Inhumane Practices In Sea World

Visiting the zoo is a fun family activity that 175 million people do each year (“Zoo Statistics”). However, the animals in the zoo are treated horribly. As a kid, visiting the zoo was one of my favorite activities. I loved watching the animals and spending time with my family, but as I grew older, my joy of the zoo diminished when I realized what was happening to the animals. The mighty tiger that was once strutting across the grass is now a dreary, unhealthy animal that walks aimlessly just to pass the time. Many animals die an unnatural death because of the treatment they receive in zoos and the lack of space reserved for them. Zoos promise to bring in animals that are either endangered or unhealthy; however, a remarkable number of animals
There have been several investigations into their inhumane practices. Tragically, Sea World is responsible for thirty-six unnatural orca deaths since 1971 (“Lives Stolen”). Some of the causes include diseases, stillbirth complications, and infections (“Lives Stolen”). None of these orcas died from old age. All these deaths occurred due to conditions of their captivity. Wild orcas have an average lifespan of thirty to fifty years, but in captivity the oldest orca was only twenty-six years old (“Lives Stolen”). These horrors only accounts for one species out of 6,126 species housed in all zoos (“Zoo Statistics”). Zoos are not only unsafe for animals, but also for humans. Over the past twenty-six years, 256 injuries have occurred from animal attacks (Romain). Of those injuries, thirty-three deaths have been reported (Romain). The injuries and deaths are of both the animal trainers and audience. Zoos practice an unmoral act to reduce attacks, they force antipsychotic medication down the throats of those animals to keep them more docile. Medication is not ethical, instead, animals should remain in their natural habitats, not pinned up in close proximity to people. Since animals are not in their natural homes, they perform unnatural habits such as self-abuse, pacing, swaying, boredom, and stress-induced behavior. Unlike in the zoo, animals out in
Some argue that zoos are fundamental to the education of their children. Additionally, some believe zoos allow children to bond with the animals. However, since animals are trapped in smaller environments, they act differently than they do in the wild. Therefore, there is no real educational value in observing these trapped animals. Animals in confinement do not hunt, play, or act as they do in their natural habitat, hence children are learning false behaviors of animals. Zoo advocates also espouse the belief that zoos are instrumental in protecting endangered species. Nevertheless, only seventeen percent of the species in zoos are endangered (“Zoo Statistics”). Many of the endangered species in zoos are stolen from the wilderness and the chances of being released back are nearly impossible because zoos need them for money (Russo). Furthermore, zoos do not release endangered animals because their ability to survive in the wild has greatly diminished as a result of time spent in captivity (Russo). The best way to preserve animals in danger of extinction is to protect them in their natural habitats, not imprison them in