Indeed there are many problematic zoos in the world that are really only there as revenue sources - but there are zoos that serve a purpose in life. I refer you to the small, non-profit, Ecomuseum Zoo west of Montreal which has a collection of Quebec-only species, the individuals of which cannot be released into or survive in the wild for many reasons related to health, injury or inappropriate prior socialization etc. These are animals which otherwise would be euthanized. Their conservation. and educational programs are stellar.
Richard, the Ecomuseum Zoo sounds like a wonderful organization, but I would not call it a zoo. It sounds more like a Sanctuary - and in the truest sense of the word! Thank you for sharing!
I confess to some conflict of interest with this 'zoo' as I am one of the members of the board of directors ... but yes, you are right, it does fulfill the purpose of a sanctuary but it is a zoo in as much as without paying visitors and government grants it would not be able to function ... keeping animals humanely is fearfully expensive.
Ahh, I see and can understand your defensiveness. However, the way I would define a zoo vs a sanctuary is that a zoo exploits animals for profit, while a sanctuary saves and protects animals with voluntary support.
I am glad to see you raised the question "Do we really need zoos?"
As a child I thought zoos were wonderful, but as I became more aware I started seeing the obvious evidence of emotional distress- endless pacing or immobile depression. People rightly focus on questions of adequate care and diet, or overt cruel behavior by keepers, but often overlook the distress these animals feel solely from confinement. Human beings who have endured solitary confinement universally describe it as a form of severe torture. It is sadly anthropocentric for us to believe that other species do not experience the same degree of suffering from social isolation. How strange that we use confinement as a form of punishment for human beings, and then see it as perfectly acceptable for other species.
Zoos maybe acceptable for a limited number of animals that cannot survive in the wild, but as a form of Saturday afternoon entertainment, I think they are teaching children the wrong message.
Perhaps we should release the animals and replace them with tax cheats and corrupt politicians?
Thank you, Michael, for your thoughtful response. I appreciate your engagement with the article and your reflections on the emotional distress that captive animals endure. Your comparison to human solitary confinement is a powerful and poignant reminder of the suffering that confinement can cause, regardless of species.
It's true that as we become more aware, the ethical implications of zoos become more apparent. Your suggestion that zoos may only be acceptable for animals that cannot survive in the wild aligns with a more humane and responsible approach to animal care. The idea of replacing animals with tax cheats and corrupt politicians certainly brings a smile, but it also underscores the serious need to rethink how we teach children about wildlife and conservation.
Thank you for contributing to this important conversation. Together, we can continue to advocate for more compassionate and ethical treatment of all animals.
Yes, I think the time is RIGHT NOW to think about this, why are we keeping such large predators and prey animals in enclosures? We still haven't learned anything from the lessons of Tilikum.
Squizz, I completely agree that the time is now to rethink why we continue to keep large predators and prey animals in enclosures. The tragic lessons from Tilikum should have been a wake-up call for all of us about the profound consequences of captivity.
Your insights reinforce the urgent need for change in how we approach the care and conservation of these magnificent creatures. By raising awareness and questioning these practices, we can work towards a future where animals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Thank you for being a part of this important conversation.
I think they would be better to get rid of the zoo's they don't benefit the poor creatures who are born to be in captivity, they need freedom to live their best lives ,in their own habitat.
The numbers tell the tale; non-human animals held in captivity live shorter more restrictive lives than animals who are free. It is also true that they tend to suffer a host of physical and psychogical problems.
Back in 1966, I saw a film, "Born Free," about Elsa the lion cub and Joy & George Adamson. I later read the book. If you can, watch it and read the book. Since then, when I was eight years old, I thought what I think now.
Perry, good to see you are back! Hope you enjoyed your Sabbatical! Thank you for your thoughtful and passionate response. Your observations are on target, and the statistics clearly show that animals in captivity often live shorter and more restrictive lives than their wild counterparts. The physical and psychological problems they endure are significant and troubling.
I would actually take it one step further and just eliminate zoos altogether. It’s cruel and beyond inhumane to keep animals caged for our entertainment. And as you’ve already highlighted, the idea that they are actually championing conservation is a joke. As far as those that tout their “educational” value, have you heard of the Internet? To be clear, I am not talking about dedicated sanctuaries who prioritize rehabilitation of their animals for return to the wild. Or to establishing a safe, natural environment for those that cannot be returned to the wild.
Thank you, Sunny, for your thoughtful response. I completely understand and share your perspective on eliminating zoos altogether. The points you raise about the cruelty and inhumanity of keeping animals in captivity for entertainment, as well as the questionable conservation claims, are valid and resonate deeply with many in the animal welfare community.
