should animals be used for entertainment argumentative essay

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Zoos, Circuses & Theme Parks: Should We Cage Animals for Our Entertainment?

Is it ethical to keep wild animals in captivity?  Animal rights advocates have convinced many people to reconsider their attitudes. Students explore the issue through two readings and discussion questions.   

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• Environment

Should Animals Be Entertainers?

Is it ethical to keep in captivity animals that are normally found in the wild? In recent years, the debate around this question has been heating up, with animal rights advocates convincing an increasing percentage of the public to reconsider its attitudes about zoos, circuses, and theme parks featuring water animals. In the summer of 2016, after a long campaign by animal rights groups, Barnum and Bailey's announced that it would be retiring its elephant performers. Similarly, the marine mammal park SeaWorld announced that it would be phasing out the use of orcas (or killer whales) as performing animals.

In 2013, SeaWorld came under fire for its killer whale program after the release of the documentary Blackfish . The film raised questions about the ethics and safety of holding captive orcas for entertainment. Orcas, which are considered to be among the most intelligent species on Earth and are believed to be capable of complex emotions, are prone to extreme psychological stress as a result of life in captivity and the rigorous training required to perform for audiences. In a January 25, 2013, article for the Los Angeles Times , reporter Amy Kaufman discussed the documentary's argument:  

[Samantha] Berg, now 44, is one of eight former park employees who appear in "Blackfish," a documentary that received a strong reception when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month and was quickly acquired by Magnolia Pictures and CNN Films. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, the movie examines whales in captivity and one in particular, Tilikum — an orca that has killed three people, including veteran SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.

The film...explores the psychology of Tilikum, who was born in the wild near Iceland in 1983, captured and sent to a marine park near Vancouver before coming to SeaWorld in Orlando. Separated from his family, he was bullied by other whales as a calf in captivity. Older female whales raked his skin constantly, and Tilikum ("friend" in Chinook) was kept in a small, dark tank for more than 14 hours at a time — factors the movie suggests may have contributed to his aggression later....

Berg said she came to realize she told numerous things to park-goers that were not true — including that whales live longer in captivity than in the wild. (Orcas can live as long as 80 years in the wild, according to the Vancouver Aquarium.) When she was hired, she was also unaware of Tilikum's dangerous history or that orcas had injured dozens of trainers over the years.  

In response to Blackfish, SeaWorld launched a multi-million dollar public relations campaign to address claims made by the documentary. SeaWorld claimed that its animals were "healthy and passionately cared for" and that seeing them perform left visitors "inspired and enriched by their experience with killer whales" and "more aware of the need to preserve the world around [these animals]." Nevertheless, the impact of the film on SeaWorld's bottom line was significant, as the parks reported reduced attendance and lost revenue. Ultimately, in 2016, SeaWorld announced that it would stop using orcas at all of its locations by 2019.

In a similar move, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus announced in January 2016 that it would end its use of elephants as performers. Animal rights activists had long argued that keeping elephants in captivity was cruel, since in the wild, the species forms strong familial bonds that are broken in captivity. Further, elephants are accustomed to having vast open spaces in which to roam. While Barnum & Bailey contested the claims of critics, arguing that it treated its elephants humanely, it ultimately bowed to changing public attitudes about seeing animals used for entertainment. As Sandra Pedicini wrote in a March 5, 2015 article, for the Orlando Sentinel , the actions of both SeaWorld and Barnum & Bailey reflect a change in attitude:

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus announcement Thursday that it will retire its performing elephants is part of a trend of entertainment companies rethinking their use of animals.

Though they still draw crowds, animals can be a liability. They bring unpredictability and, increasingly, controversy.

"Everybody who deals with animals is very concerned about the precedent that's being set with SeaWorld and killer whales," said Jim Hill, an industry blogger and editor of JimHillMedia.com. "Everyone's quietly sitting back hoping ... 'they [animal-welfare activists] won't come after us.'"...

Americans' attitudes toward animals have changed through the years, theme-park industry experts said. People view them more as companions and pay more attention to their treatment in circuses, zoos and theme parks. Thanks to cable stations such as Animal Planet and Discovery Channel, seeing wild animals in person isn't as exciting now, said Scott Smith, assistant hospitality professor at the University of South Carolina....

Disney's Animal Kingdom, the only Central Florida zoological facility that still keeps elephants, would not comment on Ringling's announcement but said it has not made any changes to its animal exhibits.  

Although seeing large animals perform for human entertainment was long considered a thrilling spectacle, it is a practice that is increasingly regarded as inhumane.  

For Discussion  

• How much of the material in this reading was new to you, and how much was already familiar? Do you have any questions about what you read?
• According to the reading, how are public attitudes about animal performers such as orca whales and elephants changing?
• In response to critics, SeaWorld argued that seeing shows with whales as performers inspired audiences to contribute to conservation efforts that benefit wildlife. Do you think that this argument justifies using captive animals as performers?
• What do you think? Should animals normally found in the wild be used for circuses and marine theme parks? Explain your position.

Reading 2: Is it Time to Rethink Zoos?  

In May 2016, a young boy at the Cincinnati Zoo climbed into the enclosure that was home to the Western lowland gorilla, Harambe. Zoo workers were compelled to shoot and kill the gorilla in order to save the boy. While killing Harambe was widely seen as justified, his death has ignited a debate about the place of zoos in our society.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), a well-known animal rights organization, staunchly opposes zoos. PETA argues that zoos contribute to unhealthy attitudes toward animal life, and that enclosures for captive animals restrict their instinctive, natural behavior. The organization's public statement on zoos reads:  

PETA opposes zoos because cages and cramped enclosures at zoos deprive animals of the opportunity to satisfy their most basic needs. The zoo community regards the animals it keeps as commodities, and animals are regularly bought, sold, borrowed, and traded without any regard for established relationships. Zoos breed animals because the presence of babies draws zoo visitors and boosts revenue. But the animals’ fate is often bleak once they outgrow their "cuteness." And some zoos still import animals from the wild.

In general, zoos and wildlife parks preclude or severely restrict natural behavior, such as flying, swimming, running, hunting, climbing, scavenging, foraging, digging, exploring, and selecting a partner. The physical and mental frustrations of captivity often lead to abnormal, neurotic, and even self-destructive behavior, such as incessant pacing, swaying, head-bobbing, bar-biting, and self-mutilation....

Proponents of zoos like to claim that zoos protect species from extinction—seemingly a noble goal. However, wild-animal parks and zoos almost always favor large and charismatic animals who draw large crowds of visitors, but they neglect less popular species that also need to be protected. Most animals in zoos are not endangered, and while confining animals to zoos keeps them alive, it does nothing to protect wild populations and their habitats.

Returning captive-bred animals to the wild is, in most cases, impossible because animals who are reared in zoos are denied the opportunity to learn survival skills, can transmit diseases to their wild counterparts, and often have no natural habitat left to return to because of human encroachment. Breeding programs simply produce cute baby animals to attract zoo patrons and generate revenue, creating a surplus of unwanted adult animals. As a result, zoos often become extremely crowded, and older animals may be "warehoused" behind the scenes or shuffled off to shabby roadside zoos, animal dealers, or auctions.  

