Audrey Elms

Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

Born to Be Wild, Not Captive

The ability to view exotic animals from across the world in a zoo environment can be an

unforgettable experience. Watching the creatures in exhibits mimicking their native habitats can

be fascinating. However, is it ethical to keep these animals in captivity? There are many risk

factors keeping them in small spaces that prevent them from being the authentic species observed

in the wild. Animals in confinement have been used and abused for public entertainment, which

has been recognized all the way back to when capturing wild animals first became popular.

In early Egypt and Mesopotamia, the first concept of zoos developed in their ancient

societies around the timeframe 2500 BC (How Did Zoos). Having a captive exotic creature such

as hyenas, cheetahs, falcons, or baboons was a sign of royalty during this period. As time went

on, in other countries such as China, expanded the variety of animals continued to be captured,

such as alligators, tigers, and bears, to show even more dominance in the royal line of power.

These individuals established dangerous expeditions to remote areas of the world to capture rarer

animals. They treated these animals poorly and keepers displayed violence towards them as

entertainment.

Continuing into the 1800s we still see this growing popularity of keeping these creatures

as pets across the world. In places such as London, owners would hold these exotic animals in

cramped cages called menageries. Menageries were the places where very wealthy individuals

would flaunt having captured all these creatures to the public (Travelling Menag). Illustrated

above is a popular oil painting created in the nineteenth century showing Robertsons Royal
 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

Menagerie which was one of the most

popular menageries in London during this

time frame (Travelling Menag). Depending

on an animal's size, they could be viewed

from large cages on the bottom or smaller

cages above them (Travelling Menag).

Keepers would poke and irritate large mammals such as the lions or cheetahs to show they have

control over the most apex predators on the planet. They started a new area of entertainment

called traveling menageries where owners would start wheeling these creatures around the nation

in their cages to fairgrounds, circuses, and theaters (Travelling Menag). Although, they still

displayed inhumane care to the animals and provoked these animals for their own entertainment.

Keepers would force them to learn tricks, dress them up, and even murder these animals for their

own gratification.

Fast forward to 1806 in Vienna, Austria, we see the first actual concept of what an actual

zoo should look like and is one of the oldest zoos still standing today. The growth and popularity

of this zoo is what gained interest in more being established throughout the world. The animals

were displayed to spike public interest, and scientific studies were carried out to understand more

about these animals. In Dublin, Ireland during the year 1831 people began to understand the

medical assistance in studying the creatures. They did this by studying animals that were

deceased, instead of collecting more of the species (How Did Zoos). By 1907, Carl Hageneck

discovered instead of these animals being kept in actual cages, they needed a space that
 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

mimicked their natural habitats and allowed for these exhibits to be more spaced out and people

could go to different areas depending on the animal they want to see. This led to the concept of

creating a simulation for their cages allowing guests to visit them in a more natural setting the

animals were used to (How Did Zoos).

Even with the exhibits designed to imitate what their habitats were like in the wild, it still

is not enough room for them to move freely and causes issues with their mental health. Animals

can become stir-crazy, agitated, and can be watched pacing back and forth in their enclosures

anxiously. This is even more detrimental for animals as large as lions, cheetahs, elephants, and

bears since they require more space to roam. Their exhibits are nothing compared to what they

have in their naturally large territories. These species are also some of the most apex predators

on the planet, meaning they are not prey to others and are not in need of any protection from

zoos since they can fend for themselves.

A study conducted by Dr. Ros Clubb and Dr Georgia Mason from the University of

Oxford, concludes large animals such as bears, cheetahs, or lions that would ordinarily wander

far distances are the species who have the most trouble adapting to these confined spaces.

Carnivores in zoos are being deprived of their natural adaptation to hunt. Dr Ros Clubb states,

“Because of this, zoos have concentrated on stimulating hunting-like behaviors to try to improve

their welfare. But our results suggest that it is even more important to give these animals more

space, or the day-to-day changes in environment they would experience if they were ranging

naturally” (Roaming, Not Hunt). However, being able to accommodate enough room for these

large carnivores in the limited space a zoo owns for all the creature exhibits, does not give the
 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

same feeling for the animal actually being in the wild. Cheetahs are the fastest animals on the

planet, and they especially need the most room since they are seen more often pacing in their tiny

displays.

Large animals in captivity also can increase the dangers of them trying to escape as well,

because of their agitation. In September 2019 in Independence, Kansas, a cougar escaped from

its cage at Riverside Park and Ralph Mitchell Zoo (Pittenger). Zoo visitors were immediately

cleared from the zoo, nevertheless it took three hours before the large dangerous feline was

tranquilized and recaptured (Pittenger). Some animals are not as lucky though. In the UK, a snow

leopard escaped from his exhibit because of a zookeeper’s lack of awareness with proper closing

procedures. With this fault, Dudley Zoo and Castle confirmed that the eight-year-old snow

leopard was shot and killed after escaping his enclosure to ensure the public’s safety (Death of

Marg). There needs to be a change in the way keepers ensure that these animals are as safe as

possible and put more careful efforts to ensure safety, not only for the public, but for the animals

as well so they do not have to pass on from mistakes like this.

