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douglas9

(4,473 posts)
Thu Sep 15, 2022, 07:42 AM Sep 2022

Zoo Troubles: the Plight of Two Pandas Lays Bare the Flaws

Zoos are often viewed as places of entertainment where humans can appreciate the beauty of the various species that can be found in different ecosystems on the planet. Many parents take their children to visit these facilities to let them experience being close to animals, educate them about the species, and emphasize the importance of protecting them. The reality of this seemingly ideal scenario is, however, much more complex and appalling. Animals in zoos suffer greatly and are exploited for entertainment under the guise of education and conservation.

While zoos claim they help to educate the public by giving people an opportunity to observe diverse animals and are also commonly seen as having a role to play in species conservation since they often conduct research and breed animals, at the end of the day they are businesses, and like any other business, they are mainly driven by profits. Vested interests and hidden agendas often determine the treatment of animals in zoos, which heavily impacts the animals’ welfare, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Animals in captivity do not face the challenges and the different stimulations that their counterparts who live in the wild encounter daily. Consequently, they need special enrichment such as toys, different foods and smells, and artificial challenges—like food hiding—to mentally stimulate their senses, deal with boredom, and help these animals live as happily and comfortably as they can in captivity.

https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/09/15/zoo-troubles-the-plight-of-two-pandas-lays-bare-the-flaws/

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Zoo Troubles: the Plight of Two Pandas Lays Bare the Flaws (Original Post) douglas9 Sep 2022 OP
"Memphis Zoo is not necessarily representative of every zoo" Me. Sep 2022 #1
Wild animals aren't going to make it. Humans have leftyladyfrommo Sep 2022 #2

Me.

(35,454 posts)
1. "Memphis Zoo is not necessarily representative of every zoo"
Thu Sep 15, 2022, 07:47 AM
Sep 2022

Memphis can't even take care of people properly

leftyladyfrommo

(19,348 posts)
2. Wild animals aren't going to make it. Humans have
Thu Sep 15, 2022, 08:10 AM
Sep 2022

pushed them to the edge of extinction.

Living in a protected environment is a lot better than being slaughtered by poachers or burned out by loggers and environmental decimation.

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