Zoos

How does captivity affect an animal’s natural behaviors?

• Captive animals become less aggressive and more social because they are used to human presence.

• Captivity limits their movement, hunting instincts, and social interactions.

Why do elephants in zoos suffer from obesity, foot problems, and mental illness?

• In the wild, elephants walk up to 80 km per day, but in zoos, enclosures are too small, leading to health issues.

• Elephants in zoos get more exercise than in the wild because they are trained to perform and they also get fed too much.

What are some signs of stress in captive animals?

• Symptoms like pacing, swaying, self-harm

• Symptoms like more appetite, weight gain, more calmness

What is zoochosis?

• A psychological disorder caused by stress and frustration in captivity.
  A condition where animals exhibit repetitive behaviors like pacing or self-harm

• A condition where animals exhibit repetitive behaviors like pacing or self-harm

• A rare illness that affects less than 1% of zoo animals.

How do zoos claim to support conservation?

• By ensuring that all animals in captivity will eventually be released

• By breeding endangered species and reintroducing them into the wild.
  And by educating the public about wildlife and conservation issues

What are some examples of species that have been saved through zoo breeding programs?

• Arabian oryx

• Dodo bird

• Black-footed ferret

• Elephants

What are some ethical concerns about animal interactions in zoos?

• Petting and interacting wtih wild animals can cause stress and unnatural behavior
• Some zoos allow close contact with animals purely for profit rather than education

• The wild animals in zoos like the interactions and need it

What is one of the biggest criticisms of marine parks like SeaWorld?

• The artificial tanks leads to stress and collapsed fins

• Orcas in captivity live longer than in the wild.

• Marine parks sometimes separate baby orcas from their mothers, causing emotional distress

What are some benefits of having zoos?

• Zoos guarantee that all animals will be returned to the wild after they’ve bred.

• Zoos help conserve endangered species through breeding programs.

Why do some zoos struggle to reintroduce animals into the wild?

• Captive animals often lack survival skills, such as hunting and avoiding predators

• The animals' natural instincts will return immediately after being released into the wild, so they won't need any help adjusting.