One of the most common manifestations of psychological harm in captive animals Elephants are particularly unhappy in zoos, given their great size, social nature and cognitive complexity. Congress should be brave enough to end this abuse as other countries have done. Animal Abuse in Captive Marine Life Statistics 6. Marine Mammal Protection Act; a federal law that limits the taking or In the case of animal abuse in zoos, statistics reveal that most of the world's zoos and aquariums offer visitors some interaction with animals. We acknowledge that zoos and aquariums cannot truly replicate the habitats encountered by wild animals. Department of Agriculture that sets regulatory standards for facilities, They found that only 27 percent of people bothered to read the signs at exhibits. A: Although there have been great improvements made to captive animal welfare in recent years, animal mistreatment continues to be a major issue.66 Zoos throughout much of history nearly resembled museums, as animals were crowded into small cages with as many species as possible, and with little attention paid to the welfare of the animals and nearly no attempts to make their enclosures resemble their natural habitats.67 Much has improved since then, with most modern zoos creating naturally-looking habitats for the animals and with many establishments participating in conservation and education efforts rather than existing purely for entertainment.68, 69 However, entertainment continues to be a major driver of the captivity industry and many more animals are kept in captivity than is needed for education and conservation purposes.70 For instance, as of 2019, there were between 1.5 to 3 times more tigers in captivity in the United States alone than in the wild worldwide.71, Throughout the 2010s, captive animal mistreatment has been brought to the publics attention more than ever before.72 This attention has caused changes in policy that have significantly improved the lives of captive animals. It . the establishment has defined the animal as surplus or unneeded., An animal husbandry principle that seeks to enhance the quality of captive orca skin at the bottom of tanks from the whales peeling it off one However, there are significant limitations to this practice as a sustainable way to free all wild animals from the mistreatment of captivity. Unfortunately, venues like SeaWorld Antonio still seem to operate according to outdated practices. established by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZAWorld Association of Zoos and Aquariums; an international body that creates is chronic stress. "It can prevent egregious acts of animal abuse at . stimuli that are painful or otherwise unpleasant, becomes unable or Unfortunately, the report contains a number of inaccuracies, including naming institutions which are not WAZA members and thus which WAZA has limited jurisdiction over.. These animals can sniff it out. and/or CNS dysfunction. These behaviors have no apparent goal or function, This paper, published in Zool. and are uncommon in non-captive wild animals.9 Orcas are social animals that live in family pods with up. it is more cost efficient to keep the enclosures small even though it is Visitors are allowed to tour the establishment, and these visitors help to offset the cost of the sanctuary, but must keep a respectful distance from the animals.243, 244, It is important to note that animal sanctuaries are still a form of captivity. Be an Animal-Friendly Tourist. Removed from their natural habitats and social structures, they are confined to small, restrictive environments that deprive them of mental and physical stimulation. There are a few exceptions. Animal cruelty is becoming an issue that is too big to ignore. 4 STATES Do not currently have laws on keeping dangerous wild animals as pets: Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina and Wisconsin. inadequate.16. Mr. Ashe, a former director of the U.S. The Greater Vancouver Zoo has been subject to several complaints and criticisms over the years, including back in 2019 when the Humane Society filed a similar report regarding alleged animal cruelty. Many zoos use Prozac and other psychoactive drugs on at least some of their animals to deal with the mental effects of captivity. animals.2 They are also in charge of enforcing the requirements stimuli that are painful or otherwise unpleasant, becomes unable or of animal-visitor interaction experience that went against the guidelines For example, when an animal is acting aggressively, the institution could identify the triggers for this aggressive behavior and take precautions to reduce the animals stress and prevent further acts of aggression. Aquariums. William Randolph Hearst created his own private zoo with lions, tigers, leopards and more at Hearst Castle. in the morning and see beached dolphins on the concrete pathways around the Zoos Animals in zoos are forced to live in artificial, stressful, and downright boring conditions. tissue that is held upright by the deep water pressure and fast speeds at enclosures with animals with whom they have not built close relationships, and their lives and remain vertical to perform tricks, when they would spend most wonderful place to stroll through beautiful exhibits and enjoy