Inhumane Practices In Sea World

Visiting the zoo is a fun family activity that 175 million people do each year (“Zoo Statistics”). However, the animals in the zoo are treated horribly. As a kid, visiting the zoo was one of my favorite activities. I loved watching the animals and spending time with my family, but as I grew older, my joy of the zoo diminished when I realized what was happening to the animals. The mighty tiger that was once strutting across the grass is now a dreary, unhealthy animal that walks aimlessly just to pass the time. Many animals die an unnatural death because of the treatment they receive in zoos and the lack of space reserved for them. Zoos promise to bring in animals that are either endangered or unhealthy; however, a remarkable number of animals
are neither endangered nor are they unhealthy. They are stolen from their natural habitats all over the world and put into a cramped, confined prisons. For example, polar bears are kept in a zoo enclosure one-millionth the size of their natural habitat (Derr). The small cage prevents the animal from hunting, exercising, and interacting with other animals. The animals are imprisoned to make a profit for the zoo. To increase a zoo’s profit, zookeepers force animals to procreate, and the newborns are used to drum up more business. The unnatural change transition causes a multitude of physical and mental health problems to these animals. Zoos should be shut down because they force animals into a miserable existence for the sole purpose of entertaining humans. In the past few years, Sea World has made headlines with reformers and social activists calling for them to end their cruel practices.
There have been several investigations into their inhumane practices. Tragically, Sea World is responsible for thirty-six unnatural orca deaths since 1971 (“Lives Stolen”). Some of the causes include diseases, stillbirth complications, and infections (“Lives Stolen”). None of these orcas died from old age. All these deaths occurred due to conditions of their captivity. Wild orcas have an average lifespan of thirty to fifty years, but in captivity the oldest orca was only twenty-six years old (“Lives Stolen”). These horrors only accounts for one species out of 6,126 species housed in all zoos (“Zoo Statistics”). Zoos are not only unsafe for animals, but also for humans. Over the past twenty-six years, 256 injuries have occurred from animal attacks (Romain). Of those injuries, thirty-three deaths have been reported (Romain). The injuries and deaths are of both the animal trainers and audience. Zoos practice an unmoral act to reduce attacks, they force antipsychotic medication down the throats of those animals to keep them more docile. Medication is not ethical, instead, animals should remain in their natural habitats, not pinned up in close proximity to people. Since animals are not in their natural homes, they perform unnatural habits such as self-abuse, pacing, swaying, boredom, and stress-induced behavior. Unlike in the zoo, animals out in
the wild have miles and miles where they can roam, run, and explore. Animals, especially large animals, will do anything for more room. For example, orcas are known to slam themselves against the walls of their containers (Bardroff). They also bite on the bars that hold their tank, which leads to their teeth becoming shattered, chipped, and broken (Bardroff). In some cases, orcas, whales, and dolphins are known to jump over their tank as they try to escape (Bardroff).
Although the tragic elements of zoos have been exposed, many people still enjoy attending zoos and want to keep them open.
Some argue that zoos are fundamental to the education of their children. Additionally, some believe zoos allow children to bond with the animals. However, since animals are trapped in smaller environments, they act differently than they do in the wild. Therefore, there is no real educational value in observing these trapped animals. Animals in confinement do not hunt, play, or act as they do in their natural habitat, hence children are learning false behaviors of animals. Zoo advocates also espouse the belief that zoos are instrumental in protecting endangered species. Nevertheless, only seventeen percent of the species in zoos are endangered (“Zoo Statistics”). Many of the endangered species in zoos are stolen from the wilderness and the chances of being released back are nearly impossible because zoos need them for money (Russo). Furthermore, zoos do not release endangered animals because their ability to survive in the wild has greatly diminished as a result of time spent in captivity (Russo). The best way to preserve animals in danger of extinction is to protect them in their natural habitats, not imprison them in
zoos.
In addition to ticket sales, zoos gain money from gift shops, donations, and the sale of food and beverages. The average annual income for a zoo is five billion dollars (“Zoo Statistics”). Zoos spend their excessive amounts of money to build larger attractions rather than donating it to a wildlife conservation effort. For example, hundreds of zoos use their extra revenue to build huge water attractions. Also, since infant animals attract more customers and provide more income than adult animals, numerous zoos spend money to force breed animals to have more babies, which generates even more money for the zoo. They even allow people to name the newborn animal in exchange for money. All these newborns cause an overpopulation in the zoo (Henn). These surplus animals are usually transferred to smaller zoos (Henn). If no zoos will take the animals, they are sold to circuses, individuals, or private zoos (Henn). Individuals who buy the animals include taxidermists, auctioneers, and game hunters. Game hunters place the animals out in the open, but not in the wild. They kill them for fun and display the stuffed and mounted corpses as trophies (Henn). If they are not sold, the unwanted animals are euthanized (Henn).
Loss of jobs is the only negative aspect of closing the zoos. About 142,000 people (including janitors, biologists, and veterinarians) would lose their jobs, but they can easily obtain another job (“Zoo Statistics”). The workers in jobs that require less skill and no degree, such as a gift shop attendant, can easily get another low paying job. As for the zoologists, biologists, veterinarians, and other higher-paying jobs, there are plenty of options to consider, such as a nature conservation officer, wildlife rehabilitator, animal welfare advocate, and other animal friendly jobs. Even though people will be jobless for a short period, the transfer of jobs encourages protecting the wildlife. Animals would be free and they would have many supporters protecting that right. All in all, animals should not be locked up as prisoners just because they are amazing to watch. Any decent and caring person who wants to learn more about animals should watch video presentations rather seeing them miserable in a cage. Zoos are outdated, and statistics show they are extremely harmful and destructive. When locked in a tiny area, animals display signs of psychosis, such as depression and suicide. Physical harm occurs as well, such as disease and death. Although animals need more space, they are only thought of as entertainment. To join the movement for the closure of zoos and raise awareness of the safety of animals, there are several online petitions to sign promising to never visit zoos. These websites also spread the facts, statistics, and awareness that zoos are corrupt. The destiny of all current and future zoo animals lies in the hands of humans. We will either be their untimely demise or their salvation.