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Zoo Animal Behavior

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The Age of Enlightenment was a period of time in 18th century Europe when scientific research and cognition became an integral part of the community as well as the government. This curiosity towards science also extended to Zoology: the study of animals (Nationalgeorgraphic.org, 2011, para. 12). Ever since then, other nations have followed through and there are now establishments known as zoos that are perceived to be artificial substitutes to natural animal habitats. They seemingly provide safe spaces for vanishing species and offer services for the betterment of animal welfare. However, the practice of keeping caged wild animals began hundreds of years before the first modern zoo was observed. The earliest animal collection recorded in history …show more content…

Away from their natural environment, confined in a stifling cage and rarely engaged in stimulating activities, zoo animals live a monotonous and tedious life with nothing to look forward to. They are deprived of their liberty as they are not allowed to hunt or search for a mate of their own choice. These circumstances therefore cause the zoo animals to become depressed which is evident in their behaviour. Human beings portray abnormal behaviour, such as repetitive rocking and fast-pace walking, when stressed or troubled. While this behaviour is indiscernible in animals in the wild, this is not the case with those in zoos. Studies show that even reputable zoos comprise of an increased percentage of restless animals (Viegas, 2011, para. 3). Zoologists have defined this increasingly common agitated behaviour as zoochosis, wherein animals demonstrate behaviour that might seem endearing to humans such as swaying, rocking endlessly and even deliberately hurting themselves. Jennifer Viegas (2011) states that “the chimps would poke at their own eyes and other body parts, bang themselves against surfaces, pull out their hair, pace, drink urine, and do other things not associated with wild chimpanzee populations” (para. 6). Zoo visitors also have an effect on the animals’ temperament. People unknowingly throw unsuitable food and rocks at the caged creatures, hurting them physically and tormenting them mentally. These actions only worsen their conditions and thus the animals suffer to a greater

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Zoo’s! By: Eliza Momberger       Animals shouldn’t be used as toys and entertainment. Based on the two passages, “Zoos: Joys or Jails,” by Rachel F., and,”Why

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1059 Words | 5 Pages

On July 20th, 1874, the first zoo in the united states was opened in Philadelphia. When opened it featured animals in cages with steel bars and cement flooring. Now one-hundred and forty-three years later it’s a sprawling zoo that focuses on educating its attendees and providing amazing enclosures for the animals. The Philadelphia zoo now features a meerkat maze which gives the meerkats a large funnel system to run around simulating their natural habitat; it also features the Big Cat Crossing which allows animals such as the tigers, lions, pumas, and jaguars to travel across walkways providing much needed free space to prowl (About). Zoos are much needed education centers and research locations to study animals and how to better their lives in and outside captivity.

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They are used to an environment where they could explore. So, when they are placed in an setting that is small and no room to explore then they become bored and “are less active than those housed in larger outdoor enclosures” (Mallupur 2005). These details can ensure psychological and physical problems. According to the article, Self-Injuries Behavior in Zoo Primates, frustration associated with environmental events can lead to self-injuries behaviors. These self-injuries consist of over-grooming, hair-pulling and biting themselves repeatedly.

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744 Words | 3 Pages

But little did we know that it indicates fear rather than joy. Zoo visitors smiling at them can unknowingly have a negative impact on their welfare. Additionally, primates that are being displayed in captivity show more behavioural signs of stress when they are exposed to a loud and noisy environment, which is common in a typical zoo or circus. Apart from that, placing more primates in captivity can produce a vulnerable generation of primates that are unable to defend themselves from a potential danger or predator.

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850 Words | 4 Pages

Researchers of a study performed on wild and captive orangutans write, “…Factors such as improper hygienic situations, improper diet, diseases, obesity, injuries from exhibits, poor adaption to a climate, spread of infections, inbreeding, and social stress might actually increase mortality in captivity”, (De Vries 680). The study described how the modern improvements for zoo animals have only recently matched the average survival rate of wild species. Although this statement is true to some degree, it can also be argued that studies on mental characteristic are not one hundred percent accurate. Another study on assessing the mental health of captive and wild chimpanzees describes the multitude of uncontrollable variables when testing hypothesizes. The testing methods are not catered specifically to nonhuman primates and to other non-vocal species.

