Woodland Park Zoo

having to live based on someone else’s schedule. Well that is zoo animals feel every single day. Animal captivity has been around for hundreds of years. Animals were held as creatures of worship and used for gladiatorial contests. It wasn’t until the 1800s that public zoos became more common. As they became more common the focus on educational purposes became less and the animals began being treated abusively and being mishandled. Zoos should be shut down. First, there is little money put into…

Ban the Bullhook, written by Huffington Post is an article spreading awareness on an important protection measure for elephants. Recently the California Senate has had a tremendous amount of feedback regarding this issue that pertains to elephants currently being held in captive. The bullhook is used frequently to inflict pain on elephants in attempts to control them using nothing but fear. The bullhook, also referred to as the “guide” that looks like a long thin pole with a point out of the top…

This year thousands of locals and tourists will flock to Zoo Atlanta in hopes of seeing animals that one can only see in the wild, or on T.V. A trip to the zoo is supposed to be about fun, entertainment, as well as learning experience. Zoo animals are big, exotic and beautiful; however according to Lee Keekok A Philosophy Tour a 2006 study has shown that animals are not in their native environments. Animals are pushed behind durable glass enclosures, enclosed behind fences, and often times…

People have learned to love the black-and-white marine icon that has been rehabilitated from a fearsome killer to the cuddly water panda they’ve become. Groc’s article, “Orca Encounters”, sparked my interest and led me to question just how humane our social and cultural traditions have become. Once killed by fishermen and believed to be a dangerous creature, the orca has grown to become the most viewed performer at SeaWorld shows. Being the largest predator held in captivity, researchers have…

Zoos exist for one main reason, conservation, but does locking animals up actually help a species survive? When zoos keep animals captive, they often become depressed, not successful in conservation and exposed to harsh habitat conditions. Animals experience unfair and cruel lives while humans use the excuse of protection to keep them captive.Therefore, I take the position that keeping animals captive is a cruel thing. Animals in captivity are often depressed, lonely, and aggressive due to human…

“He was put on display in the store, between the kittens and the sheepdogs”. I know lions belong in the wild not in a pet store. The lion was in the city long time he was sold three times. I know this because in the text it says “He’d been born in a zoo in England. Two of his sisters had been sold to a circus, and he had been sold to a London department store called Harrods. Now in November 1969,…

Why are people against owning exotic animals? I understand that exotic animals should be free, but injured ones could become pets. Some animals do not have any hope of surviving in the wild. It is already legal to have them, so why change now. Private ownership should be legal if animal welfare is taken care of. Owning exotic animals should stay legal if born in captivity, not stolen from the wild. Most people are responsible enough to own exotic animals as pets. Captive breeding can…

times eat her child for nutritional values. In this case this is what happened at the Smithsonian National Zoo when Khali, a sloth bear, soon after giving birth devoured her cubs. Apparently the birth was monitored via zoo staff and they cheered when the first little cub cam out into the world but 20 min later, still in labor, she bent down and ate her cub. The cub was presumed sick by the zoo staff but no tests could be run since there was no body. She gave birth to two more cubs and was…

From zoos, to aquariums, to petting zoos, and even our own pets, humans have always been fascinated by animals, and have gone to certain extents to use them for learning purposes, preservation, survival, companionship, and occasionally entertainment. Menageries allow people to learn about animals from a safe distance and see some animals which they would never have seen if it were not for wildlife parks. Many argue that captive animals are not happy in their environment, and should be set free…

Using Captive Breeding for Conservation of Exotic Animals: Are there Ethical Concerns? Imagine a hypothetical observance of an enclosed lion exhibit, proudly displayed in a local zoo. Stationed at the apex of a nearby hill is Tamarin, a spectacular example of an immaculate exotic animal, practicing his patience while playing with his cubs. Curiosity stimulates a concern for this animal. Does he enjoy inhabiting this place? How does he compare to his wildlife counterpart? Is it just and ethical…