Running head: THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 1

The Truth About Zoos and Their Effects on Animals

Miya Goss

Saint James High School

Spring 2017
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 2

Abstract

This paper discusses the truth about zoos. The research was conducted through the Google

search engine. Searching the negatives of zoos or the negative health effects zoos have on

animals, brought up several sites related to the topics. Google search engine provided many

different websites and articles that discussed the truth about zoos and the negative health effects

they have on the animals in them. Two main websites that were used were One Green Planet and

PETA, which gave several examples of the ways zoos negatively affected animals. There were

found several other credible websites that gave many facts and examples for my essay. The

websites gave reasons why zoos are not good for animals and the actual truth behind the zoos

claims. These websites gave facts about the zoos such as they are more for entertainment not

education like most zoos claim to be or the negative health effects zoos cause animals to have.

Other sites talked about different truths behind zoos, although zoos claim to be good

conservation for animals they actually do not. Zoos provide an education resource; animals who

are non-native to the location of the zoo are put on display; therefore, people have the

opportunity to see animals from all over the world. Zoos claim to provide conservation for

animals that are at risk of extinction, however, this causes animals to be stripped of their

freedoms they would have in the wild and face neglect and abuse from humans. Although zoos

provide an educational opportunity, this opportunity comes at the cost of the animals. Zoos place

animals in a man-made space that is much smaller than the animals original habitat; captivity

causes the animal to experience mental and physical consequences that free animals do not face.

To correct the problems of animal captivity while maintaining the services provided by the zoo,

the structure of zoos should change to that of animal preserves.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 3

Keywords: negative health effects, PETA, education, neglect, freedom, captivity, zoos.

The Truth About Zoos and Their Effects on Animals

Chapter One

Introduction

Zoos have been around for centuries. The oldest zoos dates all the way back to 1500 B.C.

which was established by Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt (Kulkarni, 2007). Zoos originated as

displays of power by monarchs and existed mainly as such from ancient Egypt to Bourbon

France (Tullis, 2014, para. 5). At this time most zoos were served for entertainment. The

Enlightenment saw the first use of captive animals for research (or what passed for research in

those days), a practice that expanded during the Victorian era, with its fascination with exploring

the natural world (Tullis, 2014, para. 5).

As zoos popularity grew, they spread throughout the world. This first zoo that was

formed in the United States was in New Yorks Central Park (Tullis, 2014). Zoos grew from only

holding a dozen animals to having several thousands ((Isacat, 2015). More and more zoos

popped up all over the world and would come to be a typical day out for a family. In modern

times over 600 million people visit zoos each year (Isacat, 2015).

This essay will go into the depths of zoos. The truth will be revealed about zoos and their

intentions for the animals that are trapped behind their bars. It will give facts proving animals in

zoos suffer from negative health effects both mental and physical. Zoos provide an education

resource; animals who are non-native to the location of the zoo are put on display; therefore,

people have the opportunity to see animals from all over the world. Zoos claim to provide

conservation for animals that are at risk of extinction, however, this causes animals to be stripped
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 4

of their freedoms they would have in the wild and face neglect and abuse from humans.

Although zoos provide an educational opportunity, this opportunity comes at the cost of the

animals. Zoos place animals in a man-made space that is much smaller than the animals original

habitat; captivity causes the animal to experience mental and physical consequences that free

animals do not face. To correct the problems of animal captivity while maintaining the services

provided by the zoo, the structure of zoos should change to that of animal preserves.

Need For Study

This subject needs to be studied to inform the average person can see that zoos really are

not good for animals. Visitor at zoos need to be educated about why certain animal behavior is

not funny but actually a cry for help.

Statement of Problem

The problem of zoos is the negative health effects animals have from being held in

captivity and that zoos do not

Purpose of Study

This paper will discuss the negative health effects zoos have on animals. The purpose of

the essay is to discuss the negative health effects animals suffer from after being in zoos.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 5

Definition of Terms

PETA- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The largest animal rights

organization in the world, with more than 5 million members and supporters. (PETA,

n.d.a., para. 1)

Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS)- Founded in 1957, the Captive Animals

Protection Society (CAPS) is one of the UKs longest-running charities working to

protect animals (Captive, n.d., para. 1).

Wildlife Sanctuaries- A wildlife sanctuary is a place of refuge where abused, injured and

abandoned captive wildlife may live in peace and dignity for the remainder of their lives

(Performing, n.d., para. 1).

Limitations of study

There were not very many limitations for this project, but there were a few. Some

websites that would be used for research were blocked; once a helpdesk ticket was submitted, it

took a couple of days for the page to be unblocked which slowed down the research. Also, there

are not very many charts that can be used as proof and support for the topic.

