Life expectancy is controlled by both the mental and physical health of most animals. In 2020, facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums contributed more than $230 million to conservation efforts. Lack of trees to rain will then lead to less and less vegetation and eventually draught in the area which will force the surviving animals to migrate to areas with better conditions. See Related: Endangered Species in California. Again, this kind of behaviour is unable to be replicated in a zoo. ], [Editors Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Another pro of zoos is their role in animal reproduction. [15], Zoo research is used in other ways such as informing legislation like the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, helping engineers build a robot to move like a sidewinder snake, and encouraging minority students to enter STEM careers. Some species may be kept separated so their breeding behaviors are kept under control. Taking an animal say a big cat, into an enclosed habitat when she cant hunt for herself can be detrimental to her life skills. Only a few of the countries in the entire world have taken animal safety seriously while most of the others do not care about these species. Explore conservationist Damian Aspinalls opinion that zoos are outdated and cruel.. Sadly, once the small animals outgrow their cute phase, the zoo has to get rid of them since feeding and housing them all can get expensive. [4], Captive elephants live about half as long as wild elephants: 18.9 years v. 41.7 years for Asian elephants and 16.9 years v. 35.8 years for African elephants. After the famous wildlife conservationist Geral Durrell opened a zoo in Jersey in 1959, zoos all over the world have embraced the mission of. Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? Zoos study, Animals in captivity are deprived of many things that are important to them, as a result they become lonely and bored. Many zoos have small enclosures that do not allow animals to roam and explore as they would in the wild. There are currently 421 zoological gardens and aquariums and a 2.9% business growth this year despite the pandemic. Heres Why, nationalgeographic.com, Mar. When big predators are brought up on dead meat and never have to hunt for themselves, mingle with the prey they cant hunt, and entertain humans with tricks, they get further from their natural behaviors. YES. This is not surprising. Hear opposing thoughts from a field biologist atthe University of York and the president of the Born Free Foundation about keeping animals in zoos for conservation purposes.