BY STAFF REPORTER
Opened in 1948 the Addis Ababa Lions cage used to host lions of unique type. It was the only animal zoo in the century old metropolis where people can visit lions and other wild animals.
Ethiopia is home to a number of wild life, some of which are endemic to it. Almost all of them are found in their natural habitat or the national parks and forest reserves. Where these fascinating creatures live matter to human beings due to couple of reasons. For instance, humans need to make sure that these animals are safe from threats to their existence. Second humans also want to visit and enjoy the life of these beautiful creature of the planet.
Whether keeping these animals in a zoo is good or bad has become a point of contention. Those who argue against zoos claim that zoos, cages or sometimes parks are not naturally tailored for the comfort of these animals. The wild animals want it free, wide enough natural habitats. According to KQED, Zoos have their problems. Not all zoos are created equal. Some are clean and well-staffed, others aren’t. There are some in the richest cities in the world, and there are some in conflict zones. What this means is that not all zoos have the resources to properly care for the animals they house. And for many critics, no amount of education or research justifies keeping animals captive. That captivity can be REALLY bad for both physical AND psychological health. And while zoos have been really helpful is saving endangered animals, it doesn’t work out for certain species. For example, most large carnivores like lions and tigers that are bred in captivity die when released into the wild. It turns out that they haven’t developed the natural behaviors they need when they’re out on their own and have to fend for themselves.
But it is also important to note that Zoos may be great entertainment, but their big goal is to educate the public about wildlife and what we can do to protect them. Zoo animals are sort of like ambassadors for their counterparts in the wild. Zoos also contribute to scientific research. “Zoo” is short for zoological park, and zoology is the scientific study of animal biology and behavior. In addition, zoos work really hard to save animals that are threatened in the wild. Zoos can take at-risk animals, breed them in captivity, and then reintroduce them back into the wild.
While these being true, some also argue in favor of the zoos for both the safety of the animals as well as for the purpose of enabling humans access to visit them. According to the Guardian, If we are to save many wild species and restore and repair ecosystems we need to know about how key species live, act and react. Being able to study animals in zoos where there is less risk and less variables means real changes can be effected on wild populations with far fewer problems. Knowing say the oestreus cycle of an animal or their breeding rate helps manage wild populations. Things like capturing and moving at-risk or dangerous individuals is bolstered by knowledge in zoos about doses for anaesthetics, and experience at handling and transporting animals. This can make a real difference to conservation efforts and to reduce human-animal conflicts, and collectively provide a knowledge base for helping with the increasing threats of habitat destruction and other problems.
Zoos can help to save endangered species by keeping them in a ‘safe’ environment. Safe as in protected from poachers, predators, habitat loss and even starvation. If a zoo has a breeding programme, this is another way to protect endangered species which may have trouble finding suitable mates in the wild.
Zoos have an educational aspect. It’s easier to learn about an animal by seeing them in person. Fostering empathy… By seeing an animal up close, the public might be encouraged to be more empathetic to a species that is facing extinction in the wild. They might put 2 and 2 together and realise the orangutan they saw is in jeopardy due to the products they buy (read about Palm Oil here).
Good zoos have high standards of welfare for their animals. Visiting an accredited zoo is better than visiting one which isn’t. For example, The Association of Zoos and Aquariums ‘are leaders in the protection of threatened and endangered species.’
All in all with the ongoing global threats to the environment it’s hard for me to see zoos as anything other than being essential to the long-term survival of numerous species. Not just in terms of protecting them and breeding them for reintroduction, but to learn about them to aid those still in the wild, as well as to educate and inform the public about these animals and their world: to pique their interest so that they can assist or at least accept the need to be more environmentally conscious. Sure there is always scope for improvement, but these benefits are critical to many species and potentially at least, the world as a whole, and the animals so well kept and content, that I think there can be few serious objections to the concept of good zoos what they can do. Without them, the world would be, and would increasingly become, a much poorer place.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 25/2021