Defenders of zoos argue that these institutions are critical to the protection of endangered species, allowing millions of people to see animals up close and to develop an appreciation for the importance of protecting them. As zookeeper and frequent TV guest Jack Hanna argued in a May 15, 2015, article for TIME , opponents of zoos can underestimate the challenges to animals living in the "wild." Hanna wrote:  

More than 175 million people visit zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) each year. Zoos and aquariums play a critical role in the survival of endangered species and allow people from all walks of life to experience and learn about the animal world. Animals in zoos are ambassadors to their cousins in the wild—they educate people about the importance of wildlife. After a visit to the zoo—listening, seeing, smelling— people often leave with a newfound understanding and compassion for wildlife.

AZA accreditation requires excellence in animal care and welfare, conservation, education and scientific studies. There are more than 200 accredited institutions, and in 2013, they donated nearly $160 million to support about 2,450 conservation projects in more than 120 countries. Species such as the black-footed ferret, California condor, Mexican wolf, scimitar-horned oryx, and Przewalski’s horses have overcome near-extinction in part because of zoos’ commitment to conservation.

Critics say the only place animals belong is in the wild, but those boundaries are shrinking each day. Having traveled the world, the only places I consider truly "wild" are Antarctica, parts of the Amazon and some places in Africa. Even in Africa, the "wild" places tend to be national parks with guarded boundaries. Animals face many challenges, including habitat loss, poaching, severe weather, and war. The "wild" is not necessarily the idyllic place people imagine. Poaching has decimated the northern white rhino population—the last known male has his own personal 24-hour security to ensure he isn’t poached for his horn....

Every aquarium and zoo I work with believes its mission includes raising awareness about the challenges faced by animals around the world. We know animals have the power to touch our hearts, and when this happens, it opens the door to education that can inspire people to participate in protecting animals and conserving their environments.  

For people on both sides of the debate about zoos, the tragedy in Ohio raised difficult questions. The death of Harambe led New York Times science and environmental writer Andrew C. Revkin to wonder in a June 2, 2016, article about the moral costs of keeping in captivity animals capable of complex thought and emotions, like gorillas. Revkin wrote:  

There are plenty of arguments in favor of [gorilla] exhibits, which engage urban audiences with an extraordinary species and educate people about the threats gorillas face from deforestation, disease and poaching. They also sustain a pool of genetic diversity for a species that is considered critically endangered and at risk of extinction in the wild.

But I’ve also come to see substantial merit in the emerging concept of nonhuman personhood....

As a result, I’ve become convinced that it’s time for a fresh look at zoos....

Captive apes don’t all die from a gunshot; but almost all die having never really experienced what it is to be a gorilla. Harambe was born in a zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

This issue was compellingly explored in Scientific American  this week by Marc Bekoff, who studies animals’ behavior and awareness and is a proponent of what he calls "compassionate conservation":

"While some might say Harambe had a ‘good life’ in the zoo, it doesn’t come close to the life he would have had as a wild gorilla, with all its attendant risks. Indeed, one might argue that the animal people were seeing was not really a true western lowland  gorilla, surely not an ambassador for his species."

[Bekoff] calls for an end to captive breeding of gorillas and an eventual shift from zoos to sanctuaries, with money saved going to conservation of species in the wild.  

• According to the reading, what are some of PETA's arguments for opposing zoos?
• How do zoo defenders like Jack Hanna respond?
• Zoo defenders contend that their institutions raise millions of dollars for conservation and habitat protection for wild animals. What do you think of this argument?
• How do you think that seeing animals in captivity affects our perceptions about animal life? Do you think that these encounters are positive or do they distort our understanding of how animals naturally live and behave? Explain your position.

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Animals Used for Entertainment

Animals aren’t actors , spectacles to imprison and gawk at, or circus clowns. Yet thousands of elephants, bears, apes, and others are forced to perform silly, difficult tricks under the threat of physical punishment; carted across the country in cramped, stuffy semi-truck trailers; kept chained or caged in barren, filthy enclosures; and regularly separated from their families and friends—all for the sake of entertainment. Many of them are even forced to perform until the day they die.

PETA is determined to get animals out of the entertainment business. Our dedicated staff members work full time exposing and ending animal abuse in the entertainment industry, and their work is paying off: Consider the demise of Ringling Bros. circus , for example. In addition to ending circus cruelty , these staff members work with officials to overhaul horseracing rules nationwide, spearhead hard-hitting undercover investigations and public campaigns that are crucial in turning public opinion against animal-exploiting attractions, persuade travel companies to stop selling tickets to SeaWorld and other cruel operations, persuade companies like Coca-Cola to stop sponsoring abusive forms of entertainment such as the deadly Iditarod, persuade entertainment executives not to use animals in movies or TV and to use motion-capture technology instead, chip away at abusive animal exhibitors like the Mobile Zoo , and facilitate the transfer of neglected animals from roadside zoos, traveling menageries, and other seedy facilities to reputable sanctuaries.

Circus acts featuring only willing human performers , TV shows and films using CGI animals, and interactive, virtual reality aquariums are captivating audiences. Meanwhile, archaic, cruel animal acts are on the decline. Thanks in part to PETA’s work, public opposition to horseracing cruelty , marine parks , dog sledding , elephant rides , cockfighting , petting zoos , horse-drawn carriage rides , bullfighting , sport fishing , trophy hunting , rodeos , traveling animal acts , roadside zoos, and safari parks has never been stronger. Animal-free forms of entertainment teach audience members about conservation—something places that imprison and enslave animals, such as SeaWorld , only pretend to do.

What’s Wrong With Circuses? And Is SeaWorld Really That Bad?

Animals don’t like to put on shows—they’re used and abused for the sake of human entertainment. To force bears , elephants , tigers, and others in circuses to perform confusing and physically demanding tricks, trainers use bullhooks , whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods , and other painful tools of the trade. Frustrated by years of beatings and confinement, many of them snap —countless animals , trainers , and members of the public have been injured and even killed.

Animals held captive at marine parks or in aquariums don’t fare much better. In captivity, orcas and other dolphins swim in endless circles in tanks that, to them, are the equivalent of bathtubs, and they’re denied the opportunity to engage in almost any natural behavior. Instead, some are forced to perform meaningless tricks. Most die far short of their natural life expectancy.

The dead bodies of tigers at pseudo-sanctuaries , bears confined to cages and pits , and bulls forced to buck and fight are stacking up, too.

There’s only one acceptable thing to do with animals exploited for entertainment: Retire them to reputable sanctuaries or loving homes.

PETA has helped facilitate such transfers, as in the case of Nosey the elephant —we campaigned for her freedom from the circus for years, and now she’s loving her sanctuary home in Tennessee. Charlie, a Thoroughbred horse on the brink of a fatal breakdown, was also rescued by PETA —he now spends his days grazing on grass in a large pasture with his guardian, a longtime PETA supporter and friend. And then there was Tregembo Animal Park in North Carolina, which two local animal advocates represented by PETA’s lawyers successfully sued, allowing us to transfer bears Ben and Bogey to a sprawling Colorado sanctuary. Between 2013 and 2018, PETA saved more than 70 bears from cramped pens and concrete hells, helping to transfer them to true sanctuaries where they can finally play, climb, have friends, and raise their families. Some of our rescues have even helped shut down roadside zoos .

How You Can Help Animals Forced to Perform or Fight

These life-changing victories wouldn’t be possible without the help of our members and supporters. Each of us can help prevent suffering and deaths by refusing to buy a ticket to watch broken animals languish in captivity or perform stupid tricks, demanding that government agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture do their jobs, and urging companies not to do business with animal-exploiting operations.