These large felines escaping their cages also express the danger for the other animals in

the zoo's safety as well. CNN news concluded on July 14, 2018; a jaguar broke out of his exhibit

at a zoo in Audubon, New Orleans. It killed nine other animals, by chewing through the

stainless-steel barrier poorly enforced (Crespo). With the poorly intact cage for this strong

jaguar, he killed an emu, two foxes, and five alpacas then leaving a third fox in critical condition

which died two days later due to succumbing of its injuries (Crespo).
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Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

Another valid point of why these creatures are in danger of being kept in zoos is because

of the live shows they are forced to perform. Zoos globally receive popularity showing animals

doing unusual tricks. However, Sarah Spooner who studies the effects on animals performing in

shows states workers need to prioritize animals' natural adaptations in zoos because performing

unusual tricks continuously confuses them of what they are meant to do instinctively. Trainers

also need to focus on speaking about conservation action explaining how we can help protect

them. A study was conducted to get an idea of the conservation knowledge of the public before

and after the show and there was no significant increase when this is vital information that needs

to be acknowledged to the public about the how the animal can be protected. These shows also

confuse an animal’s understanding of their true natural adaptations and adds stress on them

emotionally and physically to learn these new tricks. With performances continuously going on

in zoos every day for new visitors, when do these creatures catch a break from practicing these

shows repeatedly?

Sometimes these animals just snap. An example of a performance gone wrong was

during a live show put on for a young girl’s birthday party in Utah at a facility called Scales and

Tails. While the female trainer was feeding an 8 1/2-foot male alligator for the audience, it

latched onto her arm and began to deathroll with her (Stelloh). A bystander jumped in

immediately to help the situation and saved the trainer. This shows how one wrong move with

deciding to do risky stunts or dealing with agitated animals in captivity such as alligators, could

be deadly.
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Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

In Orlando at SeaWorld, an orca trainer paid the ultimate price by being drowned and

killed by a whale named Tilly. The two were going through their normal routine during a show

when she was dragged underwater and drowned by the 22ft and 12,000-pound killer whale.

(Howard) Shocked audience members were evacuated out of the area before completely realizing

what was happening. Tilly had spent his whole life in captivity performing shows constantly for

SeaWorld, and this was not the first trainer he killed while doing it (Howard).

Another form of cruelty in live performance is when animals such as elephants, camels,

and horses are forced to carry visitors on their back for entertainment rides. This can cause fatal

foot and joint problems from carrying the extra weight consistently and walking with very little

breaks. According to investigators for PETA elephants endure cruel taming tactics with bull

hooks and electric shock prods in some facilities (Perle). To continue with these animal rides,

there is a risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases that can be spread from animals to humans or

vice versa. PETA Foundation Deputy General Counsel Delcianna Winders expressed the risks of

animals with communicable diseases lashing out in frustration and if a child was on the back of

one. In 2013 at the Multnomah County Zoo in Oregon, there was conformation from the CDC of

a tuberculosis outbreak in 3 bull elephants at this zoo. The elephants were in contact with 118

individuals and the ones with close contact became infected with this deadly disease (Diagnosis

of Tuberc). There have been too many outbreaks of these zoonotic diseases such as tuberculosis

and E.Coli improperly handled and sometimes keepers do not find out about the animals being

infected with the disease until they are deceased.

 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

Continuing, there is still concern about the animals' physical health in a zoo. Animals in

captivity are becoming obsese. They are fed food high in calories, but do not have the space to

burn off their fat after a meal. Animals such as lemurs which are known to be regularly active

animals in the wild are more likely to be seen fighting obesity. When obesity strikes, they

become lethargic and have the risk of developing coronary heart disease (Schwitzer). Animals

being overweight can also cause problems with pregnancies. The fetus can become too big, and

the mother can potentially miscarry or have problems giving birth (Schwitzer).

With large carnivore species there is still concern with their diet of raw meat containing

diseases such as Trichinae which is a parasitic worm that lives in the small intestine. The bacteria

can grow on the meat, if not stored at proper temperatures. This could end fatal if not treated

immediately. Even if food is properly prepared and met nutritional requirements, the animals are

deprived of appetite behaviors including mastication which they experience when capturing an

animal in the wild. A study conducted by the Iowa State University Department of Animal

Sciences gave exotic cats in two zoos neglected pig heads bones and all, from swine resources to

see if it had a correlation with their behavior (Iske). Once consumed, their behavior significantly

increased and should be an option considered in zoos to give meals in whole to enhance these

environmental enrichments (Iske).

