Are Zoos really that cruel?

What are animal zoos? According to the Oxford Dictionary, a zoo is an establishment that maintains a collection of wild animals, typically in a park or gardens, for study, conservation, or display to the public. Zoos are often regarded as cruel to animal kind, but what defines cruelty? Being cruel is willfully causing pain or suffering to others or feeling no concern about it. So how exactly are zoos cruel to animals and are there any zoos left that have a sole purpose of protecting them?

Zoos are known for depriving wild animals of their freedom. Keeping animals in small cages stops them from being able to express their natural behavior and instincts. Wild cats, for example, are often beaten for roaring occasionally because they cause visitors to become ‘scared and uncomfortable’. These poor animals are being held against their will to appeal to the public by performing tricks of various kinds. Keep in mind that ‘performing tricks’ isn’t what they were born to do and so the process of teaching the animals and getting them to conduct such ‘amusing performances’ may often involve severe punishment. In 2016, researchers observed that there was a sudden increase in the trend of monkeys in zoos, giving hugs to visitors. Zoos get approximately 15 million visitors per month. When observing undercover, investigators found that when the monkeys got tired they were severely pinched and forced to wake up. Who knew that such a kind gesture by the monkeys would require them to go through such a torturous process?

Because of the many visitors that zoos get, zookeepers cannot always keep an eye on the animals and how they are being treated, especially at rush hour. Children and teenagers often get the temptation to feed the animals processed foods like chocolate, stick their fingers through the cages and scream loudly while mocking the sounds that the animals make. These are all forms of torture for the animals trapped in zoos. They are essentially helpless as they can do nothing to stop it and are forced to live each second of those terrifying and horrifying moments. When snakes are put on visitors shoulders, some get scared and may eventually, throw the poor creatures on the floor. Although it is arguable that fear was what caused such a reckless reaction, the snakes are at risk more. Snakes often have some of their teeth and venom glands removed. This is a painful process and avoids them from having experiences that they normally would in the wild. For comparison sakes, removing a snake’s tooth and/or venom gland is as painful as dislocating a knee except that the pain the animals experience is for a longer period of time.

However, not all zoos are terrible. Some zoos (mostly ones that are well financed) can take good care of their animals. A great example is the Australia Zoo. Founded by Steve Irwin, its main aim is to protect at risk and endangered animals. Over the years the zoo has become more funded and gained more control. This meant that they could buy large acres of land dedicated to one animal species. Because they have more control and power now, they can teach the public about showing kindness to wild animals and domestic animals. They also continue to raise awareness about endangered species and animal cruelty. Every zoo keeper there has a special bond with at least one animal species, making the process of animal torture less common. Australia Zoo also has one of the largest 24/7 animal hospitals in the history of animal healthcare. The dedicated doctors and staff work tirelessly to protect and heal animals in the zoo as well as animals that they come across on the road! To summarize, zoos all over the world have a lot to learn from Australia Zoo and the unconditional love they have for animals.

If Governments all over the world funded and financed zoos better, animals would have better living environments. Creating laws and fines as well as regular checkups can also prevent the act of torturing towards animals. Finally, keep in mind that your donations matter! Most zoos can’t take care of their animals due to lack of consistent financing. If you donate you won’t just be helping the organizations, but the poor animals that have to withstand such cruel acts of torture.

Sithumdi Jayawardhana

Founder of Poetry United