Disadvantages Of Zoo Animal Behaviour

<<Shiyuan V. Gong>> 9F - D Assessment Zoo Animal Behaviour

Figure 1: The Humboldt Penguin

D Assessment Zoo Animal Behaviour

Scenario and Problem:

Animals around the world are facing extinction at different rates. These are often the consequences of the rapid globalisation of the world. Therefore, preservation of those animals has been very vital for the existence of Planet Earth as it is vital for the eco system our fundamental survival is based on. To preserve animals which are beginning to become extinct, many animals have been held captivity to help conserve their existence.
Animals in captivity and in the Wild have a great contrast in many different ways. These can be reflected in their daily behaviour in their captive or wild environment.

The benefit of staying in a large colony is that it could protect them from large predators. And if necessary they could all become a large “heating system”. Though, they are habitating in a captive environment where there are no predators that could attack or pose a threat for them. Thus, it is neither a benefit nor a limitation. (Vienna’s coldest weather will not do any harm to them as they are genetically used to - 20 and more).
Secondly, the Penguins were swimming around the coasts of the pool, often guided by the people passing by. This behaviour is an obvious limitation for the Penguins. As in the wildlife they are more used to swimming freely in larger areas. (As they can dive for more than 150m).
Thirdly, the Penguins were repeating the same routine daily. This can be regarded as to be a limitation as they are not able to have the freedom they are provided in the wild. But this can be quickly put down by the fact that they are much more safer from outside

Therefore, many countries have taken part in conserving them by keeping the Penguins captive. This has lead to many moral issues regarding the conservation of Humboldt Penguins. Firstly, the Humboldt Penguin usually spends hours of hunting and swimming in the wild, however in the zoos they cannot swim long distances as the area and length of the pool is very limited. Many experts think that generations of penguins who have lived their lives in zoos will have a different body compared to wild penguins as they do not have the need to swim long distances to catch their prey.
Secondly, the Humboldt Penguins are very timid animals, and when put into zoos often the tourists make them even more afraid and shy.
Thirdly, as there will be no need of colonies in zoos as there is danger of predators posed in zoos. Which could ultimately lead to the abolition of colonies. (Although this would take a much longer time, many generations in zoos.)

Economic Impact of Conservation of Humboldt