Animal Captivity
By: Kadynce Mott
Issue 3 Spring 2021
SeaWorld, circuses, theme parks and zoos are places for kids and adults to have fun, and observe some of the world's most amazing creatures. As much of a pleasure as it is to have these places, animals that are showcased are not well. The vast majority of these animals are miserable, lack the proper amount of land and are killed if there is an amount of surplus animals.
Changes in the environment can cause them to become depressed and stressed. According to www.cesarsway.com, an animal's symptoms of depression can be heavily compared to that of a human. When animals are depressed, they display a change in eating habits and sleep for longer periods of time. When stressed, an animal can appear to shake and shiver. Stress will also produce extreme aggression, making them shed excessively and can cause animals to hide from human interactions among other harmful side effects.
Specifically speaking, it has been said that SeaWorld treats their captives horribly. In an article by www.seaworldofhurt.com, several reasons why this establishment is so appalling are pointed out, such as Orca whales having perpetual sunburns that are covered with black zinc oxide so they are hidden from the public eye. Some whales are being forced and “kidnapped” from natural environments and the Orca’s life spans are becoming shorter when they are being held due to the limited space in the small tanks. The deepest tank is an average of 40 feet, but in reality, the deepest an Orca can dive is 100m (328ft). In 1965, the Orca Shamu was captured. During this time, the mother of Shamu was shot by a marine “cowboy” Ted Griffin right in front of her. Griffin’s partner, Don, who went on to work for SeaWorld by delivering Orcas, was found unnecessarily kidnapping and slaughtering whales.
In zoos, aggression in animals, such as lions and tigers are commonly seen on account of the drastic changes from their natural habitat. Patrons will likely witness monkeys, leopards and elephants pacing back and forth or acting abnormal. This can indicate how bored, confused and frustrated they truly are. Like humans, they flourish most and live longer in the environment they were born into with their families. Psychological issues need to be taken into consideration when they are being stolen and held captive.
Giving wildlife more space, funding knowledgeable biologists, supporting groups like P.E.T.A to help keep heartless people away from these helpless creatures and spreading awareness to one another can help the current problems in the wildlife entertainment industry.
Changes in the environment can cause them to become depressed and stressed. According to www.cesarsway.com, an animal's symptoms of depression can be heavily compared to that of a human. When animals are depressed, they display a change in eating habits and sleep for longer periods of time. When stressed, an animal can appear to shake and shiver. Stress will also produce extreme aggression, making them shed excessively and can cause animals to hide from human interactions among other harmful side effects.
Specifically speaking, it has been said that SeaWorld treats their captives horribly. In an article by www.seaworldofhurt.com, several reasons why this establishment is so appalling are pointed out, such as Orca whales having perpetual sunburns that are covered with black zinc oxide so they are hidden from the public eye. Some whales are being forced and “kidnapped” from natural environments and the Orca’s life spans are becoming shorter when they are being held due to the limited space in the small tanks. The deepest tank is an average of 40 feet, but in reality, the deepest an Orca can dive is 100m (328ft). In 1965, the Orca Shamu was captured. During this time, the mother of Shamu was shot by a marine “cowboy” Ted Griffin right in front of her. Griffin’s partner, Don, who went on to work for SeaWorld by delivering Orcas, was found unnecessarily kidnapping and slaughtering whales.
In zoos, aggression in animals, such as lions and tigers are commonly seen on account of the drastic changes from their natural habitat. Patrons will likely witness monkeys, leopards and elephants pacing back and forth or acting abnormal. This can indicate how bored, confused and frustrated they truly are. Like humans, they flourish most and live longer in the environment they were born into with their families. Psychological issues need to be taken into consideration when they are being stolen and held captive.
Giving wildlife more space, funding knowledgeable biologists, supporting groups like P.E.T.A to help keep heartless people away from these helpless creatures and spreading awareness to one another can help the current problems in the wildlife entertainment industry.