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1991 Words | 8 Pages

Primates Behind Bars: Introduction Zoos have been present in society as attraction sites for hundreds of decades. According to the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, there are approximately 10,000-12,000 zoos and animal parks in the world. Zoos have numerous enclosures dedicated solely to one animal species, with primate exhibits being one of the most universally common among all zoos. Zoos are premises for the bondage of creatures, regularly in urban regions where huge numbers of the creatures would not overall be found, with the expectation of contemplating the creatures and showing them to people in general on the loose.

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1685 Words | 7 Pages

One example is that some animals can get a disease called zoochosis and it is shocking what zoos will do when trying to hide it. For instance, “As Dr Keith Lindsay, a biologist with more than 30 years of experience in elephant research and conservation, has said, these are symptoms of “pathological, stereotypical behaviour that is common with disturbed animals in captivity, but which is never seen in the wild”. There are also cases of animals being given antidepressants to hide their unhappiness from visitors. In 2015 Auckland Zoo euthanised a gibbon, Iwani, because he was “severely depressed” and the zoo admitted they could not meet his welfare needs. ”(An unnatural environment)This is significant because it shows that when zoos commit wrongs and take problems into their own hands it most often ends up worse.

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1101 Words | 5 Pages

For the rest of the places, animals need to be returned to or left in their natural habitats. Zoos are often viewed as fun and entertaining due to the different kinds of animals. They are always showing off, looking happy and healthy. What one may not notice is what happens behind the scenes, or maybe in plain sight.

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1284 Words | 6 Pages

Imagine living in the perfect home, the place you’ve always lived with friends, family and thousands of miles to roam around and explore. Only to wake up in a cage with the eyes of humans glaring and the flash of cameras reflecting off the glass wall. It looks like home, but the grass is fake, family and friends are gone, food only comes at certain times and the only roaming there is to do remains in the area of the closure. This is the life of an animal that goes from being wild and free to captive in zoos and aquariums. Zoos and aquariums are institutions that capture live animals and keep them in cages or large enclosures for public exhibition.

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1834 Words | 8 Pages

This argument is split into three main viewpoints, the opinion that zoos harm animals, the opinion that zoos save endangered species, and a mix between the two. Viewpoint number three is more of a critique how zoos are good places where bad things happen and should be reformed. Each option has its own individual pros and cons but a reform of zoos and their standards would be the most economical for zoos and aquariums and this method would also be the least harmful and less stressful for the animals involved. The care and wellbeing of the animals involved should be the number one priority of all groups and by cutting back on over breeding, the phasing out of lager animals that naturally roam large distances, and creating environments that’s sole purpose is to educate people, zoos can become a better place for people and animals

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1786 Words | 8 Pages

Although zoos seem to portray an educational factor they fail to teach people about the natural world. Over 2,800 children were surveyed from the London zoo and demonstrated a lack of learning outcome (Zoos Neither Educate nor Empower Children). Zoos claim they teach children about how to become conservationists, but children fail to believe they can actually make a difference. “It is hardly surprising to learn that most children visiting zoos are neither empowered nor educated by the experience of seeing captive wild animals so far removed from their natural habitat. Zoos present an entirely false view of both the animals themselves and of the real and very urgent issues facing many species in their natural homes,” says Liz Tyson director from Captive Animal’s Protection Society (Zoos Neither Educate nor Empower Children).

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773 Words | 4 Pages

Animals in captivity at zoos constantly struggle with problems including stress, boredom, and confinement (Lin). This piece of evidence explains that small habitats in zoos conclude to many health problems. The last way that zoos make

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932 Words | 4 Pages

Oh no you have just been shot by a tranquilizer dart and you 're put in a truck and you never see your friends and family ever again. Well that 's what happens when animals go to zoos. Zoos are harmful to animals. To begin with, Animals aren 't getting the right diet when they live in zoos. Also, animals are not getting the right amount of space.

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939 Words | 4 Pages

To start, Zoos make animals in confinement hurt each other. According to Spanishzoos.org animals hurt each other. when they are in confinement together. This is bad because if the animals hurt each other they could kill each other or severely injure each other. animals even get ill because of zoos.(Spanishzoos.org).

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1390 Words | 6 Pages

This leads to many concerns from the public on the physical and mental impacts of captivity on the wild animals. This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of zoos to lead us to a possible conclusion whether it is ethical to place animals in captivity. We will also examine if zoos have the best possible facilities to keep animals in captivity. Body One of the advantages of having zoos, is to provide protection to some animals that are endangered.

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