Are Zoos important for Conservation?
Zoos have always been a topic of debate, if they are good or bad, with people arguing they save species and educate the public, other people saying it’s cruel for the animals to be in captivity.
For us, both of these opinions are correct.
But the reality is that we cannot put all zoos and other captive environments into one box, as it’s not helpful or very informative. When looking, you need to see each institution on an individual basis. As there are a lot of zoos in the world doing great things, others not so much, only using the animals for profit.
Zoos are able to educate and inform the public about biodiversity and threats animals are facing in wild. They also provide protection to those animals whose habitats are being destroyed or animals that are being poached in the wild.
Also, most zoos do a lot for conservation. They are involved in a lot of conservation projects, funding various national and international organisations; breeding programmes, to re-introduce the animals back in the wild. There are dedicated species survival programmes which have helped species come out from the brink of extinction, good examples of that being the black-footed ferrets, the red wolves, the Przewalski’s wild horse, the California condors, and many more.
Although some reintroductions were successful, many other failed. Nonetheless, zoos are continuing to make efforts to help endangered species in every way they can.
Also, a lot of research is done! Conservation research is conducted on wildlife biology, population dynamics, animal behaviour, health and welfare and there are also publications generated by zoos on animal care and captivity. What we learn about wild animals in captivity can help us manage and conserve them in the wild. From animal behaviour, to reproductive rates to dietary requirements.
Also, if the zoos have a good education programme, the public will be more engaged to care and protect the wildlife.
But, it’s also sad to see the animals confined and closed on (sometimes) small enclosures and with small or no enrichment whatsoever.
Most modern zoos set up naturalistic enclosures to give animals a feel of their natural habitat and design enrichment programmes to emulate the natural behaviour of the captive animal. The vet departments at zoos also take care of animal health and well-being and treat sick or injured animals not only in captivity but also in the wild.
When keeping animals in captivity, a lot of management and research needs to be conducted. Animals in captivity need to have some type of enrichment, as animals in the wild are constantly thinking and searching for food, water, shelter and how to survive, developing all of their skills. But when they are in captivity and away from their natural habitat, the zoos need to make sure the animals are being enriched and challenged.
How do we know if a zoo is good or bad?
We need to take into consideration a few aspects, such as:
- Do they have any form of accreditation?
Accreditation of zoos generally means that the institution maintains the highest standards of care for their animals and provides funding to conservation projects worldwide. Accreditations from places such as WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), AZA (The Association of Zoos and Aquariums) or EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums), have the animal’s wellbeing as a priority. All of these associations are greater contributors to conservation in the world.
These zoos will be involved in captive breeding programmes aimed at maintaining viable populations of animals, they will contribute to the release of animals back into the wild, will also have research programmes looking at all aspects of animal biology.
- Check the animals’ enclosures and wellbeing
A good way to see if the animals are being well treated is by their enclosure and enrichment. The enclosures should have a good size and should replicate the animal’s natural habitat. It’s also important to look for enrichment, typically food based or sensory enrichment. Enrichment is super important to encourage animals to exhibit their natural and wild behaviours.
- Where did the animals came from?
Legitimate institutions will not be removing animals from the wild to keep in captivity. They will obtain animals via ex situ (breeding programmes) from other institutions, always following a detailed genetic studbook, managed by accredited institutions. Animals should only be removed from the wild to be put in captivity in extreme circumstances, when there is no other alternative to save that species.
Zoos that remove animals from the wild, specially babies, are most likely doing it illegally and you shouldn’t support it.
- Do they allow interactions with animals?
For us, that is always a red flag. The only interaction that may be allowed is the feeding of an animal (from the other side of the fence) or touching of a domesticated animal.
In our opinion, physical interactions with a wild animal should not happen. If it’s happening, it’s because the institution is more focused on its visitor (and the money it brings) and not so much on its animals.
Interactions where animals are used as entertainment, such as elephant rides, photos with cute cubs or primates, or animal performances is a bad sign. For those interactions to happen, most of those animals were tortured, starved or drugged.
“Going to the zoo should be about watching the animals living in the most natural possible way and enjoying and respecting this from a distance, just as if you were watching that animal out in the wild in their natural habitat” - Roxy the Zoologist
So even though zoos are doing their best to conserve species both ex-situ and in-situ, there are pros and cons of captive breeding. The pros include restoring population of threatened species, maintaining numbers and genetic diversity, research and developing new strategies for conserving wild species. Research made in zoos increases knowledge of animal biology, genetics, behaviour, interactions and food habits. Zoos provide funding for research and conservation projects across the world. They also provide inspiration and fascination for children who learn about nature and wildlife only at zoos. On the other hand, the negatives of captive breeding are the heavy costs involved, the possibility of inbreeding depression, and only a limited portion of the gene pool being conserved.
What to do you think? Do you think zoos are good for conservation?
References
https://biodiversityconservationblog.wordpress.com/2013/05/31/zoos-an-important-conservation-tool/
https://wildwelfare.org/the-conservation-mission-of-zoos-nabila-aziz/
https://www.roxythezoologist.com/post/how-to-tell-if-a-zoo-is-ethical-or-not
We inspire because we care
Love,
Bea & João
