As a child, a visit to the zoo was like a visit to wonderland. There are animals of all sorts, each seem different and special. I could imagine cartoon characters being brought alive, like Lion King, or Pooh Bear and Tigger - all are happily playing on my wild imagination. Star-struck, I guess. Being up-close and personal with them gave me a lot of pride, especially when talking to my classmates who have never been to a zoo. That was like… 20 years ago!
On one of my recent visits to a zoo in Tokyo, my perception changed. There was this certain sadness and pity that I felt towards the animals inside the zoo. Although the facilities inside the zoo were advanced and perhaps, world-class (it’s Japan, baby!), it’s just inadequate to provide for the animals needs. Keeping animals in artificial enclosures inside zoos is stressful and harmful. The animals become bored and lonely creatures who spend their days shuffling, swaying and pacing back and forth, their eyes sad and empty.
We cannot glimpse the essential life of a caged animal, only the shadow of its former beauty. - Julia Allen Field
Zoos claim that they confine the animals due to the following reasons: conservation, education and research. But is there a better way for all these without keeping them caged inside a zoo?
I say yes.
Wildlife conservation programs and establishing protected reserves are far better solutions than caging animals in zoos. We also need good legislation to protect the habitat of these animals.
The saddest thing about zoos is the way they drive animals mad. Much of the behaviour we take for granted in zoo animals – repetitive padding up and down, head banging, obsessive paw swinging, or just plain moping – is actually psychotic, the sort of thing humans get driven to when they are kept in solitary confinement. - Bill Travers (Star of “Born Free” and co-founder of Zoo Check)
So the next time you visit a zoo, try to see and feel the actual condition of the animals inside. Do you still find it entertaining?
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