How to Find a More Ethical Zoo
Recently, the gorilla Harambe was shot after a three-year-old boy fell into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo, sparking a particularly dark meme in recent history. Such incidents and overcrowding issues call into question the overall treatment of animals in zoos and their well-being around the world.
This week, the Points Guy shared how readers can find ethical zoos, with suggestions that include finding reputable international accredited wildlife reserves. But when it comes to animals in captivity, often in confined spaces, we are still faced with the question: Are there ethical zoos at all?
This is a tricky question, and there are many reasons to reconsider your next visit to the zoo, whether you support them or not. Here are some reasons you might want to make the extra effort to visit a reputable zoo or wildlife sanctuary instead.
Many zoos present possible health and psychological problems for the animals.
To preserve genetic diversity and prevent inbreeding in zoos, most zoos use one of two methods: contraception or “guided euthanasia.”
In the case of contraception, you can use contraception or add hormones to your food. However , as Fast Company’s Brian Keithman writes , there are serious health risks associated with the use of contraception in animals. Some large cats injected with hormonal implants may develop tumors ; elephants under control of birth may have trouble resuming their reproductive cycle after they move away from it.
Other zoos use euthanasia as a means of removing “unnecessary” offspring; For example, Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark euthanizes some of its animals.
The practice of keeping animals in confined spaces also does not contribute to their welfare. “If you’ve ever been to a zoo, you may have noticed how some animals, especially wild cats , often move back and forth inside their cages, “ writes Fast Company’s Cateman. ” According to zoologists , this repetitive behavior (known as ‘stereotyping’) represents an attempt to cope with non-stimulating or small enclosures.”
Mental health problems caused by enclosed or small enclosures is a growing area of research, with some researchers suggesting symptoms of depression and phobias in at least a few captive animals.
How to find a more ethical zoo
If you are planning your next visit to the zoo, however, there is an accredited organization in the US that can better ensure you attend a more ethical setting.
The non-profit association of zoos and aquariums accredits organizations based on the protection and conservation of animals. There are currently 236 accredited aquariums and zoos. According to the representative of the association, AZA members also donate millions for environmental protection activities. “When you visit an AZA-accredited institution, your visit really matters,” they said in an email. You can browse this list and find your local zoo on the AZA website .
Visit an accredited nature reserve
If you don’t want to visit zoos at all, animal shelters are another option. According to National Geographic , wildlife sanctuaries accept abused, unsupervised or abandoned animals and gain more space; the reserves also do not breed animals. “We strongly encourage people to visit nature reserves and not zoos because they don’t have a commercial model like zoos,” a Catskill Animal Sanctuary spokesperson said in an email. “The main goal of the reserves is to help animals, not make a profit.”
However, the label “sanctuary” is easily misused. To find ethical , you should take a look at photos on social media; suitable shelters should try to reproduce the habitat of the animals and provide them with adequate space and physical stimulation (eg leveling fields or swimming ponds). And stay away from nature reserves that allow you to come into physical contact with animals, such as adult zoos; in general, this is a good indicator that this place is not so respectable. At places like Woodstock Farm Sanctuary , one such accredited organization in High Falls, NY, you can feed farm animals across 150 acres.
To find a reputable sanctuary, visit the web – site of the Global Federation of Animal shelters , which similarly accredits these groups on the basis of their treatment of animals, for example, the policy of the reserve in respect of the stages, the acquisition of animals and breeding. You can visit these reserves and know that the animals are cared for as best as possible.