Animal circuses are now illegal in England, but zoos are still legal and many (includnig one in Cumbria) has huge welfare issues. Most zoos just breed animals for entertainment (the average time spent looking at an animal by children is 20 seconds). And most bird cages are vertical (not horizontal, which is how birds fly – think of an eagle over a canyon).
Proper conservation takes place in native habitats (like the African savannah). Some UK zoos have even bred animals to ‘supply the industry’ and then had them killed (this happened when over-bred lion cubs were put to sleep at Longleat, when they were perfectly healthy).
In the wild, tigers and lions roam 18,000 times more than space they have in zoos (polar bears have one million times more space). Also read of reasons never to visit aquariums.
Zoo animals for the most part live miserable lives. They have nowhere near the amount of space need to roam nor exhibit natural behaviours, and most show ‘gone mad’ behaviour like pacing , head-bobbing and even attacking zookeepers. Some have escaped and gone on the rampage, only to be shot or caged up again.
Even reptile experts say snakes should not be living in ‘glass jewellery box’ enclosures, but more akin to grass swamps.
Support Born Free Foundation
Born Free investigates reports of zoo welfare worldwide. It began after the founders were unable to rescue a little elephant destined for a zoo, and is now run by their son Will Travers. The charity has rescued animals from appalling conditions, and says zoos never educate, as you are not viewing how animals behave in the wild.
The temperatures are also wrong (too cold for elephants in London, too hot for polar bears). Many develop medical problems and there is high infant mortality for polar bears, lameness in elephants and mental health issues for apes.
In the wild, polar bears have around 1 million times more space, and apes swing from tree to tree. 83% of the British public wish a ban on keeping large animals in zoos.
Submit reports to Born Free about animal concerns for zoos (or circuses abroad) and for animals used in the media. Take photos and videos if you can. And if abroad, contact the local police and tour operator. Also look up your local animal shelter before you travel, so you can report that too.
Support Freedom for Animals
Freedom for Animals is the other main welfare charity for captive animals, which investigates and educations (it sells nice organic cotton and beanies, to help raise funds).
You can also report a mobile zoo, be a whistleblower (anonymous) and download a free activist pack. This charity also campaigns to stop reindeer being used to ‘entertain children’ at shopping centres, as long journeys, bright lights and noise terrifies them.
Kate on Conservation writes how in the wild, elephants roam in herds within an area the size of Liverpool or Greater Manchester. But a zoo will give around a hectare (they can walk that in a minute) and also usually are in groups of three, whereas in the wild herds can be hundreds of elephants in one area.
