For more fabulous posts like this, visit: http://musingsfromatangledmind.com/2014/06/28/another-rant-or-what-is-a-zoos-worth/comment-page-1/#comment-848 For someone who walks around with animal well-being on the brain all day it should come as no surprise that the concept of a zoo stirs up some strong emotions.

1. Musings from a Tangled Mind
JUNE 28, 2014 by MUSINGS FROM A TANGLED MIND
Another Rant — or What is a Zoo’s Worth?
For someone who walks around with animal well-being on the brain all day it should come as no
surprise that the concept of a zoo stirs up some strong emotions. Most of us have fond memories of
going to the zoo on a school trip and seeing some of the most amazing animals the world has to offer.
I know that I’ve always loved the zoo. Never did we consider the conditions the animals were being
kept in, the possible struggle they feel being kept in a small pen when their DNA is screaming for
acres of open land, or the lack of social stimulation they have by restricting their interactions with
others of their species.
Through one prism a zoo is just like a prison. The only difference is that the animals didn’t do
anything to be there. They’re not convicted felons, arsonists, thieves, and rapists. And yet I feel like
they’re treated similarly to an extent. Many zoos around the world are poorly maintained and these
innocent animals suffer for it. A prime example of course is the Copenhagen Zoo
(http://musingsfromatangledmind.com/2014/03/29/zoo-blues/). The brilliant officials running that
place thought it was best to kill a giraffe simply because they had over-bred/inbred their giraffe
family. The giraffe’s genes were too similar to the other giraffes in the breeding program therefore it
wouldn’t be wise to continue mashing those chromosomes together. This was not the giraffe’s fault. It
did not ask to be the child of a small gene pool. Regardless, it was punished as if it did make the
choice to be incompatible. A cruel and pointless death of a perfectly healthy creature.
Likewise, the very same zoo mismanaged their lion pride
(http://musingsfromatangledmind.com/2014/03/29/zoo-blues/) and killed four healthy lions (two
older males and two cubs) to bring in one younger male who was apparently ready to knock up a
lioness immediately and would’ve killed the cubs in no time. I’m guessing the idea to perhaps…oh I
don’t know…separate the cubs and new male just didn’t cross the officials’ minds. Or even better,
leave their pride as it was, intact. But it came down to money and the cubs’ lives simply were not
profitable. Sadly, this zoo is not an exception to the rule. Copenhagen is just one of the only ones to
get caught.

2. (https://musingsfromatangledmind.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/elephants-at-philly.jpg)
elephants at Philly Zoo
Breeding aside, the everyday lives the animals endure are something of a concern as well. Giving a
polar bear a pool of water big enough to fit maybe two of them is not the equivalent of being “free.”
It’s not even the illusion of freedom. Do you know how far a polar bear can swim? How far zebras
and elephants can walk? It’s in their nature to roam and the zoo puts a tight lid on that. Nothing
about the way they live is natural. Their food is handed to them. Their mates are introduced at
specific times. They’re constantly surrounded by people pointing and yelling at them. And we
wonder why they pace in circles all day long.
(https://musingsfromatangledmind.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/polar-
bear.jpg)
polar bear at Philly Zoo
Zoo advocates can easily say that they may be getting the best, most nutritious food available. That
the animals are never in danger of being hunted. That by taking them out of nature they are
essentially given a life free of stress. But it’s a known fact that animals in captivity (especially larger
animals) get depressed and while their lifespan may be longer I have reservations regarding it being
more pleasant. In some instances the depression and/or lack of activity leads to chronic illness. So
while they live a long life, is a life in captivity a fair exchange for a few more years? It’s hard to say.

3. (https://musingsfromatangledmind.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/leopard.jpg)
leopard at Philly Zoo
On the other hand, some zoos have excellent programs focusing on saving endangered species. Other
zoos take in wounded animals that would have died if left in the wild. For example, the San Francisco
zoo houses two bald eagles, both of which were found near the brink of death (one is missing its right
wing) but are now basking in the California sunshine rather than turning into compost. There is a zoo
in Virginia that is strictly a rescue zoo taking in animals that have been injured and subsequently
rehabilitated. It’s a small zoo, but hey, the animals in their care would otherwise be dead because
they certainly wouldn’t make it on their own in the wild.
Zoos also give children the chance to see exotic animals up close, hopefully creating a stronger bond
(and therefore empathy) between human and animal that might carry over into a growing affinity for
participating in conservation efforts….an extremely important cause. Plus, if not for a zoo, where else
would most kids get the chance to see a hippo in real life?
In a perfect world we would have wild-life sanctuaries for all the endangered species but let’s face it,
that’s never going to happen. Actually, in a perfect world, there would be no endangered species
because we, as humans, wouldn’t have continually destroyed the habitat of so many fellow creatures
(but that’s a rant for another day). In lieu of wide-spread sanctuaries, if a zoo is truly well run, well
maintained and well-managed maybe it’s a good thing.
I’m not going to lie, I enjoy going to the zoo. Certain ones anyway. Unfortunately there are too many
zoos that aren’t kept up to the standards I think they should be held to. I feel they need to be strictly
monitored but even so, even if the animals are ensured safety by living in this fake habitat; is that
worth the cost of their freedom? Ask yourself this: If you could check into a hotel for the rest of your
life, all food is paid for, no charge, but you could never leave (hmm…that reminds me of a song),
would that be a fair deal? Oh, and people can look in your windows whenever they want. Sound
good? No? So then what’s the cost of your freedom? It’s a difficult question. I certainly don’t have
the answer to it.