I also agree that dedicated sanctuaries, which prioritize rehabilitation and provide safe, natural environments for animals that cannot return to the wild, offer a much more ethical alternative. The role of the Internet in providing educational resources cannot be overstated, and it certainly offers a powerful tool for learning about wildlife without the need for captivity.
Thank you again for your engagement and for sharing your views. Together, we can continue to advocate for better treatment of animals and push for meaningful change.
Oh, Squizz, you are so right. Blackfish had me crying buckets for the Orcas! The honesty of those former hunters was impressive. The mental acuity and anguish of the orcas when taken from their families was 💔. Trainers maimed and killed including Dawn must have sensed these animals are sentient beings who have more love for family than perhaps humans do. Will have to research Tillicum’s current situation. Have you followed Siegfried and Roy in their performances in Las Vegas in years past with white tigers and others? That came to a tragic ending and now both Siegfried and Roy have died. I saw the fabulous show twice in my younger life, front row, recall no barriers. Cannot recall which of the major casinos sponsored the show and house the tigers, but recall it’s been sold and cry to think of the beloved white tiger family’s ultimate fate. So very sorry to hear of the Jasper National Park fire. 🔥 I understand your feeling of grief so very well. Canada indeed seems to have more than its share of fires. Good luck to you.
Judith, I understand your and Squizz' emotional reaction to "Blackfish"—it is a powerful and moving film. The honesty of the former trainers and the evident mental anguish of the orcas are heartbreaking. The bond these animals have with their families is profound, and their suffering in captivity is a poignant reminder of the ethical dilemmas we face.
Your observations are as always on target. If we must maintain zoos for our own viewing and learning, first invest those profits into much more enhanced environs. And why not take in animals who are in need of special care, not those who thrive in their natural habitat? The loss of the polar bear was tragic. Was this the result of increased stress due to habitat, perhaps people nearby agitating these magnificent animals? The killing of the giraffe was inexcusable and simple cruelty. As for the gorilla, how was the child allowed to get into the enclosure? Where was a tranquilizer gun instead of a deadly option? I’m going to find “Blackfish “ and watch. Thank you for calling our attention to these tragedies in planning and failure to use profits to enhance zoos instead of human pocketbooks.
Thank you, Judith, I appreciate your kind words and am glad to hear that my observations resonate with you. Your points about investing profits into creating more enriched environments for zoo animals and prioritizing the care of animals in need are spot on.
The tragic loss of the polar bear and other incidents highlight significant failures in zoo management and the ethical considerations we must address. Your questions about the polar bear's stress and the inadequate responses in other situations underscore the need for systemic changes in how we care for captive animals. Thank you for engaging in this important conversation and for your dedication to advocating for better treatment of animals.
Thank you, Ed. As usual you are very right and your report is well written. Zoo's are an anathema (?). In the 1800's the UK posh londoner's would pay to visit a mental health sanatorium called "Bedlam". There they would tour the premises and goad the residents, all the while taking the mickey and laughing at the poor lost souls. Now that it's not legally allowed to do that anymore I suppose that Animals are the next line. PLEASE wake up every one and realise that treating any living creature in this way is WRONG!!!!
Sorry, Ed. I meant to add a little story about Bristol zoo in South West England. Years ago there was a poor Tiger who showed his, obvious, frustration with the public by turning around and spraying urine all over anyone in range!!!!!🤣
Just a warning about "Blackfish", make sure you have a few boxes of Kleenex. I saw it in theatres twice and didn't have any. I had to use my hoodie coz I was crying so much.
I really think that we need to rethink the whole conservation by zoos argument. I never really understood why we need to keep animals in cages to see them, isn't video or audio, or even VR now enough? I've never been to a zoo as an adult, but I did go to the Ripley's aquarium when it opened in Toronto. Are the jellyfish really happy where they are? Are the fish? I don't really know the answer to that question, honestly.
Thank you, Squizz, for sharing your experience with "Blackfish." It is a powerful and emotional documentary that opens many eyes to the realities of captive animals. I agree with you on rethinking the conservation argument. With the advancements in technology, including video, audio, and virtual reality, there are many ways to experience and learn about wildlife without keeping animals in cages.
Thank you for engaging with the article and for sharing the links. I'll check them out! Together, we can continue to advocate for more humane and innovative ways to connect with and protect wildlife.
Indeed there are many problematic zoos in the world that are really only there as revenue sources - but there are zoos that serve a purpose in life. I refer you to the small, non-profit, Ecomuseum Zoo west of Montreal which has a collection of Quebec-only species, the individuals of which cannot be released into or survive in the wild for many reasons related to health, injury or inappropriate prior socialization etc. These are animals which otherwise would be euthanized. Their conservation. and educational programs are stellar.
https://zooecomuseum.ca/en/
Richard, the Ecomuseum Zoo sounds like a wonderful organization, but I would not call it a zoo. It sounds more like a Sanctuary - and in the truest sense of the word! Thank you for sharing!
