Why People Captivate Wild Animals for Their Own Purposes

Introduction

Zoo is truly a fascinating place with a rich history dating back to 2,500 B.C.E in Ancient Egypt, where wild animals were held captive as symbols of status by kings and conquerors. Today, zoos serve multiple purposes, including education, conservation, and scientific research. However, they can also be misused for ulterior motives in a world driven by profit and self-interest. As awareness of animal rights and ethical concerns grows, zoos have become subjects of debate, with both pros and cons to their existence. In this essay, I aim to explore some of the critical questions surrounding this issue and shed light on the truth behind the justifications.

It's astonishing to witness the remarkable obedience of the "king of the jungle," the tiger, within the confines of a zoo. It appears as docile as a house cat, radiating cuteness and delight. This stark contrast to the image I had of tigers from my earlier visit to the zoo during high school left me perplexed. The wild instincts of tigers undergo a complete transformation when they become captives in a zoo, designed for public display and entertainment.

Curiosity drove me to search the internet, leading me to a surprising discovery. Tigers in zoos are trained using bamboo sticks to correct undesirable behavior, a process repeated daily before visitors arrive. Over time, these magnificent creatures lose their innate ferocity and adapt to a more "cute" demeanor. While some argue that tigers' natural aggression poses a threat to people, one must question whether taming them is the ethical solution. Tigers belong in the wild, and attempting to domesticate them from birth goes against their natural disposition.

Another concerning incident took place in Taiwan in 2013 when a whale shark, held captive for eight years in the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, was released into the open sea. Within six hours, the whale shark, accustomed to captivity, faced distress and eventually sank to the ocean floor, marking the tragic end of its life as a "pet" for humans. The following day, the company responsible for its captivity falsely claimed a successful release, highlighting the profit-driven nature of such ventures. This incident is not isolated, and it underscores the global issue of animal rights and ethical treatment.

The Roles and Purposes of Zoos

One of the primary roles of zoos is scientific research, but this raises questions. Zoologists typically study animal behavior based on their natural habitats. However, captivity can significantly alter an animal's behavior, rendering research findings unreliable. Furthermore, many research funds are geared towards field research rather than zoo-based studies. The two most common types of research conducted in zoos are anatomy and pathology, typically aimed at improving the health of zoo animals or serving as subjects for human health experiments. These justifications often seem disconnected from the core purpose of zoos. Human and animal DNA differences make human experiments on animals questionable, given today's advanced technology.

While my childhood zoo visits were filled with excitement, largely due to animal performances, I later realized that these acts were far removed from natural behavior and primarily intended to attract visitors for financial gain. It was surprising to learn that, in some zoos, expenses related to animal welfare, such as medicines and food, comprised only a small percentage of their budgets. Zoos seemed to prioritize profits over education and conservation.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warns that over 40% of species worldwide face extinction. To combat this, some argue for captive breeding in zoos to prevent illegal activities. While this approach offers transparency, it comes with risks. Captive-bred animals may lack the survival skills and genetic diversity necessary for reintroduction into the wild.

Keeping Wild Animals in Captivity: an Ethical Debate

The debate over the ethicality of keeping animals in captivity continues. In my view, animals should not be confined to zoos but should be protected in natural reserves or national parks. Environmental disasters threaten their habitats, making captive breeding a temporary solution. However, addressing the root causes of these issues is crucial. Prioritizing profits over ethics is wrong, and we must strive to understand the underlying problems before finding effective solutions.

Although I had a delightful experience at the zoo when I was a young student in primary school, I didn't gain much knowledge about zoology. My enjoyment stemmed from watching animal performances in the circus. I had no awareness that the amusing and entertaining antics performed by the animals were not their natural behaviors. These animals had been trained to put on shows to attract more visitors and generate significant income. Information provided by the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, revealed the financial breakdown of zoo expenses. Shockingly, only 1.2% of the budget was allocated to animal medicines, and a mere 6.7% was designated for animal food, despite budgets often reaching tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. This data astounded me, emphasizing that the animals in the zoo were primarily viewed as profit generators. The educational aspect seemed to have taken a back seat. Additionally, based on my experiences, I noticed that the information boards at the zoo offered only basic details about the animals. In today's era of information abundance, I found that I could access more comprehensive information online than what the zoo provided. While this virtual experience couldn't replace interacting with real animals, it reflected the shift in the zoo's focus toward entertainment, rather than education.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), over 40% of the world's species are at risk of extinction. These species are classified into nine categories based on factors such as population decline rate, total species count, geographical distribution, and group dispersion. Among these categories, there is one called "Extinct in the Wild (EW)," signifying that these animals have already disappeared from their natural habitats but can still be found in captive breeding centers. Captive breeding is a process aimed at preserving species that have gone extinct in the wild, preventing their complete disappearance from the world. Zoos often play a crucial role in this process. In my opinion, captive breeding in zoos is the best option to prevent conservation efforts from turning into commercial enterprises that unscrupulous individuals exploit for illegal gains. The transparency of the captive breeding process, which is visible to the public, reduces the chances of illicit activities. However, it's important to acknowledge the risks associated with captive breeding. Reintroducing species that have become extinct in the wild, even if their habitats have been restored, can be challenging. One of the primary obstacles is that these animals may lack the survival skills necessary for their return to the wild. These survival skills are typically passed down by parents but are lost in captivity. In other words, even if the species' genetic material survives, the natural connections within populations are severed.

Conclusion

The debate over whether animals should be kept in captivity or returned to their natural habitats will continue to elicit diverse opinions. In my personal view, animals should not be confined to zoos, where they are stripped of their freedom. Regardless of whether it's for research, preservation, or education, animals should not be exhibited in zoos but should instead be placed in national parks or natural reserves, where they can be protected from the brink of extinction. Animal lives are invaluable, and they have a right to inhabit the wild, which is their natural home, rather than being hunted and subjected to human control. Some argue that due to the ongoing environmental crises worldwide, nature has changed significantly, making captive breeding a necessary tool to prevent species from vanishing forever. While it may not be the ideal choice, there are limited alternatives if we wish to prevent the extinction of certain animal species. This raises questions about how we perceive and address this issue. Prioritizing profit without regard for consequences is ethically questionable. Instead of debating right and wrong, it may be more fruitful to delve into the root causes of the problem and gain a deeper understanding of the issue before devising effective solutions.