Should There Still Be Zoos?

Some people do not like the idea of keeping animals in captivity but long gone are

the days when animals were kept locked in cages to be stared at with no regard to their feelings or being kept in unnatural surroundings. Nowadays the main work of wildlife parks and zoos is conservation, particularly of endangered species. They try their utmost to make enclosures as close to the natural habitat of the animals origins as possible. More and more the public are being encouraged to see not only the extent of conservation work but also to join in the day-to-day work involved in looking after animals.

Individuals can shadow a keeper for a day and learn all about looking after and feeding big cats, primates, reptiles, penguins and lemurs. Of course the animals should still be classed as wild even if they have been born in captivity but many are not aggressive if handled correctly. They get to know their keepers and therefore it is safe to have supervised visits or feeding sessions with giraffes, elephants, meerkats and even red pandas.

Meeting the animals face-to-face may not be an option but there are other ways to support the conservation work that the wildlife organisations are trying to do. The ZSL (Zoological Society of London), the governing body of both London and Whipsnade Zoos, has for example a permanent animal adoption campaign running along with many other zoos around the world. A wide variety of animals can be adopted, the progress of which can then be followed through newsletters and updates provided by the zoo in return for an adoption fee which then funds more conservation work. The choice of animals is endless from monkeys, meerkats, brown bears and polar bears to rhinos, elephants, seals and penguins. Of course support can also be lent by becoming a member of a wildlife organisation which in Britain would include the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Wildlife Trust or RSPB to name but a few. All of these organisations strive to maintain or even reclaim lost habitats for the indigenous wildlife and birds and also visiting migrant birds.

Some people have an irrational fear of certain kinds of animals, my wife for example cant stand the sight of spiders and wont go anywhere near one, if she finds one in the house then it becomes my job to get rid of it. In fact Im so well trained now that if I find one I get rid of it before she even sees it! For these people the zoos offer another service, that of confronting whatever the nemesis might be. Though I dont think Ill ever get Zoe to tickle a tarantula or snuggle up to a snake. By meeting the feared animal, usually in a series of encounters, people become de-sensitised and can usually at least stand to be in the same room as the animal without breaking into a sweat or panicking; some people can be totally cured with this kind of psychological approach.

Whether you agree with that fact that animals are kept in captivity or semi-wild conditions, zoos and wildlife parks are definitely here to stay. It has to be admitted that they do some sterling work in conservation of both species and habitat; this ensures that our dwindling and endangered animals do not follow the fate of the poor old dodo and become extinct.

by: Bruno Blackstone

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