I confess to some conflict of interest with this 'zoo' as I am one of the members of the board of directors ... but yes, you are right, it does fulfill the purpose of a sanctuary but it is a zoo in as much as without paying visitors and government grants it would not be able to function ... keeping animals humanely is fearfully expensive.
Ahh, I see and can understand your defensiveness. However, the way I would define a zoo vs a sanctuary is that a zoo exploits animals for profit, while a sanctuary saves and protects animals with voluntary support.
NO we DO NOT need zoos. They’re horrible.
I am glad to see you raised the question "Do we really need zoos?"
As a child I thought zoos were wonderful, but as I became more aware I started seeing the obvious evidence of emotional distress- endless pacing or immobile depression. People rightly focus on questions of adequate care and diet, or overt cruel behavior by keepers, but often overlook the distress these animals feel solely from confinement. Human beings who have endured solitary confinement universally describe it as a form of severe torture. It is sadly anthropocentric for us to believe that other species do not experience the same degree of suffering from social isolation. How strange that we use confinement as a form of punishment for human beings, and then see it as perfectly acceptable for other species.
Zoos maybe acceptable for a limited number of animals that cannot survive in the wild, but as a form of Saturday afternoon entertainment, I think they are teaching children the wrong message.
Perhaps we should release the animals and replace them with tax cheats and corrupt politicians?
Thank you, Michael, for your thoughtful response. I appreciate your engagement with the article and your reflections on the emotional distress that captive animals endure. Your comparison to human solitary confinement is a powerful and poignant reminder of the suffering that confinement can cause, regardless of species.
It's true that as we become more aware, the ethical implications of zoos become more apparent. Your suggestion that zoos may only be acceptable for animals that cannot survive in the wild aligns with a more humane and responsible approach to animal care. The idea of replacing animals with tax cheats and corrupt politicians certainly brings a smile, but it also underscores the serious need to rethink how we teach children about wildlife and conservation.
Thank you for contributing to this important conversation. Together, we can continue to advocate for more compassionate and ethical treatment of all animals.
Well said!!
This goes with your post today. (https://www.cp24.com/news/toronto-zoo-s-youngest-giraffe-matu-dies-during-surgery-1.6977749)
Dear God, they are dropping like flies. Thanks, Squizz!
Yes, I think the time is RIGHT NOW to think about this, why are we keeping such large predators and prey animals in enclosures? We still haven't learned anything from the lessons of Tilikum.
Squizz, I completely agree that the time is now to rethink why we continue to keep large predators and prey animals in enclosures. The tragic lessons from Tilikum should have been a wake-up call for all of us about the profound consequences of captivity.
Your insights reinforce the urgent need for change in how we approach the care and conservation of these magnificent creatures. By raising awareness and questioning these practices, we can work towards a future where animals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Thank you for being a part of this important conversation.
I think they would be better to get rid of the zoo's they don't benefit the poor creatures who are born to be in captivity, they need freedom to live their best lives ,in their own habitat.
The numbers tell the tale; non-human animals held in captivity live shorter more restrictive lives than animals who are free. It is also true that they tend to suffer a host of physical and psychogical problems.
Back in 1966, I saw a film, "Born Free," about Elsa the lion cub and Joy & George Adamson. I later read the book. If you can, watch it and read the book. Since then, when I was eight years old, I thought what I think now.
Perry, good to see you are back! Hope you enjoyed your Sabbatical! Thank you for your thoughtful and passionate response. Your observations are on target, and the statistics clearly show that animals in captivity often live shorter and more restrictive lives than their wild counterparts. The physical and psychological problems they endure are significant and troubling.
I would actually take it one step further and just eliminate zoos altogether. It’s cruel and beyond inhumane to keep animals caged for our entertainment. And as you’ve already highlighted, the idea that they are actually championing conservation is a joke. As far as those that tout their “educational” value, have you heard of the Internet? To be clear, I am not talking about dedicated sanctuaries who prioritize rehabilitation of their animals for return to the wild. Or to establishing a safe, natural environment for those that cannot be returned to the wild.
Thank you, Sunny, for your thoughtful response. I completely understand and share your perspective on eliminating zoos altogether. The points you raise about the cruelty and inhumanity of keeping animals in captivity for entertainment, as well as the questionable conservation claims, are valid and resonate deeply with many in the animal welfare community.
I also agree that dedicated sanctuaries, which prioritize rehabilitation and provide safe, natural environments for animals that cannot return to the wild, offer a much more ethical alternative. The role of the Internet in providing educational resources cannot be overstated, and it certainly offers a powerful tool for learning about wildlife without the need for captivity.
