Wild Animals Zoo: Who Says Zoos are Fun to Visit?

It is widely believed that zoos protect wild animals from cruelty and are a good place to visit because it is where endangered species are also conserved. However, the reality is far different. Over 10,000 zoos have been established worldwide. Out of this, less than 500 zoos register their animals on an international species database.

Wild Animals Zoo: What We Didn’t Realize About Zoos Before

Often zoo officials give priority to making profits rather than watch out for the welfare of the wild animals. The main problem with zoos is that wild animals are kept in captivity away from their natural habitats. The physical and mental frustration of such forced enclosure leads to self destructive behavior in animals, such as self mutilation, head-bobbing and extreme agitation. The habitat provided in zoos to the wild animals prevents them from their natural activities like flying, swimming, climbing, and other activities.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) investigators visited many zoos in India and observed that:

• Animals were deprived of even basic facilities like food and water.
• No proper medical care, safety from extreme weather and security were provided to them.
• Most wild animals were kept in rusted iron cages with no greenery near them
• Most of them were ill and frail.
• Many of the visitors were found throwing rotten food, debris, stones to wild animals and teasing them in absence of adequate staff members.

A lawsuit was filed against the Mumbai zoo by PETA. This paved the way for many initiatives being carried out to conserve and improve the living conditions of many wild animals. Prevention of cruelty against animals in India is governed by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.