Zoos hold tons of animal captive . Many are suffering in
silence their misery unseen despite thousands of people who peer is at them every day. comment.
Answers
Zoos cannot begin to provide the amount of space animals have in the wild. Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. Polar bears have one million times less space.
It is not unusual to see jungles, deserts or icebergs painted onto the walls of enclosures that hold wild animals. These attempts to make the enclosures look natural are for the public’s benefits only - the animals are not fooled, they know they are not in the wild.
Animal suffering
In our investigation work we have documented animal suffering time and time again. Animals living in cramped conditions, sick or dead animals on display, animals living in dirty enclosures with nothing to do.
It is not uncommon to see tigers and lions pacing up and down, over and over again at the window of their enclosure. Or elephants swaying their heads from side to side as they stand rooted to the spot. These ‘stereotypic behaviours’ are a sign of mental distress, brought on by captivity.
Over 500 animals died at South Lakes Safari zoo due to neglect and human error. Animals had died from exposure, emaciation, hypothermia and had even been run over by cars. This zoo was allowed to remain open by local authorities.