Although most zoo-goers believe animals are taken from the wild to rehabilitate them, in fact, numerous animals are taken from their natural habitats without reason. In her article, “Reason to Rethink Zoos,” Katherine Glosser maintains that “Some zoos have something called reintroduction programs. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, reintroduction programs are programs where animals are rehabilitated from injuries or illness, or situations where they are found away from their home and need to be relocated. Once an animal fully recovers, they are then released back into the wild” (Glosser par. 9). Basically, Glosser is stating that the animals who have been hurt are promised to be released back to their habitats once they are healed, but animals have been captured with no intention to be released. Zimbabwe is an example of a country that traps animals for profit. For example, Zimbabwe tried to capture multiple animals located in the Hwange National Park. The animals the Zimbabweans were planning to imprison include two of every mammal in the park. Another argument explained by “10 Facts about Zoos” is that the Zimbabweans intention was terminated by Citizens for Animal Protection Society (CAPS) and a number of other organizations (“10 Facts about Zoos” par. 22). This is not the only case of animals being captured for “rehabilitation”.
Even though an animal is captured for “rehabilitation,” then they are often not released, despite the fact that the programs state that they will release the animal. On zoocheck.com, a research was conducted and found that every one out of two zoos does not plan to discharge healed animals from their enclosure (Glosser par. 7). The animals will not undergo their lives the way they would have in their inborn habitat. Another argument explained by Aly Baker, writer at University Writer, is Even though a number of zoos treat their animals with great care, if the enclosed animals are released back to their habitats they will lack the skills they will need in order to survive (Baker par. 7). Once an animal is removed from nature, it can cause a countless number of mental disabilities. A considerable number of studies have been done to research species that suffer from mental illnesses, like anxiety and depression, once they are taken from the wild. According toTime magazine writer and reporter Justin Worland, These studies also proved that these same species are shown to have more brain activity and emotion while in their natural habitats (Worland par. 9). Animals are taken from their inborn homes and families to die imprisoned or die from being released and not being able to function on their own; animals should not be put in these circumstances (Baker par. 9). A study at National Geographic shows that zoos were created before 2500 BC. In the year of 1874, the first American zoo, the Philadelphia Zoo opened (Baker par. 3). In the United States alone, that is more than 150 years of animals being captured and mistreated. Worland states, “If we acknowledge that creatures suffer when they're confined, should they be held in captivity? Not even those who have advanced the cause for more humane exhibits have an answer...To me, that's the fundamental flaw” (qtd. Worland par. 9). In making this comment, Worland urges Americans to realize that 150 years animals that are constantly suffering while being held in captivity, even if they are placed in the newest exhibits. Zoos could cause less stress on the animals if their exhibits were more up to scale, but they are not.