When considering the issue of zoos, it is clear that although they may be viewed as helpful, they are a poor alternative to a natural environment. It is unacceptable that animals are suffering while being held captive with unrealistic surroundings. Zoos have a negative effect on animals in several ways: they don’t provide enough space for animals, animals usually show behavioral problems while being forced to stay in a specific area, and they are known to cause animals to die prematurely. Zoos have existed since 3500 B.C. The first zoo discovered was located in Hierakonpolis, Egypt, which was once known as Egypt’s largest urban centre. Remains of several animals such as wildcats, baboons, elephants, and hippos have been located revealed …show more content…
Leopards tend to pull their fur out. Lions spend about 48% of their time pacing when they are held captive in zoos. Arguments are made that animals held captive live safer and longer lives. But, the behavioral problems and rough conditions they tend to experience cause their lives to be shorter than in their natural habitats. For instance, elephants can live up to 50 years in the wild, whereas when they are held captive in zoos they live about 16-18 years. Tigers are confined in an enclosure 0.005% the size of their natural habitat. Elephants are given two companions, but they are used to interacting with over one hundred individuals. Zoo enclosures for the elephants are 60 to 100 times smaller than the tiniest wild areas. There are requirements that must be met by each zoo by the federal Animal Welfare Act. But, the fundamentals are so low that the animals do not necessarily benefit from them. The Animal Welfare act desires only that there is enough space for each of the animals to make normal and postural alterations, with some freedom for mobility. When these requirements are not met, the punishments are mild and deadlines for modifications are given. Zoos use animals captured in the wild and fail to return the animals to their natural habitats. Some zoos refer to themselves as safari parks. They tend to provide more space for animals but they still do not offer regions designed to meet the specific need of each