‘Captive Ambassadors’: The hidden lives of zoo animals
The book ‘Captive Ambassadors’ exposes the hidden lived realities for animals in zoos. It challenges the notion of zoo animals as “ambassadors” for their species and argues for a shift in human-animal relations that honors these animals as unique individuals with intrinsic value, transcending the confines of their captive roles. Human-animal encounters are advertised by zoos as educational opportunities; however, they rarely lead to meaningful action to better the welfare of animal individuals. The few animals who are individualized (mainly charismatic mammals) have biographies fabricated to present captive animals as willing conservation ambassadors and saviors of their species. Meanwhile, the true biography of an animal individual may involve abduction from his or her wild habitat, separation from family, a complete disruption of cultural learning, the stress of confinement, traumatic transfers from one facility to another
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY: There is increasing concern among zoo administrators, researchers, and non-researchers alike that the psychological and physical states of many, if not most, zoo animals need to be greatly improved by instituting major reforms in how the zoos operate, how their resident animals are treated, and how they can become more resident-friendly.
Concerns center on a number of issues, including moving animals around from zoo to zoo as breeding machines with little concern for their well-being, “trapping” animals such as gentoo penguins in tiny cages without sunshine or fresh air, and killing healthy animals (who aren’t euthanized, which is mercy killing, but rather “zoothanized”) because there isn’t enough room for them or because they can’t contribute to a zoo’s breeding program.
These are among the reasons why I was deeply interested in Eve D’Vincent’s new book ‘Captive Ambassadors: The Hidden Lives of Zoo Animals’. In this deeply researched work, she challenges the notion of zoo animals as “ambassadors” for their species and argues for a shift in human-animal relations that honors these animals as unique individuals with intrinsic value, transcending the confines of their captive roles…
Marc Bekoff (MB): Why did you write Captive Ambassadors?
Eve D’Vincent (ED): Captive Ambassadors was written to expose the hidden lived realities for animals in zoos. The few animals who are individualized (mainly charismatic mammals) have biographies fabricated to present captive animals as willing conservation ambassadors and saviors of their species, regardless of the suffering inherent to this designation. This book was written with the intention of drawing attention to the experiences of animal ambassadors and the efficacy of such programs, while providing a critique of the efficacy of zoos in their ability to educate the public about animals…
MB: Who do you hope to reach?
ED: My hope is to reach anyone with ethical curiosity willing to consider what makes life meaningful for other animal species, and specifically those confined to zoos. Despite animals in zoos having their most basic needs met (regular feedings and medical care), it is essential to understand that this is not enough. Are prisoners completely content? Imagine the inadequacies for other species whose psycho-socio-cultural needs are poorly understood…
MB: What are some of the topics you consider, and what are some of your major messages?
ED: I consider how animals in zoos are individualized in order to serve various purposes, such as the designation of animal ambassadors, those involved in breeding programs, and animals labeled “surplus” to the needs of the zoo. Such designations have significant and life-altering consequences for the animals themselves. Sadly, concerns over animal welfare are often minimized and dismissed in service to sacrificial logic and anthropocentric utility. Human-animal encounters, for instance, are advertised by zoos as educational opportunities; however, they rarely lead to meaningful action to better the welfare of animal individuals or the conservation of a species.
The cost to the animal is also tremendous, as many are forced into performative roles disguised as enrichment, in which normative behavior is distorted through an anthropomorphic lens. Think of elephants painting pictures for paying audience members, seals made to “kiss” patrons, and cetaceans beaching themselves on platforms to be rewarded with food.
The takeaway from these paid encounters is that animals are spectacles, entertainers, and willing participants in their own forced captivity. Meanwhile, the true biography of an animal individual may involve abduction from his or her wild habitat, separation from family, a complete disruption of cultural learning, the stress of confinement, traumatic transfers from one facility to another for forced participation in breeding programs, and the deprivation of social and emotional needs unique to both the individual and species. Ultimately, this book challenges the dominant discourses that attempt to legitimize the activities in modern zoos, given the prioritization of commercial interests at the expense of animal lives. MARC BEKOFF
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