With the  help  of our members and supporters, PETA works globally to expose and end the use of animals in entertainment. Some of our efforts include the following:

• Conducting groundbreaking  undercover investigations and colorful advocacy campaigns to inform the public
• Persuading government agencies to hold circuses, roadside zoos , marine parks, and other operations accountable when they apparently violate the law
• Encouraging companies to refuse to promote or sponsor elephant rides , tiger encounters , “ swim with dolphins ” excursions, the Iditarod , or other animal attractions
• Advocating for pro-animal legislation
• Organizing spirited protests outside businesses and company headquarters to help prevent new animal-exploiting attractions from opening
• Calling on roadside zoos and traveling menageries to do the right thing by retiring animals to reputable sanctuaries
• Persuading county and state fairs to exclude wild animals from their attractions

This multifaceted approach yields scores of  victories  for animals imprisoned and used by the entertainment industry around the world.

Popular Resources

We’ve seen it at circuses and marine parks, at roadside zoos and racetracks: When animals are used for entertainment, they suffer—and the film and TV industries are no exception. Often torn away from their mothers as infants and subjected to lives of punishment and deprivation, animals used in movie and television productions have no control … Read more »

Which roadside zoos are the latest highway hellholes to avoid? PETA’s dishing the dirt and urging you to help end animals’ suffering.

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One page—multiple opportunities to help. Let’s end the exploitation of animals used in circus acts. Click now to start taking action!

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“Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? ”

— Ingrid E. Newkirk, PETA President and co-author of Animalkind

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Animal rights - Using Animals for Entertainment

Circuses, in one form or another, have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years. They have been steadily declining in numbers and popularity since the beginning of World War II, although there are still a number of small circuses to be found in Britain.

Nowadays, manycircuses do not feature animals in their performances but it used to be very common.  Elephants, lions, zebras and camels would move all around the country in small cages transported on the back of trucks, perform for the crowds and then move on again.  Animal rights campaigners have been protesting about this practice for decades and, in May 2019, the government introduced The Wild Animals in Circuses Bill to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses in the UK.

Animals in the circus are made to perform unnatural tricks for entertainment and are kept in conditions very different to their natural habitats.  It can be said that many circus owners and workers care for and love their animals very much, but the question still remains if it is 'right' to use and keep animals in this way for human entertainment. 

A very interesting case came up in 2014 about Sandra, an orangutan who had been kept in a zoo in Argentina for 20 years.  Sandra was shy and often hid from the public.  A landmark case was settled in a Buenos Aires court granting her some of the legal rights that we have as humans. The singular case hung on whether the animal was a "thing" or a "person". Here is an excerpt from a BBC article;

Lawyers for Argentina's Association of Professional Lawyers for Animal Rights (Afada) said Sandra was "a person" in the philosophical, not biological, sense.

She was, they argued, in a situation of illegal deprivation of freedom as a "non-human person.”

Another issue for animal rights campaigners is whether animals such as dogs and horses should be raced for human entertainment. People enjoy watching and gambling on races between animals. Horse racing with jumps is especially contentious as many horses die or break their legs during such races each year. It is very difficult to fix the leg of a racing horse, especially in a way that will allow it to be useful in racing any more, so horses which do break their legs are often shot.  Arguments have also been made against the use of whips and other devices for forcing horses to speed up during races. Some people argue that with certain changes, animal racing could be made more humane, others argue that humans have no right to use animals for their own entertainment at all.

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14 Biggest Pros and Cons of Animals in Circuses

The history of the modern circus starts with a man named Philip Astley. He became a cavalry officer who created a modern amphitheater to show off horse riding tricks in Lambeth, London in April 1768. He would be the first to create a space where all acts, including clowns, could be brought together to perform a show. He used a 42-foot diameter ring for his tricks, and that has been the standard size used by the circus ever since.

Circuses are much older than that, with the Circus Maximum a critical staple of Rome during the Roman Empire. The final version of it could seat over 250,000 people. After the fall of Rome, large centers for mass entertainment fell out of favor. The industry relied on animal trainers, showmen, and itinerant performers who would perform at local fairs.

It was the American format that brought exotic animals into the circus industry. By the late 19th century, lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, and other animals from overseas would travel the United States, performing shows on a large scale with zoological exhibits as a marketing point. When animal activists began protesting this form of entertainment in the 1960s, many circuses would go out of business or merge with other companies.

List of the Pros of Having Animals in Circuses

1. It offers another avenue to consider for breeding programs. Many of the circus animals that traditionally tour with the show are on the endangered species list. Since they are bred in captivity, the actions will increase the odds of survival for the overall species. Banning them from performing would decrease the number that are under our protection, which could increase the chance for extinction. That’s why many owners are encouraged to stop taking animals from the wild for their shows and to work with others to improve populations.

2. There are specific guidelines and regulations that must be followed. It is illegal to euthanize an animal on the endangered species list unless there is a specific reason for taking that action. Circuses that operate in the United States must also report deaths to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Department of Agriculture will routinely inspect programs to ensure compliance with the current regulations as well. Although some companies do not offer reasonable care to the animals in their circus, there are organizations like the Carson and Barnes Circus that support their own herd of retired elephants on land in Oklahoma.

Managing exotic animals is tricky. Even the companies with sterling reputations can struggle to manage them when they decide it is time to be free of their confines.

3. There can be educational opportunities with a well-run circus. The problem with many animal-based circuses is that they run on tight budgets and take shortcuts on the care they must provide. Only 4% of them get to live a life outside of cages and chains when living in this situation. Some of them travel for 11 months of the year in trailers or railroad cars with no climate control. Most itinerary stops are not inspected even though there are USDA minimum standards of care in the United States.

When the circus is run ethically and animals can interact in positive ways with humans, then there is an educational benefit to consider. Profit cannot be the primary consideration for this advantage to become available. That’s why it is so rare to see this opportunity – but it does exist if you’re willing to look for a circus that behaves appropriately.

4. Circuses are just as capable as zoos for caring for animals. The Radford Report in the UK found in 2006 after a six-month study of circuses, with the full participation of proponents and critics of this debate, that they were just as capable as any other captive environment to meet the welfare needs of animals in their care. This conclusion brought the organizations closer to that of zoos from a legal perspective, especially when an 18-month study sponsored by the RSPCA found that animals don’t suffer stress during healthy training, performance, or transportation.

5. Most circus trainers act ethically and responsibly with their animals. There are plenty of horror stories about the abuse of circus animals if you go looking for them. Numerous countries have based welfare acts that cover the treatment of animals, making their abuse a punishable crime that can lead to jail time. Only a small fraction of the people who care for these animals use abusive practices. Most of them are highly educated people who are specifically trained to provide the best care possible. It is a much different tale when you look at Indian organizations that provide elephant shows to tourists.

List of the Cons of Having Animals in Circuses

1. Creating jobs for humans has moral implications when it is at the expense of animals. There are economic benefits to consider when animals perform at the circus. Their efforts create jobs for trainers, handlers, dancers, entertainers, and many others who might not be able to use their creative efforts in other ways. The animals would often be overworked, beaten until they were willing to submit, and forced to live in confined conditions while trying to balance below average food supplies and irregular feeding schedules. This disadvantage is one of the primary reasons why the largest circus companies stopped using elephants and other animals in their shows – ultimately forcing some of them to go out of business.

