Zoos, SeaWorld should not exist

by Geraldine D.

The majority of students at AHS have most likely gone to the zoo or SeaWorld, especially Riverbanks Zoo since it is located only ten minutes from the high school. Whether it was a field trip, a family trip or just a way to hangout with friends, students are familiar with the concept of animals in cages or tanks. But have they ever thought about whether animals in captivity are good or bad? Have they ever thought about the way these places affect animals? There have been hundreds of zoos and aquariums that have been accused of mistreating their animals.

Society is split on this issue. Some people say the zoo is fun and that it saves animals from being endangered. Others say it's cruel and wild animals shouldn’t be held captive.

Places like SeaWorld and the zoo aren't right places for animals and they shouldn't exist.

First, the animals are given limited space and this could psychologically damage the animals. According to ProCon.org, there was a study of thirty-five species of carnivores that found that zoo enclosures are too small for the animals to continue their regular routine as they would if they were free. Zoochosis is a form of psychosis that develops in animals held captive in zoos. At Least 80% of zoo animals have this order while animals that are in the wild almost never experience these symptoms. For example, parrots will pace or repeatedly play with the same toy. Feather picking can also be a reaction to confinement, stress and boredom.

Secondly, these places are causing harm to animals' physical health. SeaWorld often keeps dolphins, whales and other animals in incompatible tankmates. This causes for the animals to get territorial and fight. Another thing is that more than 300 dolphins and whales have died on SeaWorld's watch. According to seaworldofhurt.com , More than 60 bottlenose dolphins , including 10 stillborn, have died in SeaWorld's parks in the last 15 years.

Lastly, zoos and other instances of animals in captivity use drugs on their animals. Zookeepers sometimes give the animals antidepressants, tranquilizes, or antipsychotic drugs to conceal the distress of the poor animal. According to research, Seaworld was abusing and using drug altrenogest, which is commonly used in domestic horses and pigs to boost the production of young.

Some people will argue that these places aren’t bad because they can prevent the animals from being extinct or can benefit the economy. I disagree.