4. (https://musingsfromatangledmind.files.wordpress.com/2014/06/penguins.jpg)
penguins at Philly Zoo
This entry was posted in Everyday Musings, Rants and tagged animals, Copenhagen Zoo,
endangered animals, sanctuaries, wildlife, zoo.
Bookmark the permalink.
9 Comments
9 thoughts on “Another Rant — or What is a
Zoo’s Worth?”
risinghawk says:
June 28, 2014 at 5:10 pm
I don’t enjoy zoos anymore – even the few that are good ones – for in every case I find it to be
heartbreaking. I see it in the animals eyes, and I wonder if even the animals that have been saved
from death would rather have died in freedom. But, maybe they don’t think in such grand
concepts, I certainly don’t know. Anyway, as an adult, I have no use for them. Good post! Peace . .
.
Reply
Musings from a Tangled Mind says:
June 28, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I agree with you, it is heartbreaking — especially to see the leopards and lions pace in circles
which is due to stress and depression. When I went to the Philly zoo on a trip with my
daughter’s class, it was very sad to see the penguins, polar bear, and seals living in such small
areas. Some of the habitats were adequate but most were too small, too confined. I know they
work with what they have money-wise, but my daughter and I both came away very
disheartened by the experience.
Reply
risinghawk says:
June 28, 2014 at 5:33 pm
Very sad . . .

5. Laurie Welch says:
June 28, 2014 at 6:11 pm
Thank you for this post. I have not gone to a zoo in decades. When people tell me seeing wild
animals makes them appreciate them, I explain those are not wild animals: they are captured wild
animals. There is a difference. Capturing a wild animal and especially showing it to children, only
gives them the idea of man’s (sic) power over creation (never a fair fight anyway) and our right to
wreak havoc in animal communities. I understand there is some value to taking in injured or
endangered species, but the point should be to return them to the wild AND as you say not to
create the necessity for sanctuaries in the first place!
Heck, even as a child on a field trip to the Los Angeles Zoo, I knew there was something wrong
about a polar bear living in all of that heat!
Reply
Musings from a Tangled Mind says:
June 28, 2014 at 6:56 pm
You’re right about humans feeling a power over animals. I’ve ranted about that on here before
and I’m definitely of the same mindset as you on that subject. I find most zoos to be disturbing
and depressing places. I can count on one hand (and have fingers left over) how many zoos are
run well (in MY opinion). But again, no matter how well run and how well managed, I’m not
sure the “benefits” of captivity are worth the loss of freedom. It’s sort of like a vicious circle
created by humans…we make living in the wild impossible by killing/poaching animals,
stealing their habitat or their food, and then to make up for it we place them in cages so people
can go and look at them. I wish I had the answers to the problem. Although, I think the
answers are easy, it’s the implementation that is impossible.
Reply
chrisrenney says:
June 28, 2014 at 7:59 pm
I am with you 100%. An excellent ‘rant’ or rather powerful argument. The fight should be to
maintain natural habitat, not to use animals as a form of entertainment. Thank you for posting
this.
Reply
Musings from a Tangled Mind says:
June 28, 2014 at 8:58 pm
Thank you for reading! I agree with you completely — the fight should be on maintaining
habitat.
Reply
chrisrenney says:
June 28, 2014 at 9:10 pm
Keep on doing what you are doing!
prior says:
June 29, 2014 at 3:49 am
I want to come back and read this one better – but you make great points –

6. Reply
Lori Hil (@lorihil) says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
June 29, 2014 at 12:04 pm
Some great points! I used to volunteer at a large zoo that was doing some good work. The polar
bears they housed had been rescued from the circus. They were underweight and quite
distraught, but begin to gain and thrive at the larger zoo habitat. These are the instances when the
animals are better off, but it would be great for animals that can stay in the wild to do so. Like you
said, in a perfect world!
Reply
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