2. Many of the animals used in circuses are bred in captivity. The animals that you see performing in the circus were usually bred in captivity after the initial captures took place. That means they spend most of their lives in close contact with humans. It is a lifestyle that is far from what their natural environment would be, creating untold stresses on the animals that only increase because they’re kept in rigorous confinement. Tigers, camels, lions, and other animals must endure the issues of training, transportation, and performances on a regular basis while being fearful of the natural instincts that drive them.

3. Animals learn how to do tricks through fear instead of encouragement. Trainers at the circus often use whips, bullhooks, and other objects that inflict pain as the primary way to train animals to do tricks. Big cats do what they’re told to avoid pain. Elephants in this situation would sometimes be hit with batons with a sharp metal hook until they bleed to force them to do dangerous stunts for their body size, like standing on their heads or perching on small pedestals. Then they go back into a cage that has barely enough space for them to take a step in any direction. Is it any wonder why some of them eventually lash out at people?

4. Constant travel exposes the animals to heat exhaustion. During the summer of 1997, an elephant named Heather died of heat exhaustion while traveling through New Mexico. Police officers found the animal in a trailer in a hotel parking lot. There were 10 additional animals removed from that container, which was noted as being “poorly vented,” and turned over to the custody of the local zoo. When officials found Heather, they estimated her weight to be 2,400 pounds. She was six years old, so she was almost 1,600 pounds off of her ideal weight.

The company responsible for Heather also got in trouble when workers beat a baby elephant named Mickey in front of a live audience. He simply refused to do a trick and wanted to leave the arena. Unless government officials follow up inspections, nothing gets done to protect the animals from abusive situations.

5. Animals in circuses develop abnormal behaviors. Because animals must become broken before they can perform tricks or stunts for entertainment, the combination of uncomfortable positions, potential abuse, and small cages or enclosures can lead to abnormal behavior patterns. It is not unusual for them to become depressed and despondent in a slow, downward spiral that can eventually lead to self-harm behaviors or attacks against humans. If you see animals who start swaying as they stand, bob their heads frequently, or have incessant pacing, then that is an individual who requires an immediate professional intervention to improve their health.

Why do circus animals become despondent under these circumstances? It is because they are usually denied access to everything that will give their life some meaning. There are very few chances for them to run around, play, or socialize with others of their species.

6. When confined animals finally snap, they can cause significant harm. During an August 1994 performance at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Kaka’ako, HI, Tyke the elephant had finally had enough. She was an African bush elephant from Mozambique who performed with Circus International out of Honolulu. She would kill her trainer, seriously injure her groomer, and then bolt from the arena to run through the streets of the city. She was on the loose for over 30 minutes while officials tried to calm her down.

There were two other incidents that involved an elephant named Tyke that were attributed to her in 1993 as well. According to law enforcement documents from Canadian and American officials, a single tusk African elephant, also of the same name, was beaten in public to the point where she was screaming and bending down on three legs to avoid being hit. Even when the handler walked by her after the incident, she would scream and veer away.

7. Companies get to continue operating despite frequent violations. Proponents might point to the Carson and Barnes retirement farm in Oklahoma as a way to be responsible with animal management, but the company does have more than 100 documented violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. That means inspectors have found that they are failing to provide basic necessities to the animals, such as shelter from the elements, clean water, a minimum amount of space, and veterinary care. Animal-free circuses are thriving, so consider going to one of them for entertainment value instead of watching animals perform useless tricks.

8. There are health risks to consider with some circus animals. Circus elephants are known to carry tuberculous, which is highly contagious for humans as a bacterial disease. A review of public records shows that most circuses have a history of using animals that tested positive for TB in their performances, which means there has been a persistent threat to public health. A circus is not required to carry emergency euthanasia equipment either, which means it is up to law enforcement to deal with a loose animal instead of the caretakers. This disadvantage is one of the primary reasons why circuses around the world have been responsible for over 100 injuries and several fatalities.

9. Times have changed. There was a time, even not that long ago, when a circus may have represented the only time a child received exposure to wild animals. Kids can now learn about them in early school programs, watch documentaries about them on Animal Planet, and interact with learning lessons online that make the experiences feel real. Seeing how animals are treated in the circus today, even if it is only as part of a zoological display, works to counteract that message. When would someone ever see a bear wearing a costume while spinning balls with its hind feet? Or watch an elephant balance on a ball as it leads its pace to a water source in the savannah?

Animal-based circuses portray an inaccurate image of animals live and act. This unrealistic context creates a disconnect between nature and humanity, perpetuating the notion that it is acceptable and enjoyable to exploit animals for our own entertainment.

There are plenty of circuses that can provide people with entertainment while providing the animals in their care a safe and healthy life. When there are regimented food and medication schedules that get followed to the letter, then their health can be supported in ways that may not be possible in the wild. The key to a successful experience is to provide the animals with enough space to live comfortably while traveling, and then providing an enclosure that simulates their natural habitat with as much space as possible.

Even then, any animal that is forced to do tricks as a way to generate applause is one that is being potentially abused for the sake of human income. Some of them are taken away from their families and everything they know, even if they’re born in captivity.

It is time to rethink the idea of having any animals in a circus. These events may have been educational and exotic in the past, but it is also a challenge to escape the possibilities of cruelty in this atmosphere.

The New York Times

The learning network | should circuses be animal free.

Should Circuses Be Animal Free?

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

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Is it cruel to use wild animals, such as elephants, tigers and bears, as traveling entertainers? Or would the circus just not be the circus without its animal stars?

Should circuses be animal free?

In “Ringling Brothers Circus Dropping Elephants From Act,” Richard Pérez-Peña writes:

In the 133 years since P. T. Barnum bought his first one, no animal has been so closely identified with the circus as the elephant, starring under the big tents, adorning posters and ritually announcing the circus’ arrival with a gawk-worthy parade into town — in the case of New York, through the Midtown Tunnel. But after decades of pressure by animal rights activists who say that the giant creatures are treated cruelly, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey announced Thursday that its three circus companies that still tour the country, performing 1,000 shows a year, would phase out elephant acts, retiring all of the animals by 2018. “It’s pretty remarkable, since they’ve been fighting this fight for so long, and for over a century the icon of the American circus was the elephant,” said Matthew Wittmann, a historian of circuses who has advocated ending the use of elephants. “The view Ringling always propagated was that you can’t have the circus without the elephants, but the global success of Cirque du Soleil shows that you don’t need to have animals of any kind to have a circus.” The debate over circus elephants has been framed in moral terms, but both sides described Ringling’s move as fundamentally economic. “The biggest issue is, there’s been a lot of legislation in different cities and different municipalities,” regulating the use and treatment of animals, said Kenneth Feld, president of Feld Entertainment, Ringling’s parent company. Each elephant costs $65,000 a year to maintain, he said. Ingrid Newkirk, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said people have turned against animal acts as they learn more about the animals and how they are treated. “These are complex, intelligent animals, and this is a lousy, lousy, dirty, cruel business, and people see that,” she said. “This was purely a business decision.”

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us …

— Should circuses be animal free?

— Has the success of Cirque du Soleil demonstrated that audiences will still flock to see acrobats, trapeze artists and tightrope walkers without any animal acts? Or would the circus just not be the circus without its iconic animals?

