A Lifelong Lockdown

Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels

It’s been 35 days since the lockdown began, and I think it’s fair to state that most of us feel as if we’re imprisoned in cages. That makes me wonder- isn’t this exactly how animals in captivity feel everyday? 

Well, their lives are just as bad as what we’re going through now - worse even. In fact, it is proven that being caged in zoos affects them psychologically. Numerous creatures in captivity, including bears, elephants, monkeys and several others, have developed a disease called zoochosis. Animals suffering from zoochosis are known to rock and sway, bite randomly and pace back and forth excessively. 

To prevent this, zoos often place animals in large enclosures so that they have space to roam around. However, these enclosures are never large enough. For example, a tiger usually needs 60 to 100 square kilometres, but a zoo enclosure can only provide about 22 square metres! Though zoos would like to keep this fact hidden, life in captivity is extremely traumatic for most animals. 

Zoos often defend themselves by claiming that by keeping these beasts, they are protecting them from endangerment. Well, if that’s truly their reason for capturing creatures, why not work towards safeguarding them in their own habitats instead? 

When animals are conserved in their own homes, there is a beneficial effect on the entire ecosystem surrounding them. A classic instance of this is when wolves were reintroduced into the Yellowstone National Park in the USA. Before the wolves were brought in, the numbers of deer had increased dramatically and they had destroyed most of the vegetation in the park by overgrazing. The wolves began to hunt these deer, forcing them to avoid certain parts of the park where they could be easily spotted. Hence, safe from overgrazing, the plants and trees in those parts of the park started to flourish. This led to birds and beavers moving in. The beavers built dams, which served as homes for several more species such as otters, ducks, fish, reptiles and amphibians. Eventually, this resulted in a change in the behaviour of the rivers! And that is why animals should be allowed to thrive in their own habitats.

Furthermore, there is substantial evidence of zoos mistreating animals, including a healthy giraffe being killed and fed to lions at Copenhagen Zoo in 2014 and elephants being beaten and chained at Mysore Zoo in the same year. Even without direct abuse, most animals in captivity die prematurely, because they are just not supposed to live in zoos. 

Several people argue that the existence of zoos is still acceptable as zoos educate their visitors about different species. However, there are a variety of studies that prove that these menageries exist only to make money, and not for any other noble purpose. For example, a survey conducted in four zoos in USA showed that 86% of visitors were only there for recreational, rather than educational, reasons. If you truly want to learn about different types of animals, you don’t have to visit a zoo for it. With today’s technology, you can learn so much by just sitting at home. 

Have you ever wondered what happens to the creatures that are no longer profitable to their zoos? Well, these “surplus” animals are usually just killed, and not in small numbers. In fact, the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) has estimated that its members cull between three and five thousand animals every year! Does your conscience really allow you to contribute to this murder just for entertainment?

Now that I’ve laid out the facts for you, it’s time for you to decide. Can you give up visiting these cruel establishments for the sake of thousands of animals around the globe? Or will you choose to encourage the torture and murder of living beings? The ball is in your court.