If you can see animals involved in activities they wouldn't normally do in the wild, then it shouldn't be shown in a zoo. It's not natural, it's not educational, it's cruel.
PRNEWSWIRE: ‘Animals doing flips in the water, painting pictures with their trunks and giving rides, this may be entertaining for humans, but it is no life for animals. New research from the global charity World Animal Protection and the Change for Animals Foundation shows that wild animals are abused and forced to do unnatural activities at what are supposed to be some of the world’s ‘top’ zoos, including in Canada…
Of the 1,200 zoos surveyed, 75% of them offer at least one activity where visitors can have direct contact with live, captive wild animals… The research included field visits to a dozen zoos that showcase animals being cruelly used in demeaning experiences, focusing on big cats, dolphins, elephants and primates. Cruel training techniques would be required on these animals in order for them to perform for humans.
Among the twelve zoos highlighted were African Lion Safari (ALS) and Jungle Cat World in Ontario. At ALS elephants were forced to do various tricks such as bowing, painting and lifting up a trainer. People could also touch elephants and ride them on a circular track… Melissa Matlow, Campaign Director at World Animal Protection says “If you can see animals involved in activities they wouldn’t normally do in the wild, then it shouldn’t be shown in a zoo. It’s not natural, it’s not educational, it’s cruel,” says Matlow.
And while people still visit zoos, Canadian opinion on the use of wild animals for entertainment is changing. Sixty one percent of Canadians find elephant riding unacceptable and 89% believe wild animals belong in the wild. Tourism companies are responding by removing elephant rides from their offerings and Instagram now discourages wildlife selfies. The best place to see wild animals, is in their natural habitat’. SOURCE…
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