— Is it cruel to use elephants, tigers and other wild animals as traveling entertainers? Or can these animals be treated humanely while performing across the country?

— Do you think Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey made the right decision in phasing out all elephant acts by 2018? Why?

— Do you think other performing animals might be next? Which ones, and why?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. Please use only your first name. For privacy policy reasons, we will not publish student comments that include a last name.

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Circus animals have the right to be protected and treated humanely under the Animal Welfare Act. Tigers naturally fear fire, but they are still forced to jump through fire hoops in some circuses.In more than 35 dangerous incidents since 2000, elephants have bolted from circuses, run amok through streets, crashed into buildings, attacked members of the public, and killed and injured handlers.

I see how it can be costly, but does make it neccesary to shut down circuses

No, because those people trained hard with their animal and to have it taken away from them would be not only cruel to the animal, but to the owner as well. If any other circus animals I think it would be the lion because it can get free and hurt others and the circus owner does not want that to happen.

Circuses should not be animal free because that the main reasons people go to circuses. There wouldn’t be circuses without animals because the circus would not get very many people that attended.

I believe that a circus needs animals. The animals are exciting and they give everything a big rush. I also think that they will change their minds and keep these animals in.

I do not think it is cruel to use these animals as traveling entertainers as long as they show that they enjoy doing it. If they seem down and unhappy while doing their job and you still continue to make them entertain then i feel that is cruel because you’re making them do something that they do not want to do.

no i don’t think that circuses should be animal free because the animals are the reason why most people go to the circus. And the circus would not be as ironic without the circus animals. No it is not cruel to animals to be traveled in a cage. Yes he should the elephants act should go out because they have been in the circus since it started up. And no i dont think there will be other animals in the circus because everyone likes the animals in the circus already

I think that it is not cruel to use elephants or wild animals as traveling entertainers as long as they are treated humanely.

I think that the Ringling Brothers did the wrong thing by phasing out the elephants because i think people will want to see more.

Circus animals should not be forced to perform. Performances would not be lessened by their absence. Wild animals deserve to have their freedom and not become spectacles for gawking humans. I applaud Ringling Brothers for phasing out elephant and other animal acts.

I think if the animal doesn’t want to be a traveling entertainer than it’s wrong to force them to.

I think that they did not make the right decision because elephant are a endangered species, there a circuses out there that will whip them and be cruel to them and I personally think that it is not right to keep a animal locked in a cage.

If the elephants didn’t think being entertainers then yes they did the right thing by phasing out all the acts.

NO I do not think circuses should be animal free cause it makes it more entertaining for the little kids.

I think the circus animals should be free but then i think that they can be treated humanely. They can probably can have a circus without animals but, probably the one main reason people go to the circus is beacuse of the animals too. I dont think its cruel to use animals because its for peoples entertainment. I think if they have tigers or lions in their circus act they will take them out also for dominince reasons.

I think that animals shouldn’t be used in circuses because animals shouldn’t be forced to do tricks in front of people for entertainment. The success of Cirque du Soleil has proved that people will still come to see acrobats, trapeze artists, etc., because they can make a good show that has amazing stunts even though they don’t have animals. Yes, because not only will they be doing the right thing but if they could make a good show without the elephants it might show all of the other people that they don’t have to have elephants. Yes, because its not only the elephants being treated badly so they will make a good show.

No i do not because they may even get treated better in the circus act. Getting bathed and food and so much more it would be bad if they were in the wild getting bit and hurt and starving. Some animals don’t know the difference because they have never been in the wild.

I think circuses should be animal free because it could harm animals in the circuses and the crows might freak them out. I think other performing animals like birds may be next cause a flock of them could maybe fly through a ring of fire or make cool shapes in the air

Circus animals have a right to be protected and treated right it can be costly but it does not make it right to shut down circuses.

Of course animals should be in the circus with out the animals there would be no circus. Who pays a fee to get into a building to see a man purposely slip on a banana peel and leave.

I think that eventually all animals will be taken out of circuses. There’s always going to be someone that complains the use of animals. Even without animals in circuses, I think that people will still go to circuses. The circuses would be more entertaining with the animals, but they would still be entertaining without them.

I don’t think that circuses should not be animal free. Why I think this is , because animals like the main part of the circus. There are also acrobats and trapeze. But it is also cool when the big animals do the tricks and the are trained to do those tricks. In this article it says,”it is cruel to use elephants, tigers and other wild animals as traveling entertainers.” But, no they are trained they are not wild how do you think they do those tricks. It is because they are trained. That is why I think circus animals should be protected.

Yes It is tragic to see these wild animals to be treated like this but it is a better life style than in there habitat. They are now exposed to as many threats in the circus as they are in the wild. Also they do not have to search for there next meal.

I don’t think that circuses should be animal free because having large exotic animals is what circuses are known for and I honestly don’t think it would be the same if you took them away.

I think that the circuses should be free of animals because the people could do some of the stuff they are doing.

I get where people are coming from to close the circus animals down, but little kids would like to see animals.

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Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos?

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Update: Our award-winning video series Above the Noise took a fresh look at the pros and cons of zoos.  Students can watch the video to get a primer on the facts then write their own responses on KQED Learn.

This post is part of KQED’s Do Now U project. Do Now U is a weekly activity for students and the public to engage and respond to current issues using social media. Do Now U aims to build civic engagement and digital literacy for learners of all ages. This post was written by Sophia Buscher and Victoria Staudenraus , students at St. Mary’s College of California , in partnership with the Lindsay Wildlife Experience .

Featured Media Resource: VIDEO:  Zoo Conservation Raise Debate  (CNN) Hear opposing thoughts from a field biologist at the University of York and the president of the Born Free Foundation about keeping animals in zoos for conservation purposes.

Do you think animals should be kept in zoos?   #DoNowUZoo

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Learn More about Animals in Zoos

Although wild animals have been held captive for thousands of years, the first modern zoo opened in 1763 in Paris, France. As people became more interested in science and natural history, zoos served as a way to display and study animals. Today, zoos provide opportunities for public education and entertainment, as well as scientific research and conservation. There are about 2,800 licensed animal exhibitors throughout the U.S., which include zoos, circuses, petting farms, wildlife and marine mammal parks, and some sanctuaries. Out of these, 233 are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). The AZA “ holds animal exhibitors to high standards of animal care, science and conservation ” in the United States and all over the world. Even though many animal exhibitors are still considered zoos, they have not met the requirements of the AZA and, therefore, have not been accredited.

Proponents of zoos point to the fact that they educate the general public, are beneficial for scientific research, and work toward conservation efforts and captive breeding. At the San Francisco Zoo, there are educational programs for children ages 1-17. From camps, to mobile programs that bring smaller animals to schools, to family activities that look at local wildlife near the zoo, the public is able to get hands-on education about animals they may not be able to meet and learn about otherwise. The Lindsay Wildlife Experience in Walnut Creek, California, offers similar experiences to connect locals with wildlife and educate people on how they can do small things to help benefit wildlife in urban areas. Zoos can also be beneficial for scientific research. Studies are sometimes better able to be completed in zoos because of the controlled environment of a zoo. Lastly, zoos help endangered populations by using captive breeding and release. The AZA’s Species Survival Plan Program is a long-term plan that incorporates conservation breeding, preservation of habitat, education and research to support the survival of threatened and endangered species. Many zoos also work on local conservation efforts to maintain local wildlife populations.

