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Do you think animals have better or worse lives, living in a zoo?

Assuming they're well taken care of. They can have an extended life expectancy, have no worries for food, predators or survival.

But they aren't really free, are they? I haven't been to a zoo in ages but I always used to wonder if they were happy living in captivity
BlueVeins · 22-25
I'm sure some animals do. Others, however, need lots of room to roam around, and usually aren't given that. They go crazy in there, and it's heartbreaking to watch.

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DeluxedEdition · 26-30, F
But do you think an animal has any idea of their sense of purpose or agency, and whether or not it's being fulfilled behind glass. You know, how like people stuck in their lives tend to get depressed.

I don't think animals have purposes in the same way we as humans seek self-fulfillment. Animals are instinctual. They know automatically how to be mothers and to nurse their young. Birds know to put their babies out of the nest. So I would say in their sense no their sense or purpose is not being fulfilled. Do they recognize that specific aspect? No, but they recognize they're trapped and not happy.
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@DeluxedEdition yes, I think you've said it better than I did.

About the zoo in Georgia... Maybe they ran the place really poorly? I'd just hope that place was an exception that staff in those places take care of there residents
For some species, this is the only way they will not become extinct. The zoos I hsve visited? All the animsls looked happy. They had stimulation. Well fed. In the wild, most would generally live a lot less years. They have expert medical care. They are also used in breeding programs. They have good lives.
SW-User
Worse, much worse. They should be free
Iwillwait · M
I'm torn in this issue. I'm so saddened when I see animals locked-up in cages and observatories. I feel their spirits are broken and they are "Less than." However, can gorillas, elephants be safe in the wild? Only on Preserves/Santuaries gaurded by humans.
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@Iwillwait same, I'm split on this too. Like others said, many species would have gone extinct or become endangered if it weren't for being kept in captivity.

I'd just as much hate to see them poached as I would to see their spirits broken
deadgerbil · 22-25, F
If they're well taken care of, it would be better, bc that implies all their needs are met.

It's very hard to be happy in the wild when your foot was injured in a poacher's trap or when you're being eaten alive by other animals
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@deadgerbil yeah they'd be healthier/experience less pain.

But do you think an animal has any idea of their sense of purpose or agency, and whether or not it's being fulfilled behind glass. You know, how like people stuck in their lives tend to get depressed.


I'm wondering, I don't know
DeluxedEdition · 26-30, F
I hate zoos. Animals belong in the wild. I remember once I was in south Georgia at a zoo near Albany. There was a camel in the exhibit. I remeber the camel was losing all of it's hair and it looked sick. They even told us some bs story I don't even remember what it was. I was a child and I knew better. the camel wasn't sick. That camel doesn't belong encapsulated in an exhibit in south freaking Georgia!!!

Think about it. They have no real freedom it would be like us being trapped in our rooms for the rest of our lives. It's basically a prison sentence.

The only time I feel like zoos aren't cruel are when they are trying to protect endangered species and keep the populations going.
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
if the cage/pen doors were left open at the zoo, how many of the animals inside do you think would actually stay inside?

a gilded prison is still a prison absent choice...
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout I'd rather take the right.. if I were the lion.
Iwillwait · M
Pinkstarburst · 51-55, F
I think it’s pretty safe to say that all animals in zoos today were born in captivity. For many, it’s the only way their species is still alive.
melissa001 · 51-55, F
It's the same if a human is made to live in jail (without committing a crime). You are being kept where you don't want to be.

I refuse to go to zoos anymore. Too sad 😢.
MrBrownstone · 46-50, M
We aren't free either. I would say animals have a better life,maybe not a happy one.
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@MrBrownstone in the sense I have to get up and go to work everyday just to live, I agree
Do you think animals ponder the philosophical meaning of freedom? Probably elephants do.

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caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@FrogManSometimesLooksBothWays maybe dolphins too.
@caPnAhab Definitely.
TrashCat · M
Some animals.would be extinct if but the ones in the zoos, but i find zoos troubling
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@TrashCat troubling in what way?
TrashCat · M
@caPnAhab bwig held in captivity. Especially for primates. They're in jail
They surely aren’t free. I feel bad for them because they are forced to be put in zoos and are even put on drugs.
ninalanyon · 61-69, T
It depends on the animals and on the zoo. Some are horrible places some are very good. Whipsnade is good, you can wander among the wallabys. I didn't like Chester, a lot of the animals looked to be in distinctly poor condition . Port Lympne is excellent for some animals but that can mean that you never see them because the enclosures are large with lots of cover and you can't go inside them.
Probably both but it's doubtful they are aware of that.
They have humans to stare at them. Who can beat that?
I will trade places if they want
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@PepsiColaP I would too. See how long before I regret it
DeWayfarer · 61-69, M
Dependent on the animals.

Must note, many animals can not be put back in the wild without long intensive training.

That type of training costs a lot in both money and time as well as knowledge in how to train them. Each one has to be trained differently, according to it's abilities.
It would depend upon the zoo.
A.owrson can be taken good care of in prison, but it's not a life .

Some zoos are shit .

Some zoos are amazing .

It's not just care, but also space, fun, activities and good stimulation for the animals .
SW-User
It depends on a lot of things, not all zoos are good or even great..

Living naturally in the wild can also be extremely dangerous and stressful even for wild animals
melissa001 · 51-55, F
@caPnAhab yes, but he would have made that decision for himself. We make all the decisions for animals. Just doesn't seem right to me.
melissa001 · 51-55, F
@SW-User wouldn't it be better to lock up the humans who made them nearly extinct in the first place. I doubt if the pandas give shit if they go extinct. People are the problem.
caPnAhab · 26-30, M
@melissa001 Touché. That's true
Without zoos and preserves, numerous animals would have gone extinct long ago.

 
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