Now the issue of animals in captivity is a hot issue with a lot of people. Some want all animals to be out in the wild and free like they should be, and others think it is ok for them to be in captivity as long as they cannot take care of themselves in the wild or other issues that would keep them from thriving in the wild.
I find myself torn between the sides. I truly wish that all wild animals could live in the wild the way they are supposed to be. That all dolphins were in the oceans, all tigers, and lions in their native homes and all birds in the sky and trees. Though with the way humans treat animals today I find that captivity is keeping animals from being killed because they are an inconvenient for humans. They get in our way of building our million dollar homes, they eat the fish we are trying to catch or make too much noise around our homes. Well not all animals in captivity are safe from humans. There are come zoos, marine parks and other places that mistreat their animals.
One story that makes me feel very torn is the story about Reba, an Asian Elephant who is at the zoo I work for. She came to us a few years ago from Ringling Brother's Circus. She was waiting to be killed by them because she was considered dangerous, she had killed her trainer who was not only forcing her to stand up on her hind legs for hours a day, but who would abuse her when she wouldn't do the tricks. After so many years of abuse, she finally stood up for herself and killed the trainer who had treated her so badly. She was kept in a small compound with other elephants that were too old to be used. She sat there for months waiting for her time to be up. The zoo I work for asked if they could take her and another female elephant that injured her trainer as well. Now both elephants live at the zoo where their trainers take care of them, never force them, or harm them for being who they are. Reba has many behavior problems, mostly she does not get along with the other two elephants, and she has health problems.
This story pulls me in two directions because of how she was treated in captivity. That rather than living in
Asia with other female elephants she was in a horrible circus that has gotten away with animal abuse for years. People who know nothing about animals or how to treat others with compassion and respect. Then I am pulled the other direction because the zoo took her in and has given her a second chance at life. A life that she may have never known if we did not step in, she may of been killed because she was protecting herself from becoming a victim of abuse, just like a human would who was in an abusive relationship.
Where do we draw the line? When is it ok for something to take place in one setting and not be allowed to take place in another? If it were possible, I would want every animal to know what it is like to be free. The reason why I see it not a possibility is a lot of the animals we have in captivity do not know how to protect themselves from predators or other elements that may affect them in the wild. They were born in captivity and raised by parents who were born in captivity. They lack a lot or most of their natural instincts that would help them survive in the wild.
While I many be torn in my opinion I know that others have their feet places on one side or another. I have not seen any research to whether there is any kind of good or benefit for animals to be in captivity. I do know there is a book out called Behind the Dolphin Smile by Richard O’Barry about his on going quest to free dolphins from captivity. I have not read it all, but I am sure it would give me some insight to my fight inside about what is right and what is not right.
The bottom line is that humans cannot possibly know what is truly right for animals. We are not them nor do we know everything that goes on in their minds. They are just as complex as we are and we cannot assume anything.
If anyone has any insight to this please feel free to give me your opinions or information that may help others and me in this dilemma.
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There are always to sides to an issue, and this is no exception.
I believe that ..
1.) Animals that have been domesticated since birth (or for an extended period of time because of an injury or something) should remain domesticated. If they're relased into the wild, they won't know how to handle themselves and end up dead prematurely.
2.) Animals that have been living in the wild since birth or for a long time since an injury (and can handle themselves in terms of avoiding predation and getting resources) should live in the wild environment. It is our responsibility as humans to keep the wild environment safe for animals so that they can live there peacefully. For example, stopping poachers and pollution so that animals have the opportunity to live naturally.
I tend to go case by case on this issue, which is the method that I think is the most effective.
In reality I think case by case is the best way to go. I tend to think the same way you do about animals and being either in the wild or in captivity.
Thanks for commenting.
I think that it depends. If you release a cat to the wild however, it will probably die by the hands of a bear or something. So It all depends