On the other hand, many would say that wild animals should not be held in captivity. It has been argued that captive breeding isn’t always effective, zoos do not provide natural habitats, and that zoos put unnecessary stress on animals. Some studies have shown that reintroduced animals have high mortality rates because they are poorly adapted and lack the skills needed to survive in the wild. Since an animal’s well-being is dependent on their environment, some contend that zoos do not provide healthy habitats for animals. Enclosures–even when designed to mimic an animal’s natural habitat–are still not really natural. And, zoos can’t really provide the space that large or wide-ranging animals, like elephants, are used to. Due in part to unnatural enclosures, animals in zoos are under stress . Animals are often bored and, as a result, some become aggressive and can lash out at other animals or zookeepers. In a study done on 40 chimpanzees in six different zoos, all of the chimps exhibited behavior their counterparts in nature did not. Some of these behaviors included rocking back and forth, tearing out their hair, self-mutilation, and the drinking of their urine. This behavior is not seen in their wild counterparts suggesting that being in the zoo is causing these chimps to develop mental illness due to stress.

What do you think? Should animals be kept in zoos? Why or why not?

More Resources

Video: DNews The Pros & Cons of Zoos Hear about some of the benefits zoos and some of negative effects that they have on animals.

Video: BBC Horizon: Should We Close Our Zoos? This clip briefly examines the history of zoos, and questions experts and professionals about keeping animals in small enclosures.

Audio: WNYC A Passionate Call to Leave Animals Alone and Zoos Behind Not everyone enjoys their visit to the zoo. Hear why Tim Zimmerman believes we should reconsider our arguments for keeping zoos open. He offers an alternative to traditional zoos that can make both animals and human visitors happy.

Article: The Washington Post At Zoos, Not Every Resident is a Spring Chicken From protecting elderly animals to preserving endangered species, read more about the benefits of holding animals in captivity.

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QUESTION 26 - Animal-free entertainment Shows such as the circus often use animals whereas there are some circuses now that are completely animal free and some shows use robotic animals instead. Entertainment such as the circus and shows should be animal free. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point. …

Struggling With Writing In English?

Why animals should not be used for entertainment by arjybargy.

I strongly agree with the statement that we should stop using animals for entertainment. Not only that is it that we are taking animals from the wild, but we are also destroying their lives and killing them, which is extremely cruel. So, we have to try and put a stop to it.

If you were taken away from your loved ones, how would you feel. I wouldn’t fancy being taken from my home. Especially that we are not treating them well. We are firing them out of cannons at the circus, taming them to race, whipping them to go faster, or forcing them to race for us to enjoy. To be an animal in that state, it would hurt a lot.

The whip is gnashing through my hide while I am running. My back starts to bleed as I continue to get whipped. That is what it feels like to be a racing horse. Humans don’t like being whipped, so why should we whip to animals? Thankfully greyhound racing is stopping in Australia, but elsewhere in the world, the dogs are racing for human entertainment against their will. When the greyhounds are no longer needed to race, if they survive, they are sold off, or else killed. Both animals may get heart attacks from racing or get heart failure. So, in place of the animals, robots can race and do their stunts.

Many people may disagree with me and say that it won’t be entertaining to watch anymore because robots will be programmed to do stunts or race, since it will be more predictable. However, torture and death doesn’t get you anywhere either, so robots taking the place of animals for circus and racing is a great idea.

In conclusion, I think it is a fabulous idea to use robots for these extreme animal sports and activities. Even if it isn’t as entertaining, you are saving millions of animal lives. Anyway, you shouldn’t be entertained by watching animals suffer, you should be entertained by watching animals be set free.

Your essay has received a general score of 3.5 on a scale from 0 to 10 #3 out of 60

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Are Zoos Good or Bad for Animals? The Argument, Explained

Debates about the ethics of zoos abound — but when it comes to animal welfare, there are certainly more cons than pros.

Explainer • Entertainment • Policy

Words by Björn Ólafsson

For many people, zoos are the only chance they’ll have in their entire lives to see beautiful animals native to far-flung ecosystems — lions, elephants, pandas, lemurs — the list goes on. And they’re popular — over 181 million people visit a U.S. zoo every year . But zoos face criticism from animal welfare organizations and environmental activists for inhumane treatment of the animals they claim to protect. Zoos maintain that they are important aspects of conservation and education. 

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of zoos ?  Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these controversial organizations. 

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Zoos ?

First, not all zoos are created equal. While it is easy to imagine animal ethics as a binary of evil and moral, zoos can vary widely on how they treat their animals, how much space they are given and how the animals are obtained. Still, most zoos tend to have the same positives and negatives overall. 

Arguments Against Zoos

Poor conditions for animals.

Animals Often Only Have Quite Limited Space

Many zoos’ enclosures are too small, especially for animal species that are used to roaming, flying or swimming large distances in the wild. For example, polar bears are used to home ranges of about 1,000 square kilometers in the wild — large swaths of land and ice they enjoy exploring . In zoos, they get a couple hundred square feet. 

Zoos Are  Crowded

In addition to limited space, many zoos cram in as many animals as possible into the enclosures. Many visitors prefer seeing animals up close, instead of peering at them from afar, hidden in their dens or nests. This encourages zoos to increase the number of animals per exhibit,  increasing the likelihood of visitors seeing animals on the move near the boundaries of the enclosure. 

Animals Are Trapped in Unnatural Environments

Anyone who has visited a zoo knows the exhibits are a far cry from the natural landscape they are trying to imitate. Nearly all zoo enclosures contain fences, glass or other barriers for visitors to look through, which are inherently artificial. And the natural-seeming landscapes can sometimes be made out of astroturf, concrete or plastic.

Confinement May Alter the Behavior of Animals

The lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions can directly affect the behavior of animals ; most notably in the form of what’s known as “stereotypy.” Stereotypy is a condition in which non-human animals engage in repetitive behaviors with no apparent purpose, such as pacing for hours on end, wagging tails abnormally or picking their own fur. 

The structure of zoos increases the likelihood of stereotypic behavior due to a lack of enrichment, mundane environments and boring, repetitive schedules. This prevalence of stereotypy in zoos even has its own name: “zoochosis,” or psychosis caused by zoos . 

‘Surplus’ Animals Can Be Killed

After an animal has reproduced successfully and the zoo no longer requires the animal to maintain an exhibit, the animal is deemed “surplus.” At this point, the animal’s welfare is no longer profitable . Zoos can sell the animal to private owners (who may keep the animal in tiny cages for amusement or kill the animal for taxidermy purposes), sell the animal to other zoos or enclosures, or “euthanize” the animal. 

Animals Are Often Mistreated 

Animal mistreatment is much more than hitting or beating an animal. It also includes harmful training techniques, separation from family members and forcing animals to behave in abnormal ways. 

In a report from World Animal Protection, three-fourths of zoos include human-animal interactions , many of which can be very stressful or physically harmful for animals. In some extreme cases, visitors rode on the backs of animals (causing injury) or encroached on the animals’ enclosure (causing stress).

Investigations into popular zoos sometimes reveal that caretakers don’t always clean the exhibits frequently , leaving the animals to live near their feces. The research also reveals many zookeepers hitting animals who “misbehave,” and not helping animals with injuries sustained in the enclosures. While not all animal caretakers behave this way, the reporting suggests many zoos around the world are lax with animal welfare. 

