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RE: This is Not a Prison: Why Zoos are Hugely Beneficial for Animals
For two years in a row now, we've taken our NC Governor's School students on a field trip to the NC Zoo in Asheboro, which is a perfect example of the wide-open space model. It does all of the good things you talk about. There's even a high school attached to it.
We have to spend a good bit of time debriefing them about modern zoos beforehand, because there are also a number of tiny, local, private zoos here in the state, which are probably no less well-intentioned, but are definitely less well-funded, where the animals are essentially in cages or small outdoor enclosures. Often those are the ones our students have had more exposure to. How do you address those questions, which are not based solely on historical biases?
That is a tricky one. MOST zoos are as I described above and follow protocols laid out by the AZA. Unfortunately, there are some facilities that are privately owned and decide they don't want to pursue AZA accreditation, and as such are not bound by it's rules and proceedings. Granted, they do their best and do provide service to their animals, but they aren't able to provide the large scale space that major zoos are able to provide. They are bound to provide their animals with quality medical care, good nourishment, and keep them healthy with a regimen of enrichment and exercise, or risk being shut down. To address issues with smaller exhibits, they often obtain animals that are used to these conditions (one of our coyotes was raised from a pup in someone's laundry room, and he doesn't function well in large open spaces, so we constructed a smaller play-yard for him). Again, these aren't ideal conditions, but they may be the best possible life that animal can get. When in doubt, talk to the keepers taking care of the animals (not the zoo directors or leadership) and see for yourself what kind of care they provide in contrast to larger facilities. These keepers care a great deal for their animals, and though some sacrifices have to be made, they still do their best to provide quality care.
Hopefully, with good funding and better regulations, these small facilities will be better able to accommodate their animals (most zoos start out as nothing more than a small nature center or petting zoo).
Talk to the keepers. Good point. Thanks.
Great post. Check out our Zoo visit
https://steemit.com/travel/@sunshinetraveler/trip-to-wildlife-zoo-in-naples-fl-valuable-tips-below-lifestyle-3