“ Species Survival Plan Programs.” Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Zoo Animals: Behaviour, Management, and Welfare.
coli infection, cryptosporidiosis, salmonellosis, and dermatomycosis (ringworm). Petting zoos have been linked with numerous incidents of diseases including E.While the child survived and was not badly injured, the gorilla was killed outright. For example, Harambe, a 17-year-old western lowland gorilla, was shot in 2016 when a toddler accidentally fell into his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo. Likewise, people ignore warnings or accidentally get too close to animals, leading to horrific outcomes. Animals sometimes escape their enclosures, endangering themselves as well as people.Even a long history of inadequate care and AWA violations, such as the history of Tony the Truck Stop Tiger, does not necessarily ensure abused animals will be freed. Inadequate space may be indicated by evidence of malnutrition, poor condition, debility, stress, or abnormal behavior patterns." Violations often result in a slap on the wrist and the exhibitor is given a deadline to correct the violation. For example, enclosures must provide "sufficient space to allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. The federal Animal Welfare Act establishes only the most minimal standards for cage size, shelter, health care, ventilation, fencing, food, and water.(A true sanctuary does not buy, sell, or breed animals, but instead takes in unwanted exotic pets, surplus animals from zoos, or injured wildlife that can no longer survive in the wild.) If people want to see wild animals in real life, they can observe wildlife in the wild or visit a sanctuary.Maintaining species diversity within captive breeding facilities is also a challenge. Removing individual specimens from the wild further endangers the wild population because the remaining individuals will be less genetically diverse and may have greater difficulty finding mates.The offspring are forever part of the chain of zoos, circuses, petting zoos, and the exotic pet trade that buys, sells, barters, and generally exploits animals. The vast majority of captive breeding programs do not release animals back into the wild.Some zoos simply kill their surplus animals outright. Surplus animals are sold not only to other zoos, but also to circuses and hunting facilities. Baby animals bring in visitors and money, but this incentive to breed new baby animals leads to overpopulation.Intergenerational bonds are broken when individuals are sold or traded to other zoos.No pen-no matter how humane-or drive-through safari can compare to the freedom of the wild. Animals in captivity suffer from boredom, stress, and confinement.Being a member of an endangered species doesn't mean the individual animals should be afforded fewer rights.
According to AZA, its accreditation guarantees that the organization has undergone strict evaluation by recognized experts to ensure the highest standards of "animal management and care, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition."