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Ending Remarks

I hope my posts through each subtopic have helped you to realize just how big of a deal keeping animals in captivity is. Most of the time, they face stressful (unnatural caused stress) situations that decrease their happiness. I encourage those who are reading this to be aware of what animals experience, and to think about this when visiting zoos.

#finalpost

Final Thoughts on Subtopic Four

I believe that this subtopic relates most to my claim. If animal happiness is decreased because they are in captivity, how is this ethical in the least bit? It is not. Animals should be in captivity for the purpose of repopulating.

#posttwentytwo #subtopicfour

How I Think Reintroductions Should Be Conducted

I think that animals should be slowly weened off of their normal schedules. Yes, this might cause stress, but they will learn how to fend for themselves and in the end they will be more prepared for their natural habitats.

1) Incorporate live prey so that animals have the chance to practice hunting.

2) Move around water sources so animals must search for them.

Overall, change up their routines and habitats.

#posttwentyone #subtopicfour

My Suggestions on Determining Happiness

In terms of how we deal with determining an animal’s happiness, I think that zoos really need to take into consideration all the different possibilities when it comes to making an animal happy because it is so difficult to know when an animal is happy or sad.

1) Zoo keepers should be as involved as possible in an animal’s life. It has been proven that positive interaction with humans increases well being.

2) Make sure all zoo staff are extremely well educated on what type of behavior to look out for that might point in a negative direction.

3) Allow animals to interact with each other as much as possible. Do not keep them separated from each other in any way.

#posttwenty #subtopicfour

What about reintroducing animals back into the wild? Ethics behind this...

Most people might think that reintroducing animals back into the wild after being held in captivity is perfectly fine. But unfortunately this is not always the case. If an animal is kept in a zoo and is given everything that they need, they are going to face stress when returning to the wild. They will have to learn how to really hunt and find water, as well as find shelter.

My whole blog is about keeping animals out of captivity, but there also has to be some precautions if animals return to the wild. In my next post I will give a couple of suggestions that I have about how to ethically deal with this situation.

#postnineteen #subtopicfour

How do we tell if the animals are happy?

The ethics behind this is that humans do not fully understand animals. We have a way to determine their welfare, which is behavior, but in the grand scheme of things an animal might be suffering and we might not know it. If keeping animals in captivity has the effect of decreasing their happiness, then why should they be kept in captivity at all?

#posteighteen #subtopicfour

Subtopic Four: Ethics

How ethical is it for humans to determine what constitutes how happy an animal is?

What are the ethical implications of reintroducing animals back into the wild if they have been in captivity?

#postseventeen #subtopicfour

Final Comments on Subtopic Three

Humans can have a huge impact on an animal’s life. Whether it be determining how their environments are set up, or having a relationship with them that increases their happiness. Human interaction can play such a large part in increasing animal happiness. If animals are being kept in zoos for human happiness, the least humans can do is make the best out of the animal’s situation.

#postsixteen #subtopicthree

‎"The Lion Man" - Shocking Real Story Like Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lion-Man-Shocking-Real-Story/421665511302409

Although the lions in this video are considered to be “wild,” the man has a relationship with them and it can be seen that his presence in their lives increases their happiness. I want this video to get across the point that if a zoo animal is being held in captivity for the purpose of human happiness, the least humans can do is try and better the lives of the animals by having some sort of relationship with them, and understanding them.

#postfifteen #subtopicthree

#postfourteen #subtopicthree

How can humans help animals?

1) Laule (2003) mentioned that zookeepers can do things like play, groom, or brush animals to have interactions with the animals.

2) Physically enrich animal’s lives: incorporate natural and artificial toys in habitats to stimulate development and happiness.

3) Know how to detect when an animal is “feeling down.” Preventing depression and sadness in zoo animals is one of the first steps in making sure their happiness and well being is at a good level.

#postthirteen #subtopicthree

Subtopic Three: How Humans Affect Animals in Captivity

A large aspect of animal well being has to do with humans. Humans determine factors such as when animals are fed, when they receive water, how large their enclosures are, etc. The posts on this subtopic will relate to how zoo keepers can better the lives of animals in captivity.

#posttwelve #subtopicthree

Subtopic Two: Closing Comments

The purpose of this subtopic was to compare wild animals and captive animals (zoo). Comparing their well being, happiness, and behavior, allows for humans to have the opportunity to understand how to increase happiness in zoo animals.

#posteleven #subtopictwo

An example of a decent size enclosure for orangutans - who need a lot of room to climb, run, socialize.

#postten #subtopictwo

Are wild animals happier?

Christie Wilcox, “Bambi or Bessie: Are Wild Animals Happier?”

- The most basic conditions that are thought to make an animal typically “happy” are enough food and water, comfortable conditions such as temperature, and expression of normal behavior.

- Animals in captivity are not guaranteed expression of normal behavior.

- Animals in the wild are not guaranteed “enough” food, water, comfortable conditions.

- Both groups face stress, but different kinds of stress. How are we to determine which group lives a happier life?

#postnine #subtopictwo

Giraffe Study

In a study done on zoo-housed giraffes and wild giraffes, differences in behavior were picked out through observation.

- Enclosure size: Giraffes on the reservation who had numerous acres of land to roam were said to be happier than the giraffes being held in the zoos (happiness was determined by interactions).

- A giraffe giving birth at a zoo showed signs of stress. It was kept separate from the other giraffes and paced immensely before giving birth.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ALL ZOOS BASED OFF THIS STUDY:

1) Large enclosure size that would best represent a natural habitat.

2) Allow animals to behave naturally - in the case of the giraffe, keeping her with the other giraffes.

#posteight #subtopictwo

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