Summary of Chapter I

As previously stated, chapter one contained needy for study, statement of problem,

purpose of study, definition of terms, limitations of study, summary of chapter one. Chapter two

will contain introduction, scope of study, opposition to topic, support for topic, rational solution

to topic, and summary of chapter two.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 6

Chapter Two

Introduction

Chapter two contains introduction, scope of study, opposition to topic, support for topic,

rational solution to topic, and summary of chapter two. This chapter will contain the facts that

support the argument and also the opposition towards it.

Scope of Study

The main focus of study is the negative health effects zoos have on animals, both mental

and physical. It also discusses the truth behind zoos and goes in depth about what zoos are really

about and what they provide for animals.

Opposition to Topic

Zoos Are a Way of Conservation For Animals

With the world population growing bigger every year, construction companies are

destroying animals habitat to expand cities and neighborhoods. The destruction of animals

habitats results in their death; not only are their homes being destroyed but also their food and

water sources. The chances of a species extinction grows with every animal death, and as the

animals become less and less, the more rare animals become.

Zoos have always claimed to be a way of conservation for animals, they are able to keep

animals that are at risk of extinction in facilities to protect them. Some of these animals include

pandas, elephants, rhinos, polar bears, tigers and more (World, n.d.).
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 7

Zoos Victoria (2015) stated that:

21 % of all known mammals are threatened with extinction

30% of all known, amphibians are threatened with extinction

12% of all known birds are threatened with extinction

28% of all known reptiles are threatened with extinction

37% of all known freshwater fish are threatened with extinction

35% of all known invertebrates are threatened with extinction. (para. 1)

One way that zoos contribute to animals conservation is through captive breeding and

recovery programs for endangered species (Zoos Victoria, 2015). The University of Lyon and

the University of Zurich found in one of their studies that in general, a life in zoos allows

mammals to live longer, (Bird, 2016, para. 2).

Zoos Provide Education For The Public

All around the world, zoos have become a popular destination for classroom field trips,

families, and tourists. In the article, Five Facts About Good Zoos, Zoos Victoria (2015), said

that in 2014 alone 146,136 (para. 9) students participated in learning experiences at Zoos

Victoria. Most zoos also run education programs, which teach people everything they need to

know from caring for animals to taking part in conservation projects (Animals, n.d., para. 12).

Animal education programs provide tons of information about all kinds of animals. These

important educational sessions provide the general public with an insight into not only zoo life

but the harsh reality of illegal hunting, endangered animals and extinction (Animals, para. 12).
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 8

Zoos Allow Average People to Experience Exotic Animals

Zoos provide the average person to experience and interact with exotic animals they

would not normally see. Zoos provide a chance for many people to get relatively close to

animals they are unlikely to see elsewhere (Animals, n.d., para. 2). Although not all zoos are

free of admission, some zoos are. In the article Let's Keep Zoos Rachel Lu (2014) talked about

one specific zoo that does not charge admission, One of the amazing things about Como is that

its free to the public (para. 18). Allowing people to come into zoos and experience all kinds of

animals is also a way to educate them as well, When we see animals in real life, we get a

perspective on the natural world that we just cant get through television (Lu, 2014, para. 19).

Support for Topic

Zoos Cause Animals to Suffer From Negative Health Effects

Zoos claim that they do amazing things for animals everyday, what they do not talk about

are the negative health effects animal suffer from in zoos. With animals living in artificials living

conditions can mess with natural hunting and mating in the article, Animal Facts, it states that

this can cause something called zoochosis in the animal, which is similar to the human

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (Animals, n.d., para. 18). Zoochosis comes in many

forms, some behaviors include:

Bar Biting

Coprophagia (Consuming and playing with excrement)

Self-mutilation/excessive grooming

Circling

Rocking/swaying
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 9

Pacing

Rolling

Twisting

Nodding of the neck or head

Vomiting

Frequent licking (Last Chance, n.d.b., para. 9)

Any species of animal can be subjected to zoochosis, however it may be presented in the

different types of behaviors. The article Beyond the zoo: how captivity affects the mental

well-being of all animals by Di Lamont (2015) stated that Irregular pacing behavior is most

commonly observed in big cats and canids (and other wide-ranging carnivores); exclusively in

captive environments this is considered a locomotion stereotype (para. 4). Lamont (2015) stated

that:

Locomotion stereotypes like pacing are thought to be a result of an inadequate living

environment (restricted space or lack of environmental complexity), while self-directed

behaviors are often a result of stress and anxiety caused by a lack (or excess) of animals

of the same species. (para. 11)

In a specific case a polar bear named Gus who lived in Central Park Zoo would spend up

to 12 (para. 1) hours a day swimming figure eight in his pool enclosure (Smith, 2014). The

odd behavior by the polar bear alarmed visitors at the zoo and raised some concern (Smith,

