How Zoos Benefit Science

ZOOS IN THE UNITED STATES

The Benefits of Zoos in the United States

In the past, various arguments have been presented regarding zoos – some in support of and some opposing the setting up and operation of zoos. From the onset, it would be prudent to note that there is no standard definition of a zoo. However, to a large extent, zoos could be perceived as establishments that seek to house animals of different kinds for a wide range of reasons including, but not limited to, display to the public, scientific research, etc. This text explores some of the benefits of having zoos in the United States, specifically with regard to the relevance of the said establishments to the scientific community.

Discussion

For many, zoos are only beneficial to the extent that they provide members of the general public with an opportunity to view and interact with wild animals at close quarters. However, zoos are of great relevance to the scientific community. With increased human population, which is a modern-day reality, societies have come to appreciate the need and relevance of game reserves. This is more so the case given that with increased human presence, wildlife is negatively impacted. One of the reasons that has been highlighted as being responsible for the dwindling animal populations is habitat destruction (Hanski, 2011). With this in mind, the need have designated locations where wildlife is permitted to flourish has been established. However, such flourishing cannot take place in the absence of proper management of the said wildlife, i.e. in game reserve settings. This is where science comes in. Zoos make it possible for scientists to engage in scientific experimentation as well as investigation so as to come up with better ways to manage animal populations and ensure that species are better protected and natured in their natural habitats. For instance, the only way for scientists to establish certain psychological and/or anatomical peculiarities so as to be able to apply the knowledge gathered in effective wildlife management is through studying the relevant animals in captivity (Kaufman, Bashaw, and Maple, 2019).

The world of academia also benefits immensely from zoo research. This is more so the case with regard to the further development of understanding of species and bridging gaps in scientific knowledge. For instance, many researchers (as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students) actively make use of zoos as the ideal setting for their projects. In the absence of zoos that bring together a wide range of animals and species, such research would be largely impossible owing to the logistical challenges of studying the said animals in their natural wild settings. It is important to note that this kind of scientific research is instrumental in efforts to not only promote the wellbeing of animals in their natural settings, but to also avert the extinction of some species by better understanding the habitat tweaks that would best promote the wellbeing of the concerned animals (Kaufman, Bashaw, and Maple, 2019).

There would also be need to note that zoos have made it possible for scientists to actively intervene and ensure that some species are not totally wiped out. The World Wildlife Fund points out that over the last 40 years, we have lost close to 65% of the wildlife population (Hancock, 2020). It therefore follows that there is need for critical stakeholders, such as scientist, to intervene to prevent further decline – especially in as far as endangered species are concerned. Such interventions could be inclusive of zoo breeding. In the words of Caldecott (2009), zoos have made it possible for collaborations to be made “to maintain vertebrae species in viable breeding populations… can be used to restock habitat areas where those species have been lost for reasons that no longer apply” (p. 190). For instance some of the animals that have effectively been saved from extinction via intervention measures undertaken in zoo settings include, but they are not limited to, przewalski’s horse, Arabian oryx, golden lion tamarin monkey, California condor, etc. Captivity breeding initiative and strategies have been deployed as part and parcel of other measures to prevent some species from going extinct. In this case, the standard practice is to ensure that offspring is released into the wild following successful breeding efforts. Thus, for species that are on the brink of extinction, zoos come in handy in efforts to revive their populations. This is particularly important for scientists as there are no guarantees that other measures deployed to halt the extinction of some species could bear fruit. This is more so the case given that most such efforts often call for other stakeholders to be brought on board, some of whom may not be fully committed to the course.

It should however be noted that there are some who are convinced that the establishment and maintenance of zoos essentially amounts to animal abuse. Those of this persuasion are of the opinion that no setting can truly mimic the natural habitat. For this reason, zoos are largely considered an unnatural environment that traps animals and brings about undue emotional and physical strain. In some instances, the zoo conditions happen to be rather inhospitable. Thus, animals housed therein are exposed to extremely poor living conditions. There is some evidence to this claim. For instance, some mass media outlets have in the past highlighted the plight of animals in some Chinese zoos. A 2017 news feature on the South China Morning Post recounts some truly disturbing events in some Chinese zoos, including animal malnourishment (with one Tiger in this case being likened to a ‘bag of bones’), a crocodile totally divorced from an ideal environment and forced to live in a dried up pond, etc. (Zuo, 2017). According to the newspaper, despite concerns being registered over the maltreatment of animals in diverse zoo locations across the country, the relevant authorities appear reluctant to act (Zuo, 2017). It is important to note that as Caldecott (2009) points out, badly maintained zoos happen to be one of the reasons as to why some people and animal rights activists are against the establishment and maintenance of zoos. This, as the author further points out, ends up concealing or obstructing from the public view the various other benefits of zoos.

In the final analysis, it is clear from the discussion above that the relevance of zoos from the perspective of science cannot be overstated. Although some of the arguments presented in opposition to the setting up and maintenance of zoos are valid, the benefits that zoos bring forth by far outweigh the downsides. However, it would be prudent to note that there is need for measures to be put in place to ensure that zoos mimic natural settings as much as possible. This could be made possible by the adoption of various zoo environmental enrichment techniques that seek to ensure that animals are not severely limited or constrained in as far as their natural behavior is concerned. The said enrichment could, for instance, focus on the maintenance of the ideal social structure and physical environment. Further, jurisdictions could set up dedicated agencies that largely concern themselves with supervision. This way, most of the issues that have been raised in some sections of the society in relation to animal mistreatment in zoos can be effectively addressed – and thus make it possible for zoos to be used for the most beneficial purposes.