provide additional details. This eye-opening look at zoo issues will strike a chord with readers and would be a useful addition to most collections. (glossary, index, list of animal-welfare organizations)

Animals in Captivity Presentation by Charles Renick on Prezi

Bird Trivia: Parrots mimic humans but do not mimic any other kind of animal in the wild. Most captive birds are unable to find a permanent home and experience some kind of abuse or neglect in their lifetimes. The use of nonstick cookware can be extremely toxic to parrots living in the home. Parrots can die from exposure to normal household substances such as bleach fumes, perfumes, and anything sprayed from an aerosol can. Exotic birds can live to be over 60 years old.

some of the animals were put in captivity

Zoochosis
Stakeholders
Animals
Animal Owners
Zoos
Conservatories
Animal Arenas
People being entertained
Future Generations
Human
Animals in Captivity
Utilitarianism
For: Animals in captivity

Good for the majority of humans.

learn about and have contact with wild animals
Deontology
For Animal Captivity:
It would be unethical to tell others what is wrong and how they should treat animals
Let people do as they please, they should not be judged by us but judged by God

Deontology
Against:
It is our duty to protect God's animals and not put them in captivity
The moral choice would be to appreciate the animals we live with on Earth by not keeping them captive
Moral Fallacies
Invincible Ignorance
Is/Ought
Hasty Conclusion

Lack of Natural Environment
Animal Boredom
-Zoochosis

-Animals are becoming medicated
Artificial foliage and environment
Observation by people and no privacy
Smaller space

Circuses
The Good:
Unique experience
Source of income
Not all circuses are bad
The Bad:
Unatural habitat
Typically brutal treatment

Zoos
The Good:
Conservation purposes
Education
The Bad:
Unwilling animals
Living conditions
Sports:
Bullfighting and Rodeos
The Good:
Deep rooted culture
Unique experiences
The Bad
Treatment is brutal
Virtues
For:
Animals under captivity should be treated better and there should be more regulation on the living conditions of these animals.
Against:
Animals should be set free and should not be held under captivity
One of the leading causes for keeping animals in captivity is due to the educational perspective:

Zoos
Safari Parks
Seaworld
Aquariums
Zoos and Education
The Good:
Educates the public about a variety of local and exotic animals
Protection of a certain species that is endangered - breeding them in captivity to increase their numbers
Red Wolf SSP Program (1984)
Utilitarianism
Against: Animals in captivity

Good for majority of animals

They can live comfortable natural lifestyles
The Bad:
People have become accustomed to seeing animals in zoos and have become educated that keeping animals in zoo's is normal
Safari Parks and Education
The Good:
Educating people how these animals act in "the wild" could help to benefit people who find themselves in the wild
The Bad:
Since the animals are somewhat tamed, and are conditioned to approach vehicles for food, this type of education is
not a realistic example
in real life
Animals are not treated right in many situations
Knowsley Safari Park
Seaworld and Education
The Good:
Seaworld provides the education of many aquatic species
Conservation Examples
Ex.

often involve animals in human captivity, ..

1/3 of amphibian species are threatened with extinctions

"AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums have spent more than $1.3 million on amphibian research and conservation projects in more than 20 countries."
The Bad:
Seaworld provides a false view of how whales act in the wild
Confining large species in small spacies causes negative adverse effects
Aquariums and Education
The Good:
Up close and personal experience
Create artifical ecosystems with no predation or food shortages
The Bad:
Teach children that it is okay to be close to dangerous fish.
Not very much swimming space for species
Utilitarianism
"Ends over Means"

The 4 Thesis

Consequentialism

Hedonism

Maximalism

Universalism
Group 4
An Apology to Elephants
Blackfish
5:50-7:50
12:00-15:30
Alternatives
Not keep animals in captivity but in wild

Keep genetics for conservation of endangered species

Ethics:
Utilitarianism
- letting wild animals be wild will result maximum happiness while conserving endangered species' genetics
Deotological:
- Not keeping animals in captivity would be the most moral choice since it is our duty to take care of them
Virtue:
- Not keeping animals captive is results in the best possible outcome and is the best character choice possible.


The bad:

Takes the animal out of their natural habitat.

Zoo and aquariums are not always in good conditions