2014).
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 10

Animal do Not Have The Same Habitats They Would in The Wild

Zoos may try their hardest to provide animals with an enclosure that replicates their

natural habitat, but in reality one can not give an animal the thousands of miles they would travel

in a year. it is extremely difficult for zoos to recreate the natural environment that an elephant is

used to living in (Animals, n.d., para. 14). Most animals in their natural habitat would typically

travel several miles a day, a specific example would elephants. On average a wild elephant

would walk up to 40 (para. 5) miles a day (Last Chance, n.d.a.). However in a zoo, they may

only have a few acres to walk in (Animals, n.d.). The enclosure animals live in while they are at

zoos is only a small fraction of what they would have in the wild, Tigers and lions have around

18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. Polar bears have one million times

less space (Captive, 2010, para. 5). As previously mentioned a polar bear named Gus lives in

the Central Park Zoo; Gus is currently living in an enclosure that is 0.00009% (para. 2) the

size his normal range would be in the wild (Smith, 2014). Melissa White (Personal

Communication, March 14 2017), a worker for PETA, stated

For example, polar bears in zoos are typically confined to spaces that are one-millionth

the size of their minimum home ranges in the wild. Animals who roam across large

distances in nature often go crazy from boredom when placed in zoo enclosures,

endlessly pacing or swimming in circles. (para. 2)

Although zoo architects try their best to replicate animals natural habitat, they just are not

realistic.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 11

Natural conditions such as climate, habitat, and feeding cannot be properly recreated, and

zoos lack sufficient space to reproduce a natural environment, provide a normal social

equilibrium of the species, or maintain a healthy gene pool ordered by natural selection.

(Last Chance, n.d.b., para. 3).

The small space animals are confined to also enables them from having any type of privacy. Zoo

goers are constantly looking down on them in their enclosures.

Zoos do Not Allow Animal to Have The Same Social Experience

Due to lack of space zoos provide for each enclosure, animals do not receive the same

social experience they would in the wild. Animals that would travel in packs or herds many only

have a few companions in zoos due to lack of space. Animals like elephants that would normally

travel in packs of thirty or forty in the wild may only get a couple of other elephants if they

are lucky (Animals, n.d., para. 14). When animals social abilities are messed with it also messes

with their breeding, and natural behavior. The article Animal Kept in Zoos states that by

making animals live in artificial surroundings the zoo is messing with natural mating and hunting

activities (Animals, n.d., para. 18).

Zoos do Not Provide a Good Source of Conservation

As much as zoos may try to provide a source of conservation their efforts fall short. In

the last century there have been 167 attempts to reintroduce a certain species, of which only 16

have been successful (Animals, n.d., para. 19). Although zoos claim they are a way of

conservation for endangered animals, the majority of animals in zoos are not endangered. In fact,

the article Last Chance For Animals said that most of the animals in zoos are not endangered,

orphaned, or injured at all (Last Chance, n.d.b., para. 3). Out of all the zoos in Europe 90%
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 12

(para. 11) of the animals are born in captivity and are not endangered species (Eriksen, 2017). A

study conducted by Captive Animal Protection Society (CAPS) found that almost half of the

animals in breeding programs in the EU were not even endangered in the wild (McArthur,

2017, para. 2).

Zoos breed their animals to grow the animal's population; however, some animals in the

zoos are not full blooded. Lions are a popular in zoos, but the vast majority are generic

animals of hybrid or unknown subspecific status, and therefore of little or no value in

conservation terms (Captive, 2010, para. 29). In one of his articles Paul Tullis (2014) said,

If you ask leading scientists working in the field saving animals if zoos as a whole are doing

enough for conservation, you'll get an emphatic no (para. 4). Zoos may try to provide

conservation, however, their efforts just are not making the cut nor are they doing any good.

Zoos Provide More Entertainment Than Education

At every animal exhibit in zoos, people will see a small board with information about the

animal you are looking at, mostly the name, what part of the world the animals lives in, and

miscellaneous facts. Although there is information all over zoo, do people actually pay attention?

PETA (n.d.) stated that most visitors spend only a few minutes at each display, seeking

entertainment rather than enlightenment (para. 5). Even if the zoo attendants do watch the

animals and learn things they are only learning what the animals do and how they react to

different things in captivity, it is not their natural behavior (Last Chance, n.d.).
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 13

In a study done by Andrew Balmford, a professor at Cambridge University, he found that zoo

goers were not learning anything about the zoo animals, nor their habitats or conservation

(Essay, 2017, para. 3). PETA (n.d.b) found a study that was done over a period of five summers

at a National Zoo:

Over the course of five summers, a curator at the National Zoo followed more than seven

hundred zoo visitors and found that it did not matter what was on display the people

[were] just treating the exhibits like wallpaper. (para. 4)

Zoos Cause Animals to Die Prematurely

Zoos claim on conservation is cancelled out by the premature deaths animals have while

living in zoos. Some animals life expectancy may be cut in half of those who would live in the

wild (Captive, 2010). One animal that sticks out is the elephant. On average an elephant can live

up to 60-70 (para. 30) years in their natural environment in the wild (Sentenac, 2014).