Animals Don’t Like Being Visited

The mere presence of human beings can negatively affect wild animals, especially in massive crowds that are common at zoos. Being bombarded by the sounds, smells and appearances of swaths of humans can trigger the stress responses of some animals . Some studies show that the number of visitors correlates with the amount of stress hormones in many animal species. 

Animals Struggle to Form Connections

Many animals are highly social creatures. Elephants, lions, pigs, cows and many more species are shown to have complex connections, hierarchies and relationships with members of their own kind — especially with friends and family. However, zoo animals rarely stay with the same herd or family for their entire lives. Instead, zoos opt to transfer, sell, buy or relocate animals throughout their lifespans, making it difficult for animals to form social connections . This lack of bonding can harm the animals emotionally. 

Zoos Are for Humans, Not Animals

Most zoos are for-profit enterprises, meaning they have one goal in mind: maximizing revenue. It is easy to see how making more money can come at the expense of animal welfare. For example, a zoo is unlikely to fund an exhibit expansion if it isn’t cost-effective, regardless of its benefits for the animals inside. While many zookeepers form real bonds with their animal companions, the animals still exist under a for-profit, human-centered organization. 

Zoos Promote Human Superiority

The aesthetic nature of zoos — animals in panopticon-like enclosures, viewed 24/7 by members of a different species — can reinforce human superiority. As moral philosopher Lori Gruen writes in her book, “visitors leave the zoo more convinced than ever of human superiority over the natural world.” Of course, zoos also reinforce the idea that humans have a right to take away animals’ freedom and bodily autonomy.

Zoos Don’t Always Help with Conservation — Some Wild Animals Have to Be Caught to Bring Them to Zoos

Many animals in zoos are born in captivity, but that’s not the case for all. Many animals are taken directly from the wild , often when they are babies, to make the transition to captivity a bit easier. At times, this is done in the name of conservation, or when a wild animal is very ill. But many zoos will take animals from the wild, or buy animals from unethical animal traders. 

It’s Often Not Possible to Return Animals to the Wild

Releasing an animal into the wild isn’t always successful, especially if the animal has spent time in climates different from their native regions, like jungles, savannas or ice caps. Properly preparing animals for success in the wild is a multi-stage process that can require thousands of dollars — and it doesn’t always work . Captive-born predator species — disadvantaged by being born and raised in an artificial environment — only have a survival rate after being released into the wild of 33 percent , according to one study. As a result, re-release is not a priority for many zoos.

Zoos Are Poorly Regulated

While there exist many laws that protect animals, such as the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Endangered Species Act , they only offer minimum protections . For example, the AWA excludes entire species of animals, like mice, farmed animals, birds and all cold-blooded animals. Its “minimum” standards of care usually ensure the animals’ safety, not their welfare or happiness. Many animal law experts say these regulations don’t go far enough . 

What Are the Pros of Having Zoos?

They Can Be Important for Researchers

Biologists and zoologists can benefit from studying animals in zoos. Some breakthroughs in animal behavior and treatment, like why elephants swing their trunks or how gorillas develop heart disease, have been made possible because of zoos’ ease of access . However, not all animals behave the same in captivity as they do in the wild, so not all research is possible in zoos. 

Zoos Are Educational — People May Behave “Eco-friendlier” After Going To the Zoo

Zoos can kickstart individuals’ interest in biodiversity, which is a critical aspect of environmental protection. Many zoos include calls to action in their exhibits, highlighting how endangered animals are being poached, driven away, or otherwise killed by human activity. This can inspire some people to behave more conscientiously. One limited survey found that 35 percent of eco-friendly people learned sustainable behavior from zoos . ‘

Zoos Can Help Educate Children About Animals

Zoos are a quintessential school experience for many young people. Children love learning about animals up-close in a safe environment — in fact, education is possibly the biggest advantage of modern zoos. Many programs, like school presentations, guided tours, informational exhibits, and talks with zookeepers can trigger a lifelong love of animals in children .  

But zoos aren’t perfect in this regard. According to a study of zoo visitors in the UK, only 34 percent of children learned more about animals at zoos (the result was slightly better when the children were given  a guided tour). Worse, children did not feel empowered to help with conservation efforts after visiting a zoo. This suggests that if zoos care about education, they need to more actively reach out to schoolchildren for empowerment and education. 

Going to the Zoo Is Affordable

More ethical ways of engaging with animals without removing them from their natural habitats — like whale watching, safaris, hikes, or excursions — are usually expensive or inaccessible for many people. Zoos tend to be relatively cheap for the average family that wants to learn about animals. 

Conservation

Zoos Can Protect Endangered Species from Extinction

Zoos often claim they can protect entire species from extinction through conservation programs that involve breeding more animals in captivity and then releasing them into the wild. This is especially important for endangered species like pandas. 

While these conservation efforts are truly important, they don’t represent the majority of a zoo’s activities, nor are zoos leaders in conservation worldwide. At the National Zoo, for example, only one-fifth of animals are endangered . In North America, zoos only contribute about 14 percent of all animals reintroduced into the wild as part of a conservation program. Zoos also tend to focus on headline-grabbing endangered animals to bring in visitors, like pandas, elephants or tigers, as opposed to lesser-known but crucial species, like tamarins, kakapos or wombats. 

Are Zoos Good or Bad for the Environment?

Zoos claim to support global biodiversity through conservation efforts like protecting endangered animals. This is somewhat true, although it varies greatly from zoo to zoo. 

On the other hand, zoos are big polluters and use up lots of resources , especially energy and water . Aquariums in particular use tons and tons of water. Zoo animals also generate waste that may or may not be composted or disposed of correctly.

Should Zoos Exist or Be Banned?

Given the many ways that zoos are unethical to animals, the flawed attempts to contribute to conservation, and the positioning of humans as superior to animals, many animal ethicists believe zoos should not exist — or at least, not exist in their current form . 

For example, animal philosopher Dale Jamieson says in his book Ethics on the Ark that zoos primarily “alleviate our sense of guilt for what we are doing to the planet, but they do little to help the animals we are driving to extinction.” He continues to argue that zoos exist for humans alone , and that it is very difficult to wave away the inherent immorality of depriving animals their liberty for the sake of human amusement. 

Instead, private conservation programs can benefit endangered animals without showcasing them to the public. Animal sanctuaries, which are  areas of land in which endangered and other animals are protected by humans, are also advantageous for both individual animals and global biodiversity . 

Zoos do have advantages — fostering curiosity and education chief among them. But experts believe there are other ways of accomplishing these goals without resorting to zoos with tiny enclosures. Excursions, nature documentaries, safaris, local gardens, hikes, boat tours and other ways of interacting with nature don’t involve taking animals out of their natural habitats. 

The Bottom Line

If you do choose to visit a zoo, opt for zoos that have certifications from independent animal welfare organizations. If you are interested in animal conservation, you’d be more impactful donating to a non-zoo animal protection organization instead. And if you do want to visit animals, consider an animal sanctuary or an ethical safari, where you can see animals in their native environments.

Independent Journalism Needs You

Björn Jóhann Ólafsson is a science writer and journalist who cares deeply about understanding the natural world and her inhabitants through stories and data. He reports on the environmental footprint of the meat industry, the alternative protein sector and cultural attitudes around food. His previous bylines include the EU Observer and Elemental. He lives in Spain with his two lovebirds.

