Does the zoos do more harm than good to the animals?

When I was younger, I thought that the zoo was incredible. The zoo was filled with exotic animals. It seemed like the place they were living in was safe, comfortable and relaxing. However, as I have gotten older, I realized that the zoos were not always the best place for the animals. Although the zoos are good for learning about the different species of animals, zoos do more harm than good to the animals. Zoos can be physically and mentally stressful for the animals and often the enclosures are way too small. This might be a major reason that the animals feel the stress.

Most of the zoos has a sign that says “Do not throw rocks at animals.” but sometimes, people ignore and hurt themselves. In 2007 on December 25th, a tiger named Tatiana at the  San Francisco zoo killed a 17 year old boy.The animal had been taunted by two teenager who were throwing  rocks at the tiger. Then Tatiana got so frustrated and leaped out of the cage, and attacked the boys. Although it is an extreme example of the stresses that animal has, many animals in the zoos are  suffering from stress. The constant crowds causes pressure on the animals, witch can lead to the instance just like the attack or to health problems.

Another example of the stresses is that animals are under at the zoos can be shown with the story of Hansa. Hansa was a female baby elephant born in captivity at the Woodland Park zoo. She was born in year 2000, but after 6 years in year 2006 she died of disease call herpes. This disease was worsened by the anxiety being in the zoo and constant attention. When she was alive, people from everywhere came to the zoo and  took a picture of the first baby elephant, which was born in the zoo. I’m pretty sure that if there were less people who were taking photos, she might have had more chance to survive.

The biggest problem with the zoos are the size of the enclosures is too small for the animals. In wild, the animals would roam around a wood area but in the zoos they have a limited space they can move. This can be another cause of stress and also the animals can lose there characteristic. In the San Diego Safari Park, they don’t keep the animals in cages but they release all the animals in certain large limited places. Because they release all the animals together in one area, this will lead them to survive with using their natural characteristic, and live with less stress.

I also think that this is necessary to all the zoos. I have heard that in some zoos they are now trying to follow the method of the San Diego Safari Park. Although this happening might occur unexpected situations, but for the better result, we need to co operate to make the difference for the animals to live with less stress. I really hope that the animals can have their freedom to live their lives as it was meant to be.   

Tiger, Baby elephant, San Diego Safari Park