seen from Canada
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Germany
seen from Brazil
seen from United Kingdom
seen from United States
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from Malaysia
seen from Australia
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Uruguay
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Malaysia
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.
An example of a decent size enclosure for orangutans - who need a lot of room to climb, run, socialize.
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?
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.
Subtopic Two: Animals in Captivity vs. Animals in the Wild
Subtopic two posts will touch on the difference in behaviors between animals in captivity and animals in the wild. Comparing the two groups allows for observations that might in turn better animals in captivity.