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Should Animals be Used in Research: Argumentative Essay

Should animals be used in research? This argumentative essay aims to answer the question. It focuses on pros and cons of animal testing for scientific and medical goals.

Introduction

• The Arguments

Works Cited

All over the world, animal activists and institutions have argued whether or not research should be used on animals or should be outlawed. Philosophers believe that experiments on animals are not morally justified because they cause pain or harm the animals. A group of these philosophers believe that other alternatives are available, thus they claim that because we have other alternatives, the use of animals in research should be outlawed.

Should Animals Be Used in Research? The Arguments

In my opinion, I support the line of argument that animals should not be used in research. Since the discovery of knowing through science (research), the use of animals in research has elicited mixed reactions among different scholars. Philosophers are against the idea citing the availability of other options for toxicological tests on animals and the harsh treatments the scientists have accorded these animals in the medical tests. Unless scientists discover other ways of testing medicines, I think tests on animals are unethical.

Scientists use these creatures to validate a theory and then revise or change their theories depending on the new facts or information gained from every test performed. Animal rights lobby groups believe that animals are used for no reasons in these experiments as the animals endure pain inflicted on them during these tests (Singer 2). They tend to overlook the fact that animals have moral existence, social and religious values. Thousands of animals on this planet contribute largely to the aesthetic appeal of the land.

On the other hand, scientists only see the positive contributions of animal tests to the medical field and ignore the side effects of the tests on the animals’ lives. They overlook the idea that animals are hurt and thus suffer tremendously.

To them the impact of the research on the lives of their families and friends by coming up with vaccines and drugs is the inspiration. Research on animals should be banned because it inflicts pain, harms the culprits and morally it is unjustified. Has man ever wondered whether or not animals feel similar pain that humans feel? (Singer 2).

Human beings know very well that they themselves feel pain. For example, you will know that a metal rod is hot by touching it with bare hands. It is believed that pain is mental; in other words it cannot be seen. We feel pain and we realize that other creatures also feel pain from observations like jerking away from an event or even yelling.

Since the reactions are the same as those of man, philosophers say that animals feel similar pain just like humans. Animal activists reaffirm that the major undoing of tests involving animals is the manner in which the animals are treated arguing that anesthesia for suppressing the pain is never used.

However, as many people are opposed to the use of animals in research, many lives have been saved every year due to their death. I think that instead of refuting that taking away the life of a rat is unethical, harms the animal; I believe it is a bold step in improving the welfare of millions of people for thousands of years to come. Tests on animals are the most common toxicological tests used by scientists; the findings help to better lives for hundreds of people across the universe (Fox 12).

Fox, Michael A. The Case for Animal Experimentation. California: University of California Press, 1986.

Singer, Peter. Animal Liberation. New York: Random House, 1975.

• Should animals be used for scientific research?
• Definition of Animal Rights and Its Problems
• An Argumentative Essay: How to Write
• Writing Argumentative Essay With Computer Aided Formulation
• Animal Testing: Should Animal Testing Be Allowed? — Argumentative Essay
• Ethical Problems of the Animal Abuse
• The Debate About Animal Rights
• Animal Cloning Benefits and Controversies
• Use of Animals in Research Testing: Ethical Justifications Involved
• Experimentation on Animals
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

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Argumentative Essay Topics about Animals

Looking for a good argumentative essay topic about animals? You’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of 20 topics that will get you started.

Argumentative essay topics about animals can be divided into three categories: animal rights, animal welfare, and animal testing. Each one of these topics could be argued from multiple perspectives.

Animal rights is the belief that animals should have the same basic rights as humans, including the right to life and liberty. Animal welfare is the view that animals should be treated humanely and with compassion, and that their well-being should be given consideration. Animal testing is the use of animals in scientific experiments to further our understanding of health and disease.

All three of these topics are controversial , which makes them perfect for an argumentative essay. So without further ado, here are 20 argumentative essay topics about animals!

What You'll Learn

Thirty Argumentative Essay Topics about Animals

1. Zoos are inhumane and should be banned. 2. Animal testing is cruel and should be outlawed. 3. Pets should not be allowed in public places. 4. Service animals should be exempt from laws banning animals in public places. 5. Hunter education should be mandatory for all hunters. 6. Trapping should be banned because it’s inhumane. 7. Fur coats should be banned because of the cruelty involved in obtaining the fur. 8. The exotic animal trade should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 9. Animal hoarders should be required to get help for their mental health issues and have their animals seized. 10. It should be illegal to breed dogs for physical characteristics that cause them health problems.

11. Puppy mills should be outlawed because of the inhumane conditions the animals are kept in. 12. Animal fighting should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 13. The use of animals in entertainment should be banned because it’s cruel. 14. Factory farming should be banned because of the inhumane conditions the animals are kept in. 15. Animals should not be kept in zoos because it’s cruel and they’re often not able to live a natural life. 16. It should be illegal to hunt animals for sport because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 17. The use of animals for research should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death. 18. It should be illegal to buy or sell ivory because it contributes to the poaching of elephants. 19. It should be illegal to buy or sell endangered animal parts because it contributes to the decline of those species. 20. The ownership of exotic animals should be banned because it’s cruel and often results in the animal’s death

Twenty Argumentative Essay Topics on Animals to Write About

1. Is it morally wrong to keep animals in captivity? 2. Should the hunting of animals be banned? 3. Is it cruel to declaw cats? 4. Should there be a ban on bullfighting? 5. How does the animal welfare movement impact the lives of animals? 6. Is it morally wrong to eat meat? 7. Should more be done to protect endangered species? 8. What is the impact of zoos on animals? 9. How do humans benefit from keeping animals in zoos? 10. Are factory farms cruel to animals? 11. What is the impact of animal testing on human health? 12. Should the use of fur be banned? 13. What are the benefits of having a pet? 14. How does animal agriculture impact the environment? 15. What is the relationship between humans and animals? 16. How does our treatment of animals reflect our values as a society? 17. Do we have a responsibility to care for all animals, or just those that are cute and cuddly? 18. How can we make sure that all animals are treated humanely? 19. What are some ways that people mist

Animal topics for research papers

There are many different animal topics that you can choose to write about for your research paper. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Animal testing: Is it necessary? 2. The pros and cons of zoos 3. Are exotic animals good or bad pets? 4. The link between animal abuse and domestic violence 5. How do we define “humane” treatment of animals? 6. Should there be more regulations on the breeding of animals? 7. The impact of climate change on wildlife 8. How humans can coexist with dangerous animals 9. The ethical debate surrounding the consumption of animal products 10. Are there alternatives to using animals for research purposes?

Animal topics for essay

There are many different animal topics that you can choose to write about for your essay . Here are some ideas to get you started:

-The pros and cons of keeping animals in captivity -The ethical considerations of animal testing -The impact of human activity on endangered species -The complex social hierarchies of animal societies -The fascinating world of animal communication -The incredible adaptability of animals to changing environments-The unique and important role of animals in ecosystem

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Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Animal Testing — Should We Ban Animal Testing?

Should We Ban Animal Testing?

• Categories: Animal Rights Animal Testing

About this sample

Words: 543 |

Published: Jun 6, 2024

Words: 543 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

Introduction, ethical implications of animal testing, availability of alternative methods, questionable relevance of animal models.

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