However, elephants in the wild live more than three times as long as those kept in zoos

(Captive, 2010, para. 8). A study done by Journal Science found that zoo elephants life spans

were less than half that found in protected wild populations in Africa and Asia (Smith, 2014,

para. 12). Elephants are not the only specie that is dying prematurely though.

40% of lion cubs die before one month of age. In the wild, only 30% of cubs are thought

to die before they are six months old and at least a third of those deaths are due to factors

which are absent in zoos, like predation. (Captive, 2010, para. 9)

Also there was a case were an infant giraffe was euthanized and then fed to the lions at the zoo

while visitors watched (Eriksen, 2017).

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 14

At Copenhagen Zoo, a two-year-old giraffe named Marius was, as humanely as possible,

euthanized, dissected and fed to the lions while zoo visitors watched (Eriksen, 2017, para. 1).

Solution

Wildlife Sanctuary

The reality is that zoos will most likely never be closed, and someone somewhere will

always have exotic animals in their possession. An alternative to zoos would be an wildlife

sanctuary, where animals are allowed to run free on hundreds of miles of land. A wildlife

sanctuary would allow animals that would not normally live in certain areas to roam freely and

not be confined to small areas. Melissa White (Personal Communication, 2017), a worker for

PETA, said that wildlife preserves are a much better idea! Sanctuaries are also great for animals

because the animals arent there for our benefit. Reputable sanctuaries always focus on whats in

the best interest of the animals, which is so important. (para. 3).

A wildlife sanctuary would allow animals to have better social experiences, more normal

breeding habits, and they would be a little closer to living a normal life. If the wildlife sanctuary

chose to open to the public, they would be able to drive through the sanctuary while staying in

the safety of their vehicles. A sanctuary would still allow the public the opportunity to

experience exotic animals first hand. However, this way would be more beneficial to the

animals. The following chart compares the various aspects of wildlife sanctuaries and zoos.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 15

Animal Sanctuaries vs. Zoos

(Geiger, n.d., Animal Sanctuaries vs. Zoos)

The chart above focuses on the treatment of elephants in an two different elephant/animal

sanctuaries and zoos. It compares treatments such as chaining and bullhooks, social choices, and

space for the animals.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 16

Summary of Chapter 2

Chapter two contained introduction, scope of study, opposition to topic, support for topic,

rational solution to topic, and summary of chapter two. Chapter three will include a personal

reflection over the topic and process.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 17

Chapter Three

Reflection

The best advice I have ever received was Growing up going to the zoo was one of my

favorite summer activities. I had the opportunity to see animals I would never get the chance to

see in the wild. Just like most people, I had no idea what was going on at zoos. I did not know

that the animals were suffering from mental and physical health effects. I was not aware of the

rights that were taken from the animals. To the average person the animals seemed happy; when

they were doing tricks, swimming laps in their pools, or swaying back and forth appearing to

dance. I and other visitors were not educated enough to know that these were more like a cry for

help, not a display of happiness.

The extensive research that I had to do for this paper opened my eyes to so many things I

never knew. Before this process, I was oblivious to what is going on in zoos. After finishing my

research, I have a whole new perspective about zoos. I will always support animal sanctuaries

that take in animals that have been abandoned by zoos or circuses. I hope that the truth comes

out about zoos and people realize what they are.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 18

References

Animals kept in zoos. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2017, from

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Bird, S. (2016, November 16). If mammals live longer in zoos, does that make captivity ok?

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http://www.care2.com/causes/if-mammals-live-longer-in-zoos-does-that-make-captivity-

ok.html

Captive Animals' Protection Society. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from

https://www.captiveanimals.org/about-us

Captive Animals Protection Society. (2010, March 3). 10 facts about zoos. Retrieved March 09,

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Eriksen, D. (2017, January 11). Are zoos good or bad? New documentary gets the definitive

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Hutchins, M., & Conway, W. (2004, October). Zoo vs. sanctuary: An ethical consideration.

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THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 19

Isacat, B. (2015, August). Zoos, animals and animal rights. Retrieved March 20, 2017, from

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THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 20

National Geographic Society. (2012a). aquarium. Retrieved March 21, 2017, from

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Performing Animal Welfare Society. (n.d.). What is a wildlife sanctuary? Retrieved March 20,

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Sentenac, H. (2014, August 28). Empty the cages and tanks! heres the truth about the lives of

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Smith, L. (2014, June 20). Zoos are fun for people but awful for animals. Retrieved March 09,

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THE TRUTH ABOUT ZOOS 21

Tullis, P. (2014, May 02). When you walk into a zoo, are you helping animals or hurting

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