Do you think there is any defense to be made for zoos and keeping animals in cages?
The only defense I would consider would be similar to Jane Goodall’s stance on zoos.
She says:
“When compared with the life of chimpanzees living in danger zones in Africa, it sometimes seems to me that those in the really good zoos-those in which there are large enclosures, rich social groups, and an enriched environment-may in fact be better off. On the other hand, there are still many zoos that should be closed-zoos where chimpanzees are forced to live alone or in pairs in tiny cement-floored, iron-barred, old fashioned cages. There they suffer terribly from boredom.”
I am not an advocate of zoos, but I am an advocate of sanctuaries, where the rescued animals have an environment that is comfortable and fits their needs. Jane talks about an ape named Gregoire (page 179). This ape lived in horrid conditions for 40 years before he was rescued. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around the fact that people can bring themselves to treat animals in such ways, but they do it. I don’t think a zoo should be allowed to operate until it has been cleared by numerous animal specialists who can determine if every species of animal in the zoo has an appropriate space to live in according to the animal’s particular needs and wants.
Question: Some people keep their animals in cages at night or sometimes during the day while they work to keep their pets from destroying the house or peeing on the floors. How do you feel about keeping animals in cages for those reasons?
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