Post by dynastygal on Jul 18, 2009 17:22:51 GMT -5
These were answers I conformed for a debate we had in college. Feel free to use for your own debates.
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Short statement about findings:
It is incredibly hard to ‘conserve’ a species in an artificial environment, especially as the artificial environment and the animals themselves were originally intended for human entertainment.
The environment is rarely simultaneous to that of the species natural environment and that most successfully conservation projects occur only in a secluded section of the original natural habitat, or in countries where the climate is appropriate for the animal.
It is also a fallacy that the majority of British zoos, let alone zoos worldwide, partake in conservation. Only around 5% of around 400 British zoos actually hold species that are endangered. It is estimated that only 3% of this 5% are actually involved in official breeding programmes. Of around 10,000 zoos worldwide, only around 500 or less of these zoos hold endangered species in their collections.
Also, of the estimated 6,000 species that are classified as threatened or endangered only about 120 are in captive breeding programmes, and only 16 species have ever been returned to the wild with varying degrees of success.
Do you think that zoos are beneficial to the survival of endangered species?
No, as stated beforehand, there has been little to no success in conservation programmes based in zoos. Also, as conservation is a word that ultimately makes any paying customer think that a zoo is partaking in a selfless act, many zoos may claim to partake in such but actually don’t.
Captive-bred animals often lack survival skills, especially those normally learned from a parent - finding food, avoiding predators, etc. Some reintroduction projects have had to be suspended indefinitely.
Releases of captive animals also pose a significant disease threat to native populations. In some cases reintroductions have been cancelled after discovering viruses in captive-bred populations that were due to be released in areas where the virus was unknown; in others, native animals have died because of viruses spread by introduced animals.
Zoos still take animals from the wild. Throughout the 1990s over 1,000 elephants were taken from the wild and sold to zoos and circuses, and over 70% of elephants in European zoos today were wild-caught. How can zoos help if they are indeed a part of the problem?
Do zoos consider the welfare of the animals during conservation efforts?
As zoos are a predominately Victorian concept which merely consisted of “zoological gardens” in which the public could merely see animals of an exotic nature whilst not being in any danger themselves – the animals interests were not considered then. And as these zoological gardens were built in small areas with little room for expansion (i.e. London zoo) it is impossible for a lot of zoos to even begin to provide the space and enrichment needed to maintain healthy animals, let alone allow them to breed successfully. There have even been studies where the results have shown only 10% of the species studied had enclosure sizes similar to their minimum home range. 22% of all species in the study were kept in zoo enclosures on average 1,000 times smaller than their minimum home range. These include Asian elephant, chimpanzee, and giraffe and Californian sea lion. If we can’t even provide space adequate for the species, how are we expected to successfully maintain a breeding programme where the requirements of the offspring and parents are met fully?
Do you believe that zoos are beneficial to the public or do you think that zoos could operate in a more private manner?
Overall, Zoos do not educate the public. They misinform the public about conservation and, as if that was not enough, they divert funds from actual conservation to waste on imprisoning sentient beings for the entertainment of the public- whilst animals remain endangered and are even driven to extinction.
Despite their professed concern for animals, zoos remain more "collections" of interesting "items" than actual havens or simulated habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity, bored, cramped, lonely, and far from their natural homes.
Do you think that helping animals back from the brink of extinction is a good thing or do you think that we humans should allow nature to takes its course?
With regards to animals whom have become endangered to human error (i.e. hunting species to an endangered status), we feel it is necessary for us to bring them back up to a steady population. However, this needs to be done sensibly and requires that all the needs are species are met to as much as possible. This includes not sticking them in a country with an environment and climate that greatly differs to their native environment and climate.
Do you think it is right that some zoos believe that euthanasia is the answer to surplus animals that are not endangered?
No, as euthanasia is not the answer. If you keep an animal in a captive environment you are responsible for any potential offspring that may occur. It is not fair on the offspring to have their lives taken away merely because the human chose to place their ancestors in a confined environment that cannot meet the needs of one member of the species, let alone several. If you are going to keep an animal that has the potential to breed, but you don’t have the space for the offspring or know of any potential homes for any offspring then you should make sure that the animal cannot breed. One small operation (spay/neuter) can protect potential suffering of hundreds to thousands of animals.
In the past, British zoos have sold surplus animals to vivisection laboratories and exotic meat farms. Animals are now more likely to be sold into the pet trade, and British zoos buy and sell animals with wildlife dealers around the world. Would those who are really interested in the health and conservation of a species do this?
Do you think it is right to;-
a) Transport animals all over the world so they can take part in conservation efforts.
b) Do you think the methods used in this transport are right?