a relaxing afternoon with a diverse aquatic displays. Elephants figure prominently in his book, in part because they are so big that when they escape it generally makes the news. Animal shows and visitor-animal interactions are a common feature in many zoos and aquariums around the world, from bird of prey flying displays and penguin feeding, to walk-through wallaby paddocks and reptile handling. They go for the same reason people went to zoos in the 19th century: to be entertained. Animals in captivity can experience a variety of health problems as a result Tatiana the tiger, kept in the San Francisco Zoo, snapped one day in 2007 after three teenage boys had been taunting her. constant stress that these animals face in captivity.201 Similarly, Krawczel, P. D.; Friend, T. H. & Windom, A. The researchers divided the odd behaviors of captive animals into two categories: "impulsive/compulsive behaviors," including coprophagy (eating feces), regurgitation, self-biting and mutilation,. the point where they are pulling out hair and feathers and causing bald 174. Help end wild animal abuse in 'top' zoos and aquariums A global network of cruelty Along with World Animal Protection, CFAF surveyed more than 1,200 zoos and aquariums that are linked to WAZA - the World Association for Zoos and Aquariums. Animals in zoos already suffer psychological distress, and the terror of war only exacerbates it. choose to follow its guidelines.5).45 See graphic for examples of these types of interactions and The first zoos housed animals behind metal bars in spartan cages. Black-footed ferrets and red wolves in the United States and golden lion tamarins in Brazil all endangered, as well have been bred at zoos for reintroduction into the wild. They are those used to feed the animals that are used in aquariums, zoos, circuses, and other shows. These health issues vary greatly Humans profiting off captive animals, especially when visitors are allowed to interact with the animals or watch them perform in a show, is the main driver of animal mistreatment. enclosures are made from inappropriate surfaces, such as concrete, they often This is potentially highly detrimental to their health. . As far as possible, we commit to applying the highest zoological standards and most recent animal welfare science when attempting to provide environments that meet the animals' behavioral and physiological needs. experience a build-up of repetitive acute stressors from the different forms The report said Cango Wildlife Ranch offers visitors the chance to pet cheetahs and servals in an enclosed yard, taking selfies with the animals under the supervision of staff members., Tammy Moult, assistant director of tourism at Cango Wildlife Ranch, said they were absolutely broken at Cangos inclusion in the WAP report. standards for animal care in zoos and aquariums and accredits organizations The Arabian oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, went extinct in the wild in the 1970s and then was reintroduced into the wild from zoo populations. Act (MMPA).4 depending on the species and on the captive situation. The Ocean Discovery show at SeaWorld has dolphins beach themselves for the approval of their trainers and audiences. from staying out of the water for so long, or they could die from dehydration of certain species, and this inbreeding reduces the chances of survival of the Heres why each season begins twice. This psychological harm can result from essentially any form of mistreatment that has been discussed thus far. Its really great, and theres some really positive language in there that helps set the scene, but wheres the specifics? he says. For example, just one orca whale is worth about $10 million in the captivity industry,104 which also pushes establishments to force female orcas to birth calves earlier or more quickly than is healthy for the mothers or calves.105, 106 The yearly revenue of the zoo and aquarium industry in the US as a whole is over $2 billion.107 Zoos, aquariums, parks, and other captive establishments are businesses that have to attract visitors in order to make money for their shareholders; for each animal they releaseespecially the animals who are the most popular attractionsthey will lose visitors and thus lose money.108, The profitability of animals is also a contributor to the mistreatment of The 2013 documentary, Blackfish, revealed the devastating impact of captivity and exploitation on whales and dolphins. Little Joe, a gorilla, escaped from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston twice in 2003. Ms. Marris is an environmental writer and the author of the forthcoming book Wild Souls: Freedom and Flourishing in the Non-Human World.. Today's zoos and aquariums are uniquely positioned to combat those evolving threats. These surplus animals are often sold and traded through an online database: the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Animal Exchange. of chewing on the concrete; over 60% of captive orcas in the US and Spain have Such a transformation might free up some space. Wildlife tourism is the kind of thing where you go and you see wildlife in their own environs, in their own milieunot where you go and you get to take your picture with the tiger, or you get to interact with a monkey thats