Zoochosis: Captive Animals In Captivity

People around the world consider zoos a safe haven for animals. Visitors are told that all animals are provided proper health care and feel content with their environment. The truth is, most people aren't aware that many of the animals suffer from ‘human mental health issues’. Zoo animals aren't benefiting from zoos, in fact, it’s just the opposite. Through our research, we’ve found, “An Oxford University study based on four decades of observing animals in captivity and in the wild found that animals such as polar bears, lions, tigers, and cheetahs “show the most evidence of stress and/or psychological dysfunction in captivity” and concluded that “the keeping of naturally wide-ranging carnivores should be either fundamentally improved or phased
The conditions animals are placed in negativity affects their health and can result with disease such as zoochosis. Zoochosis is not normally found in animals that live freely in the wild, but only captive animals. These diseases only showing up in captive animals prove that enclosing animals in cages only brings misfortune. These problems are serious and research has found that, “Keeping animals in captivity can, and does, cause immense mental suffering to the species put on display for our pleasure… Zoochosis is the term used to describe the stereotypical behaviour of animals in captivity. Stereotypic behaviour is defined as a repetitive, invariant behaviour pattern with no obvious goal or function. Stereotypic behaviour is not seen in animals in the wild and is understood to be abnormal and is therefore a negative factor in conservation captive breeding” (Wildlife New Zealand). Examples of this can be seen at most zoos in such behaviours as: Bar Biting, Neck Twisting, Tongue Playing, Excessive Grooming, Head Bobbing, Coprophagia, Swaying/Pacing/Circling, Excessive Grooming, Vomiting, and Self
The physical and mental frustrations of captivity often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior” (PETA). Because of these restrictions, animals are suffering from diseases that aren't natural to them. These abnormal behaviors should not exists in these animals. The sole fact that this self harming behavior exists proves that zoos only bring unbeneficial experiences. These diseases are not only very harmful to their body physically and mentally, but they could be the cause of animal suicide. This was the case for a dolphin, “She was really depressed... You have to understand dolphins and whales are not [involuntary] air breathers like we are. Every breath they take is a conscious effort. They can end their life whenever. She swam into my arms and looked me right in the eye, took a breath and didn't take another one. I let her go and she sank straight down on her belly to the bottom of the tank," said O'Barry” (Oddee). Many people have been skeptical about the authenticity of this case. But O’Barry was her trainer, and was very close to the intelligent