There are ways to provide safe living facilities for animals found in zoos. There are

sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitation centers that are perfect areas for wild animals to reside and

have peace and more freedom to roam. The animals stay wild, have copious amounts of territory

to roam, play, and one can learn more about conservation and still be educated about the animals
 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

like at a zoo (Tatro). It is very inexpensive to see many of the same animals in the facilities that

are based on the animals' well-being and not on public entertainment stuck in large glass boxes.

Sanctuaries also provide proper care to injured animals and can regulate the well-being of

the different creatures more easily than a zookeeper watching over hundreds of species. There

are less animals so there is more time to be devoted to one animal's problems versus

remembering the issues of multiple species. The best part is once they are healed, they are

released back into the wild (Tatro). The animals are less stressed and agitated with more space to

roam. The adjustment is easier since the living area in sanctuaries is more comfortable and has a

much similar feel to what it is like in their natural homes.

There have been many points proven why zoos cannot always provide the best living

opportunity for animals. These creatures should be able to roam freely and not be trapped in a

limited amount of space. From carnivores, all the way too little omnivores like lemurs. Making

sure each animal is given proper care and treatment can be difficult because some facilities might

be doing it correctly but watching out for the unfit zoos is vital to protect these exotic creatures.

Regulating shows and rides each animal is forced to perform and giving them breaks is

essential. Animals can still perform tricks, but having the tricks being somewhat similar to what

they do in their natural adaptation can provide more education about the reality of how they live

in the wild. The creatures might have a decreased stress level when they are not confused as

often. Making sure proper closing procedures in zoos are done to protect animals from being

killed due to ignorant mistakes made by zoos is also important. Regulating eating diets and
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Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

making sure they receive the right amount of nutrients as well are other ways to have zoos

constructing their facilities image around the welfare of the animals.

On the other hand, zoos can be helpful for some species. They provide breeding programs

to replenish the endangered species population. The International Union for Conservation of

Nature (IUCN) presents the most precise facts about the risk status of species of animals, fungus,

and plants in terms of global extinction (Marcy). Zoos accredited by the AZA provide red lists

from the IUCN educating visitors of species critically endangered and how the Association of

Zoos and Aquariums is managing survival programs for them. Living in zoos protects these

endangered species from their predators that they have in the wild and are elemental factors in

educating scientists about how to increase their survival rates.

Another Reason why zoos are helpful is because it helps species whose habitats have

been damaged and destroyed due to humans building consistently. This gives them a safe place

to live without the worry of their environment being demolished due to deforestation. An

example of this is orangutans that are critically endangered due to the abundant amount of palm

oil growth in their habitats that is being harvested for human use. With the popular demand of

palm oil, the orangutans' lives are not being accounted for over the economy. So being saved by

zoos and sanctuaries is their best chance of survival. In November 2018, AZA members came

together and travelled to northern Borneo where the orangutans are native to in order to try and

produce a habitat restoration plan for the orangutans that still resided in the wild (Marcy).

To continue with another evident reason some animals are better off in zoos is because of
 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

the medical attention they are provided within a zoo. Some animal species are saved from the

wild where they could have been a next predator's meal but were saved and are protected in a zoo

facility. Species such as sea turtles, manatees and sea otters are all examples of animals taken in

by zoos and will sometimes release them if they see best fit for their survival (Marcy).

Zoo and Aquariums also are in aid of scientists to understand what needs to be done in

concern of conservation efforts, acceptable actions when taking care of the animals, and more

about the animal in general (Marcy). Facilities associated with the AZA donated over $260

million towards research studying close to 600 different species in 2019 (Marcy). Animal care,

health, and welfare is AZA’s central point of concern followed by understanding the

fundamental biology within the creature's lives. This means they were putting forth substantial

amounts of money towards something beneficial for these animals. Zoos accredited with this

association are ones that are okay to visit since their top priority is animal welfare and finding

out which ones are near you is simple through their website.

In summary, animals in zoos have many more detrimental effects than beneficial ones.

With large animals being kept in small spaces such as lions, cheetahs, and giraffes, they are seen

consistently pacing from stress and agitation being in confined areas. Animals such as camels,

elephants, and horses being used for rides put physical stress on their joints. Animals are at risk

of transmitting diseases and contracting them. While it may be entertaining for families to come

watch all diverse types of animals in one area, when it comes to the welfare of animals in zoos

the bad will usually outweigh the good.

 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

Crespo, Gisela. “Jaguar Escapes Zoo Enclosure, Kills 9 Other Animals | CNN.” CNN, 16 July
2018, https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/14/us/audubon-zoo-jaguar-escapes/index.html.
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Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021

https://www.ksal.com/cougar-captured-after-escaping-at-kansas-zoo/
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 Audrey Elms
Professor Reynolds
ENG 1201
31 October, 2021