Thank you again for your engagement and for sharing your views. Together, we can continue to advocate for better treatment of animals and push for meaningful change.
Oh, Squizz, you are so right. Blackfish had me crying buckets for the Orcas! The honesty of those former hunters was impressive. The mental acuity and anguish of the orcas when taken from their families was 💔. Trainers maimed and killed including Dawn must have sensed these animals are sentient beings who have more love for family than perhaps humans do. Will have to research Tillicum’s current situation. Have you followed Siegfried and Roy in their performances in Las Vegas in years past with white tigers and others? That came to a tragic ending and now both Siegfried and Roy have died. I saw the fabulous show twice in my younger life, front row, recall no barriers. Cannot recall which of the major casinos sponsored the show and house the tigers, but recall it’s been sold and cry to think of the beloved white tiger family’s ultimate fate. So very sorry to hear of the Jasper National Park fire. 🔥 I understand your feeling of grief so very well. Canada indeed seems to have more than its share of fires. Good luck to you.
Judith, I understand your and Squizz' emotional reaction to "Blackfish"—it is a powerful and moving film. The honesty of the former trainers and the evident mental anguish of the orcas are heartbreaking. The bond these animals have with their families is profound, and their suffering in captivity is a poignant reminder of the ethical dilemmas we face.
Your observations are as always on target. If we must maintain zoos for our own viewing and learning, first invest those profits into much more enhanced environs. And why not take in animals who are in need of special care, not those who thrive in their natural habitat? The loss of the polar bear was tragic. Was this the result of increased stress due to habitat, perhaps people nearby agitating these magnificent animals? The killing of the giraffe was inexcusable and simple cruelty. As for the gorilla, how was the child allowed to get into the enclosure? Where was a tranquilizer gun instead of a deadly option? I’m going to find “Blackfish “ and watch. Thank you for calling our attention to these tragedies in planning and failure to use profits to enhance zoos instead of human pocketbooks.
Thank you, Judith, I appreciate your kind words and am glad to hear that my observations resonate with you. Your points about investing profits into creating more enriched environments for zoo animals and prioritizing the care of animals in need are spot on.
The tragic loss of the polar bear and other incidents highlight significant failures in zoo management and the ethical considerations we must address. Your questions about the polar bear's stress and the inadequate responses in other situations underscore the need for systemic changes in how we care for captive animals. Thank you for engaging in this important conversation and for your dedication to advocating for better treatment of animals.
Thank you, Ed. As usual you are very right and your report is well written. Zoo's are an anathema (?). In the 1800's the UK posh londoner's would pay to visit a mental health sanatorium called "Bedlam". There they would tour the premises and goad the residents, all the while taking the mickey and laughing at the poor lost souls. Now that it's not legally allowed to do that anymore I suppose that Animals are the next line. PLEASE wake up every one and realise that treating any living creature in this way is WRONG!!!!
Sorry, Ed. I meant to add a little story about Bristol zoo in South West England. Years ago there was a poor Tiger who showed his, obvious, frustration with the public by turning around and spraying urine all over anyone in range!!!!!🤣
Revenge of the best kind.
Perfect!
Just a warning about "Blackfish", make sure you have a few boxes of Kleenex. I saw it in theatres twice and didn't have any. I had to use my hoodie coz I was crying so much.
I really think that we need to rethink the whole conservation by zoos argument. I never really understood why we need to keep animals in cages to see them, isn't video or audio, or even VR now enough? I've never been to a zoo as an adult, but I did go to the Ripley's aquarium when it opened in Toronto. Are the jellyfish really happy where they are? Are the fish? I don't really know the answer to that question, honestly.
Also, Ed: you might be interested in this: (https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/ukrainian-ecologists-document-what-they-say-is-russian-ecocide/?mc_cid=a363ea9d37) In Canada, we have a HUGE wildlife that's eating up Jasper National Park. It's breaking up my heart into a million pieces. The fire moved so quickly though, they had to even pull the trained firefighters out and the primer of Alberta, has asked Justin Trudeau for military help with it. (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-wildfire-alberta-1.7273606) It's also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sorry, I forgot to mention that!
Thank you, Squizz, for sharing your experience with "Blackfish." It is a powerful and emotional documentary that opens many eyes to the realities of captive animals. I agree with you on rethinking the conservation argument. With the advancements in technology, including video, audio, and virtual reality, there are many ways to experience and learn about wildlife without keeping animals in cages.
Thank you for engaging with the article and for sharing the links. I'll check them out! Together, we can continue to advocate for more humane and innovative ways to connect with and protect wildlife.
An article here about where Jasper’s (the park) wild animals go for safety during the wildfire: (https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/jasper-wildfires-wildlife-1.7276833)