The Human Inability to Safeguard Captive Animals: A Call for Change
Another zoo death: Do we really need zoos?
The tragic July 19th death of Baffin, a seven-year-old polar bear at the Calgary Zoo, has once again highlighted the human inability to adequately safeguard captive animals. This incident underscores the urgent need for a reevaluation of how we care for and manage animals in captivity. As someone deeply entrenched in animal welfare, I believe it is imperative to address the systemic issues that continue to jeopardize the lives of these creatures.
A Tragic Incident
On a seemingly ordinary Friday morning, the Calgary Zoo was shaken by the sudden death of Baffin, a polar bear known for his playful nature. The zoo's animal care team responded swiftly when Baffin failed to resurface from a pool after sparring with another bear, but their efforts were in vain. The cause of death, as revealed by a necropsy, was drowning following a "crushing" bite injury to his trachea by eight-year-old polar bear Siku during rough play.
The Broader Context
Zoos and aquariums often tout their roles in conservation and education, yet incidents like Baffin's death reveal a horrific contrast between these noble goals and the harsh realities of captivity. The stress of confinement, inadequate facilities, and sometimes insufficient care can lead to premature deaths and suffering. Baffin's death is part of a disturbing trend. According to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports, the mortality rate of captive animals often surpasses that of their wild counterparts. For instance, elephants in European zoos live on average 17 years, compared to 56 years in the wild.
Systemic Issues
The root of the problem lies in the systemic issues that plague captive animal management:
Inadequate Enclosures: Many facilities fail to provide environments that adequately mimic the natural habitats of the animals they house. This can lead to physical and psychological stress, contributing to health issues and abnormal behaviors. Baffin and Siku's enclosure, despite costing $11.5 million, could not prevent this tragedy, raising questions about the efficacy of current habitat designs and investments.
Lack of Proper Veterinary Care: While many zoos have veterinary staff, the level of care can vary significantly. Regular health checks and prompt medical interventions are crucial, yet they are not always guaranteed. Baffin's sudden death suggests that even with regular monitoring, critical signs can be missed, and decisive action can come too late.
Insufficient Staff Training: Properly trained staff are essential for the well-being of captive animals. This includes understanding animal behavior, providing appropriate enrichment, and recognizing signs of distress or illness. The quick response by staff to Baffin's disappearance shows dedication but also highlights the limitations of current practices.
Ethical Considerations: The ethical implications of keeping animals in captivity for entertainment or education must be continually reassessed. Are we truly serving the best interests of these animals, or are we prioritizing human desires over animal welfare? The death of Baffin, an animal that was supposed to be a symbol of conservation, underscores this ethical dilemma.
The Illusion of Conservation
The concept of conservation in zoos is often blown drastically out of proportion. Many zoos claim to be at the forefront of conservation efforts, yet their financial priorities tell a different story. According to a report by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), $252.2 million was spent on field conservation in 119 countries in 2022. However, the overall economic contribution of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums was more than $22.5 billion to the U.S. economy alone, indicating that a substantial portion of zoo budgets is allocated to operations and construction, with a fraction actually dedicated to direct conservation projects.
Moreover, zoos create a dangerous future for their animals. Many species that reside almost entirely in zoos will not be able to survive in the wild. Captive animals seldom learn crucial survival skills and often become too habituated to human contact. This makes the zoos’ efforts to maintain the species meaningless if the species cannot exist in the wild, further emphasizing that zoos care only for their business.
Additional Examples of Systemic Failures
Baffin's death is not an isolated incident. Similar tragedies have occurred in other zoos, further illustrating the systemic nature of these issues:
Marius the Giraffe: In 2014, the Copenhagen Zoo euthanized a healthy young giraffe named Marius to prevent inbreeding. Despite public outcry and offers from other zoos to take him, Marius was killed and dissected in front of visitors, highlighting the ethical dilemmas and management failures in zoos.
Harambe the Gorilla: In 2016, a western lowland gorilla named Harambe was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a three-year-old boy climbed into his enclosure. The incident raised questions about enclosure safety, staff training, and emergency response protocols.
SeaWorld's Orcas: The documentary "Blackfish" brought to light the plight of orcas in captivity at SeaWorld. The film detailed the physical and psychological stress experienced by these intelligent marine mammals, leading to premature deaths and aggressive behaviors.
A Call for Change
To address these issues, several steps must be taken:
Enhanced Regulations: Stricter regulations and oversight are needed to ensure that all facilities meet high standards of animal care. This includes regular inspections and penalties for non-compliance.
Improved Enclosures: Investments must be made to create enclosures that better replicate natural habitats, providing animals with the space and stimulation they need to thrive.
Comprehensive Training: Staff training programs should be mandatory and ongoing, ensuring that all personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to care for the animals responsibly.
Ethical Review Boards: Establishing independent ethical review boards can help ensure that the interests of the animals are prioritized. These boards can oversee the acquisition, care, and management of animals in captivity.
Conclusion
The death of Baffin is a tragic reminder of our ongoing failures in safeguarding captive animals. It is a call to action for all of us involved in animal welfare to push for systemic changes that prioritize the well-being of these creatures. Through enhanced regulations, improved facilities, comprehensive training, and ethical oversight, we can begin to address the deep-rooted issues that continue to put captive animals at risk.
As we mourn the loss of Baffin, let us also commit to making the necessary changes to prevent such tragedies in the future. The lives of countless animals depend on our ability to learn from these incidents and to act with compassion and responsibility.
Post Script: For more detailed discussions on similar incidents and systemic issues in zoo management, refer to previous articles in Animal Politics Archive (type “zoo” in the search function.
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
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.
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?