Growing up I went to zoos, multiple times. Even in my later teenage years I went because there is no denying how astonishing it is to see such large creatures upfront and center. The truth of the matter is, these animals should not be in North America or anywhere outside of their natural habitat. Lions, Elephants, Tigers, Monkeys, and Giraffes to name a few are transported across the world in airplane cargo then into cramped cars and trailers after recently being kidnapped from their family and natural surroundings. All of this is done for the sake of human entertainment which is turned into profit for zoo and circus owners across the world. The profit that comes from these zoos are at the expense of the animals who suffer for decades in captivity asking to perform embarrassing confusing tricks under the threat of physical punishment from the workers. A lion is meant to hunt, run and rule is kingdom, not be forced to live inside a cage in isolation.These are wild dangerous animals, they are not actors or spectacles to cheer on.
Recently in Mexico, a prohibition has been placed on the captivity of animals used for zoos and circuses. The law states that animals should grow and live in their natural surroundings and aims to avoid animal cruelty in zoos and circuses (http://goo.gl/9FfD99). This movement was partly influenced by the Instagram account: Black Jaguar-White Tiger. The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation is an animal sanctuary in Mexico that saves wild animals, mainly big cats from captivity or harsh conditions. With 1.3 million followers, the widespread awareness of the account has assisted in donations and signed petitions that has forced the Mexican government to place this ban on zoos and circuses.
There was a time when going to the zoo used to be a fun date afternoon for me and my girlfriend, but for the reasons mentioned above, I have chosen to abandon these animal prisons. I refuse to give my hard earned money to owners who continue to exploit and abuse these beautiful animals and I hope you don’t either.
References
http://www.peta.org/issues/animals-in-entertainment/
http://www.captiveanimals.org/news/2010/03/10-facts-about-zoos
http://www.voanews.com/content/wanted-homes-wild-animals-banned-mexicos-circuses/2682623.html
WHY ANIMAL RIGHTS? 