No. Transport of animals is far from right as they are not provided any enrichment during travel, and for the most part, basic needs are never met.
---
Short statement about findings:
It is incredibly hard to ‘conserve’ a species in an artificial environment, especially as the artificial environment and the animals themselves were originally intended for human entertainment.
The environment is rarely simultaneous to that of the species natural environment and that most successfully conservation projects occur only in a secluded section of the original natural habitat, or in countries where the climate is appropriate for the animal.
It is also a fallacy that the majority of British zoos, let alone zoos worldwide, partake in conservation. Only around 5% of around 400 British zoos actually hold species that are endangered. It is estimated that only 3% of this 5% are actually involved in official breeding programmes. Of around 10,000 zoos worldwide, only around 500 or less of these zoos hold endangered species in their collections.
Also, of the estimated 6,000 species that are classified as threatened or endangered only about 120 are in captive breeding programmes, and only 16 species have ever been returned to the wild with varying degrees of success.
Do you think that zoos are beneficial to the survival of endangered species?
No, as stated beforehand, there has been little to no success in conservation programmes based in zoos. Also, as conservation is a word that ultimately makes any paying customer think that a zoo is partaking in a selfless act, many zoos may claim to partake in such but actually don’t.
Captive-bred animals often lack survival skills, especially those normally learned from a parent - finding food, avoiding predators, etc. Some reintroduction projects have had to be suspended indefinitely.
Releases of captive animals also pose a significant disease threat to native populations. In some cases reintroductions have been cancelled after discovering viruses in captive-bred populations that were due to be released in areas where the virus was unknown; in others, native animals have died because of viruses spread by introduced animals.
Zoos still take animals from the wild. Throughout the 1990s over 1,000 elephants were taken from the wild and sold to zoos and circuses, and over 70% of elephants in European zoos today were wild-caught. How can zoos help if they are indeed a part of the problem?
Do zoos consider the welfare of the animals during conservation efforts?
As zoos are a predominately Victorian concept which merely consisted of “zoological gardens” in which the public could merely see animals of an exotic nature whilst not being in any danger themselves – the animals interests were not considered then. And as these zoological gardens were built in small areas with little room for expansion (i.e. London zoo) it is impossible for a lot of zoos to even begin to provide the space and enrichment needed to maintain healthy animals, let alone allow them to breed successfully. There have even been studies where the results have shown only 10% of the species studied had enclosure sizes similar to their minimum home range. 22% of all species in the study were kept in zoo enclosures on average 1,000 times smaller than their minimum home range. These include Asian elephant, chimpanzee, and giraffe and Californian sea lion. If we can’t even provide space adequate for the species, how are we expected to successfully maintain a breeding programme where the requirements of the offspring and parents are met fully?
Do you believe that zoos are beneficial to the public or do you think that zoos could operate in a more private manner?
Overall, Zoos do not educate the public. They misinform the public about conservation and, as if that was not enough, they divert funds from actual conservation to waste on imprisoning sentient beings for the entertainment of the public- whilst animals remain endangered and are even driven to extinction.
Despite their professed concern for animals, zoos remain more "collections" of interesting "items" than actual havens or simulated habitats. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity, bored, cramped, lonely, and far from their natural homes.
Do you think that helping animals back from the brink of extinction is a good thing or do you think that we humans should allow nature to takes its course?
With regards to animals whom have become endangered to human error (i.e. hunting species to an endangered status), we feel it is necessary for us to bring them back up to a steady population. However, this needs to be done sensibly and requires that all the needs are species are met to as much as possible. This includes not sticking them in a country with an environment and climate that greatly differs to their native environment and climate.
Do you think it is right that some zoos believe that euthanasia is the answer to surplus animals that are not endangered?
No, as euthanasia is not the answer. If you keep an animal in a captive environment you are responsible for any potential offspring that may occur. It is not fair on the offspring to have their lives taken away merely because the human chose to place their ancestors in a confined environment that cannot meet the needs of one member of the species, let alone several. If you are going to keep an animal that has the potential to breed, but you don’t have the space for the offspring or know of any potential homes for any offspring then you should make sure that the animal cannot breed. One small operation (spay/neuter) can protect potential suffering of hundreds to thousands of animals.
In the past, British zoos have sold surplus animals to vivisection laboratories and exotic meat farms. Animals are now more likely to be sold into the pet trade, and British zoos buy and sell animals with wildlife dealers around the world. Would those who are really interested in the health and conservation of a species do this?
Do you think it is right to;-
a) Transport animals all over the world so they can take part in conservation efforts.
b) Do you think the methods used in this transport are right?
No. Transport of animals is far from right as they are not provided any enrichment during travel, and for the most part, basic needs are never met.
.