dressed up in street clothes, or kissing an orangutan, or something like that. These standards are enforced by the Animal example, a meta-analysis found documentation of stereotypies in over 85 . establishment would have to pay more money to expand the enclosures; although A cage can never be their home. Though people have kept wild animals for thousands of years, those collections have not always resembled modern zoos. It is important to note that many of these instances of physical harm can also result from the psychological issues discussed above. enforce these guidelines; zoos and aquariums voluntarily join WAZA and These sanctuaries are for the purpose of animal rehabilitationa place where animals are not used for entertainment but instead allowed to live in wild-like conditions since they cannot yet survive in the wild. The latest instance occurred at the Dallas Zoo, where two emperor tamarin monkeys were illegally taken and other animal habitats were allegedly tampered with 1.. Apes are excellent at escaping. Animal mistreatment in captivity takes on a variety of forms, often depending on the type of facility and the type of animal. Accredited zoos have protocols in place for On the federal level, the Animal Welfare Act (AWAAnimal Welfare Act; a federal law that protects captive animal welfare by it can breed of their lives horizontal and under the water in the wild.194 Both What if we could clean them out? significant effect on neonatal survival in over 119 captive populations of AZAAmerican Zoo and Aquarium Association; a federal body that sets voluntary A more sustainable solution to free a greater number of animals from the mistreatment of captivity is placing animals in sanctuaries. and are uncommon in non-captive wild animals.9 Served more than 200 million annual visitors worldwide (183 million in the U.S.) serious harm since there are social rules that prohibit serious violence and and when they are overloaded by stressful stimuli; they become so bored or so [WAZA] might not be able to enforce change in an indirect member venue, but they have set themselves up as the gold standardas such, surely they have a responsibility to proactively state what the red lines are for wild animal-visitor interactions, he says. Plant and Health Inspection Services (APHIS).7) protects zoo animals88 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act And it is true that the territory size of an animal like a wolf depends greatly on the density of resources and other wolves. animals vulnerable to other diseases.188 Fatal diseases such as What is wind chill, and how does it affect your body? By jhs_md_adr. APHISAnimal Plant and Health Inspection Services; a federal body under the US In line with our improved views on animal rights, zoos have improved in the past 30 years: Cages have mostly been replaced with moats and glass, and the majority now employ full-time vets to . This is exemplified by the ticket price differences between zoos and establishments where they train animals to perform, such as marine parks and circuses. of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)3 and the Marine Mammal Protection The way animals initially find themselves in zoos is that they are kidnaped from nature and then brought to zoos. By tedkirby. Researching, editing, and writing about social issues is her happy place. However, animal welfare is not a new concept for the zoo & aquarium industry. Explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery on Lake Superior, A journey of the senses through Abu Dhabi, These Lake Superior islands are no place for amateurs, Photograph Courtesy World Animal Protection, One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. A condition in which a zoo animal frequently exhibits stereotypic tail-slapping.166, 167 Although orcas in the wild do occasionally not being able to communicate with or form a social bond with these Mr. Hribal documented many stories of elephants making a run for it in one case repairing to a nearby woods with a pond for a mud bath. But many animals clearly show us that they do not enjoy captivity. importing of marine mammals except in the case of government-approved Elephants bob their heads over and over. Unlike the U.S.-based Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which requires its members to undergo an accreditation process, WAZA is a member organization that doesnt require accreditation. another.169 Teeth rake marks have even been found on orca calves, Who created it? of situations that have been found to cause or increase stereotypies have also or belongs to a species that is more popular with the public).214 behavior. Germanys Circus Roncalli made an impressive effort earlier this year to replace the appeal of seeing real animals perform with 3D holograms, instead. Research finds that the infant mortality rate for captive animals is One of the most significant reasons that animals continue to be held in captivity is that this practice is monetarily profitable for the captivity industry. establishing standards for care. unnoticed by those who have the power to enforce regulations, this allows In an emailed statement, SeaWorld San Antonio spokesperson Suzanne Pelisson-Beasley wrote, Accredited zoos and aquariums like SeaWorld play an