Write an essay about Zoos do not accomplish their stated goal of conservation.
Asked on 5/23/2023, 2 pageviews
Zoos have existed for centuries as a way to showcase wildlife and offer the public an opportunity to observe exotic and rare animals up-close. They are meant to be a place of entertainment, education and conservation all rolled into one. However, in recent years, there has been increased criticism of zoos and whether they truly accomplish their stated goal of conservation.
The primary argument put forth in support of zoos is that they play a vital role in the conservation of endangered species by providing a safe and secure environment for them to live in. However, while it is true that zoos sometimes manage to keep species alive when they would be extinct in the wild, the fact remains that this does not equate to conservation.
In many cases, zoos only focus on a limited number of species that are commercially viable or popular with the public. More than 90% of species in zoos are not considered endangered and therefore not in need of conservation. The fact is that zoos spend more money and time on these non-endangered species creating the illusion that they are working towards conservation when in reality, they are only providing entertainment.
Moreover, the living conditions of animals in zoos are often far from ideal. They are kept in small, unnatural and restrictive enclosures, where many animals suffer from mental health issues due to their confinement and lack of exercise. This is a far cry from the open spaces and natural habitats that animals would enjoy in the wild. It is only logical to expect that an animal living in a small enclosure is not going to thrive as they would in the wild. This means that the fundamental purpose of a zoo – to conserve wildlife- is contradicted by the very conditions that they create.
Zoos also argue that the breeding programs that they run for endangered species are contributing to the conservation of the species. However, this is a false claim. While some species might be saved from extinction this way, this does not necessarily have a positive impact on populations in the wild. Most of these animals cannot be reintroduced into their natural habitats due to their genetic makeup, and even if they can, they rarely thrive in the wild. Research shows that the offspring of animals bred in captivity have a lower chance of survival than their wild counterparts. This means that the contribution of animals bred in captivity to the wild population is minimal. Therefore, the conservation arguments put forth by zoos that operate breeding programs to save endangered species are flawed.
In conclusion, it is clear that zoos cannot claim to be accomplishing their stated goal of conservation fully. Zoos may offer the public an opportunity to observe wildlife closely, but they are not helping to conserve species. They focus on non-endangered species that bring maximum economic gain for them and offer little relief or contribution to saving species in the wild. The key to saving endangered species is to focus on their conservation in natural habitats rather than artificially creating environments that are not ideal. Zoos may continue to play a role in educating the public, but they cannot claim to be playing a vital role in conservation.
Andika insha kuhusu bustani za wanyama hazifanyi lengo lao la kuhifadhi. Kwa miaka mingi, bustani za wanyama zimekuwa mahali pa kuonyesha wanyama wa porini na kutoa fursa kwa umma kuona wanyama wa kigeni na wa nadra kwa karibu. Zinatakiwa kuwa mahali pa burudani, elimu na uhifadhi wote katika moja. Hata hivyo, katika miaka ya hivi karibuni, kumekuwa na upinzani mkubwa dhidi ya bustani za wanyama na ikiwa zinatimiza kusudi lao la kuhifadhi wanyama. Hoja kuu inayotolewa kuunga mkono bustani za wanyama ni kwamba wao hutimiza fungu muhimu katika kuhifadhi spishi zilizo hatarini kwa kuwapa mazingira salama na salama ya kuishi. Hata hivyo, ingawa ni kweli kwamba nyakati nyingine bustani za wanyama hufaulu kuhifadhi spishi ambazo zingeangamia katika mazingira ya asili, jambo hilo halimaanishi kwamba zinahifadhiwa. Katika visa vingi, bustani za wanyama hukazia fikira tu idadi ndogo ya spishi ambazo zina faida ya kibiashara au zinajulikana sana na watu. Zaidi ya 90% ya spishi katika bustani za wanyama hazionekani kuwa hatarini na kwa hivyo hazihitaji kuhifadhiwa. Kwa kweli, bustani za wanyama hutumia pesa na wakati mwingi kwa spishi hizi zisizo hatarini, na kuunda udanganyifu kwamba zinafanya kazi kwa ajili ya uhifadhi wakati kwa kweli, zinatoa burudani tu. Isitoshe, mara nyingi hali za wanyama katika bustani za wanyama si nzuri sana. Wamefungwa katika vyumba vidogo, visivyo vya asili na vyenye vizuizi, ambapo wanyama wengi wanateseka kutokana na matatizo ya afya ya akili kutokana na kufungwa kwao na ukosefu wa mazoezi. Hii ni mbali sana na maeneo ya wazi na makao ya asili ambayo wanyama wangefurahia katika mazingira ya porini. Ni jambo la kawaida kwa mnyama anayeishi katika chumba kidogo kuishi kama vile alivyo katika mazingira ya asili. Hii inamaanisha kwamba kusudi la msingi la bustani ya wanyama - kuhifadhi wanyama-pori - linapingana na hali ambazo huundwa. Hifadhi za wanyama pia husema kwamba programu za kuzaliana ambazo zinaendesha kwa ajili ya spishi zilizo hatarini mwa kutoweka zinachangia kuhifadhi spishi hizo. Hata hivyo, hilo ni dai lisilo la kweli. Ingawa huenda spishi fulani zisawishwe kutoka kwenye kutoweka kwa njia hiyo, hilo halina maana ya kuwa na matokeo mazuri kwa idadi ya spishi zilizo porini. Wanyama hawa hawawezi kurudishwa katika mazingira yao ya asili kwa sababu ya muundo wao wa maumbile, na hata kama wanaweza, ni nadra sana kusitawi katika mazingira yao ya asili. Utafiti unaonyesha kwamba watoto wa wanyama waliozaliwa katika utekwa wana uwezekano mdogo wa kuishi kuliko wale wa porini. Hilo lamaanisha kwamba mchango wa wanyama waliozaliwa katika utekwa kwa idadi ya wanyama wa porini ni mdogo sana. Kwa hiyo, hoja za kuhifadhi zinazotolewa na bustani za wanyama zinazoendesha programu za kuzaana ili kuokoa spishi zilizo hatarini mwa kutoweka zina kasoro. Kwa kumalizia, ni wazi kwamba bustani za wanyama haziwezi kudai kwamba zinatimiza kikamili mradi wao wa kuhifadhi. Huenda bustani za wanyama zikawapa watu nafasi ya kuchunguza wanyama-pori kwa ukaribu, lakini hazisaidii kuhifadhi spishi. Hizi huelekeza kwenye spishi zisizo hatarini ambazo huleta faida kubwa ya kiuchumi kwao na kutoa misaada kidogo au mchango wa kuokoa spishi katika mazingira ya asili. "Kifungu cha kuokoa spishi zilizo hatarini ni kuzingatia kuhifadhiwa katika mazingira ya asili badala ya kuunda mazingira ambayo si bora.""" Ingawa bustani za wanyama zinaweza kuwa na jukumu la kuelimisha umma, hazitaweza kudai kuwa na jukumu muhimu katika uhifadhi.