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Zoo Animal Behavior

1269 Words6 Pages

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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