Issue 3: Allora Vs. Rosa
Topic: Zoos
*Disclaimer* Allora Vs. is a series focused on my own opinions and the opinions of those I interview. I am in no way advocating for or against any of the topics discussed… most of the time. These are simply opinion based discussions about controversial and/or comedic topics in society.
Zoos– we have probably all been to at least one in our lives, or we have seen pictures and videos of friends’ trips and wanted to experience their adventures. That’s okay! It’s great, even. Exotic animals and amazing flora are such fascinating parts of our world, and I do not think we should stifle our exploration of Earth’s incredibly vast habitats. However, it is important to understand the controversies surrounding these man-made money machines, how they affect the animals being kept, and what we can do to support or avoid specific harmful human behaviors when it comes to zoos.
I grew up going to zoos. I’ve always loved animals, and it really showed every time I begged my mom to take us to our local zoo so I could see the snakes, lizards, and big cats. Our family vacations usually involved visiting a well-known zoo or aquarium, and I have some wonderful memories from those days. The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet were the only two stations I knew by heart, and they played on a loop at my house. I grew up loving animals and wanting to learn more about them. What better way to learn than hands-on experiences at the zoo? Nature was such an exciting mystery to me, and I loved how easily accessible those beautiful creatures were. Yet, as I grew older I started to realize how some of the animals looked in those cages, and I wasn’t happy.
I watched the polar bears shrivel in the summer, their fur looking dirty and too big for their thin frames. The faces of the apes made me sad, eyes almost pleading for freedom. Some of the world’s most amazing creatures were being held against their will, and for what? The entertainment of man? It didn’t seem fair. But what about those wildlife reserves and the rehabilitation zoos all over the world? They serve the animals, so clearly not all zoos are bad…right?
I sat down with fellow Loco Mag writer, Rosa, to discuss her thoughts on this confusing gray area.
Q: What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of zoos?
A: I also grew up going to zoos when I was a kid. From class trips to family days, it was a fun thing to do. And what kid doesn’t like animals, so why not? Later on, I don’t exactly know when, but I started to realize these animals were not in their natural habitats. They were in cages and not free to live their lives… I’m all for conservation and rehabilitation, and I do think there are some zoos that have an educational purpose. They spread awareness and knowledge and do what they can to help take care of the environment. But in general, I think animals need to be in their own habitats. I just don’t think we should have them on display for human enjoyment. Polar bears should not be in Philadelphia in August! It’s hot as hell.
Q: I agree with you. I agree with the implication that these places should be about the rehabilitation and release of animals. But there is always the thought in the back of my mind that these animals have lived their whole lives in captivity, and they might not know how to survive in the wild. So how do we solve the problem of keeping these animals in cages, while also being able to help them grow. I fully believe in finding good zoos who take care of their animals and attending those establishments. If we don’t support those places, the animals suffer from lack of funding. How do you think we work our way around that?
A: I totally agree that zoos with integrity need support because if they close, those animals could be transported to a place with less care which would be terrible. So there has to be a way to bring in money to these centers that help animals without exploiting them. I’m not a genius in any way, but there needs to be a program or something that the government leads to make sure zoos aren’t objectifying helpless creatures, but instead are encouraging education and conservation.
Q: What do you think about the zoos aren’t good caretakers? It’s a bit of a catch-22 because we don’t want to support them, but we also don’t want those animals to suffer because the establishment can’t pay for proper care.
A: That’s a good question because I’ve always been someone who won’t give someone money for things I don’t agree with. I don’t go to Chick-Fil-A because I don’t agree with their opinions, so why would I go to a crappy zoo? It sounds bad, but I think removing the animals from that place and relocating them makes the most sense, even though it’s still a different habitat.
Q: But what about the animals who would be put in medical danger if transported?
A: That’s tough because either way you’re putting the animal at risk. I don’t have an answer. I think all of these conversations seem cut and dry until you get into the nitty gritty. But there has to be more conversation. This needs to be talked about a lot more. People need to be aware of these issues. The government needs to be aware of these issues… I mean they probably are, but more needs to be done. I think there are a lot of things that can be done to support the well-being of animals all around the world.
Our discussion soon diverged into the topics of power and humanity, but what Rosa and I wanted to get across was the fragility of any wildlife, and how humans have a tendency to stake claim over things that do not belong to us. By allowing animals to live in captivity, we might feed the minds of the young, teach people about conservation and rehabilitation, and foster a love for nature in growing children, but at what cost? There is no black and white answer, but it’s important to create dialogue to raise these issues.
I am not telling you to stop visiting your local zoos with your kids or stop them from exploring the world around them, I am simply suggesting looking into an alternative that leads to healthier animals and environments. A few in the Philadelphia area include the Schuylkill Center Wildlife Clinic, Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, and the Philadelphia Metro Wildlife Center. Do your research before attending any type of animal care facility to understand what exactly they do to protect, conserve, or rehabilitate wildlife– it can really save an animal’s life.