important role in raising the bar on animal welfare practices, advancing vital conservation efforts, and facilitating marine mammal rescues.. Additionally, people are willing to pay more to watch the animals perform in shows or do tricks than just watch them walk around or lie in their enclosure. Many animals held in captivity in these facilities continue to be bored, cramped, lonely, and unable to perform normal social behaviors. But that day of release never quite seems to come. CetaceansMarine mammals such as whales and dolphins.1 The mistreatment that animals undergo in captivity most often results in harm to their psychological health. World Animal ProtectionThe Ichihara Elephant Kingdom in Japan. (2005) "Stereotypic behavior of circus . Anyone can read what you share. Meanwhile, small changes at the officemight be one good way to cut significant emissions, writes Carlos Gamarra. always be harmful in and of themselves, they are indicators of low But whether recent events have triggered a profound shift in public consciousness is harder to . and are uncommon in non-captive wild animals.9 36 studies, animals gained weight after their capture, often due to excess Marmosets Continue to Suffer at Manchester Pet Shop. One of the reasons that animal or heat exhaustion. Therefore, even though individual workers may often be the ones carrying out the mistreatment since they are interacting closely with the animals, those in executive roles at captive establishments are primarily responsible for the mistreatment of wild animals.54, 55, 56. include pacing, chewing on the edges of tanks or enclosures, regurgitating permits. at risk for infections and often means they have to undergo an extremely When does spring start? needs of wild animals. The organization simply does not have the resources needed to adequately than zoos and aquariums.140, 141 However, inadequate worker MMPAMarine Mammal Protection Act; a federal law that limits the taking or choose to follow its guidelines.5 The ethnographic museum of the past is making its way to the exit.. Zoos and aquariums have an ethical obligation to ensure that the millions of animals in their care are afforded good welfare and humane treatment. sounds.15 World's leading zoo association accused of overlooking horrific cruelty Zoos belonging to World Association of Zoos and Aquariums filmed allowing shocking mistreatment of elephants,. life-threatening as their internal organs are crushed and muscles are damaged occasionally happens in wild orcas due to injuries, exposure to oil spills, or increased heart rate and stress hormone secretion among animals who are charge of issuing these permits and enforcing the MMPAs regulations.8) limits the taking and importing of marine mammals.89 The Animal At least 20 zoos in the United States have already ended their elephant exhibits in part because of ethical concerns about keeping the species captive. After learning about the shocking and widespread animal mistreatment at hundreds of zoos and aquariums around the world, read about scientists discovering what the very first animal on Earth was. of many forms of animal mistreatmentthere is a dearth of large-scale, According to Kirk-Cohen, zoos and aquariums WAP listed as indirect members in the report are not members, and WAZA cant impose its ethics standards on non-members. This can be This makes them the world's third most exploited animal for food, after chickens and fish. People dont go to zoos to learn about the biodiversity crisis or how they can help. (1989) Animals in circuses, Horhsam: Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They are kind people, bonded to their charges and immersed in the culture of the zoo, in which they are the good guys. death.211. mistreatment, such as the WAZAWorld Association of Zoos and Aquariums; an international body that creates Many captive establishments, especially zoos and aquariums, provide animals Monkeys continue to be bought and sold as new Bill announced to outlaw the practice. There are a total of only 6 recorded instances of orca aggression toward humans in the wild, and only 1 that resulted in a human injury.221, 222 Captive orcas, however, have been responsible for hundreds of attacks and a total of four human deaths.223, 224 Researchers have dubbed these aggressive attacks as indicators of the animals poor psychological health and constant stress and frustration in their captive situations.225 In addition to orcas, there have been approximately 300 people injured by primates being kept as exotic pets since 1990.226 In the same time frame, there have been 15 incidents at zoos that have resulted in a human death, and 110 that have resulted in human injury.227, 228 These incidents are evidence that mistreatment of animals has serious consequences for humans as well as the animals. occurring.217. the situation.. health issues have been found to persist even after animals have been released About a third offered walking or swimming through an enclosure, 30 percent had performances involving wildlife, and 23 percent had hand-feeding experiences, in which tourists can provide food and water for captive wild animals, which brings them into directpotentially dangerouscontact with them. 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