6 KEYWORDS: zoos, animal ethics, zoochosis, conservation support DOI: https://doi.org/10.4079/2578-9201.1(2022).01
Reimagining Zoos Through A Nature-Centered Approach TALBOT DE ST. AUBIN BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, CCAS ‘24, tdestaubin@gwu.edu
ABSTRACT Zoos have been around for centuries, yet they rarely consider the needs of the animals within them. Although recent changes have allowed zoos to benefit conservation efforts and species as a whole, they still harm the individuals that reside there. Therefore, zoos must be redesigned to improve conditions. This paper argues that the best way to do this is through the Nature-Centered approach. This is similar to the safari style zoo, but limits the species allowed in a location. Due to this, animals are able to live in larger enclosures with more enrichment and privacy. A larger emphasis will be placed on conservation as well. This approach will eliminate the issues of current zoos, while simultaneously enhancing their benefits.
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INTRODUCTION Humans have always been fascinated by animals: they were painted on cave walls and even seen as divine in certain cultures. Unfortunately, this also led to them being domesticated or captured for displays, the latter of which evolved into the modern zoo. Yet rarely have the animals’ needs been seriously considered in this relationship (Foster, 1999; Tait, 2016). More recently they have entered into discussion, as the concern for animal rights and conservation has increased, but the desires of the human spectators are still more highly regarded than the needs of the animals they are viewing. This has led to most enclosures being much smaller than natural habitats, with no places to hide, creating unease and even illness in the animals (Chutchawanjumrut, 2015). This disregard for wellbeing is harmful. Nevertheless, zoos do benefit conservation support and efforts. This is especially found in facilities accredited by zoological associations. Therefore, I would argue that an evolution of zoos is needed, not an elimination, as Emma Marris calls for in her recent New York Times article (2021). The design of zoos should be more animal-focused and naturalistic because these institutions are beneficial for conservation, but currently harmful to the individual animals in their care. In this paper, I will argue that the evolution of zoos is best done through a naturecentered approach with larger enclosures, a focus on conservation, and enrichment and habitats, including climate, that replicate those found in the animals’ natural environment. This will enhance the animals’ welfare better than other propositions.
I will start this defense by briefly looking at the history of zoos and the progress that has been made so far. Then, I will expand on the issues that continue in the current model. Next, I will introduce the Nature-Centered approach which makes zoos more naturalistic and animal-focused in order to eliminate the issues of modern zoos. I will follow this by elaborating on the current benefits of these institutions, and how this new approach will further enhance these. Finally, I will critique other possible approaches to redesigning zoos.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ZOO In order to understand the modern zoo, one must be aware of how it came to be. The first documentation of zoo-like structures is from over 4,000 years ago. Egyptian pharaohs and Mesopotamian rulers built their empires, and as part of that process created royal menageries (Foster, 1999). They collected animals from around the world as they traveled and expanded their lands. At this time, exotic animals were a symbol of status and were reserved for the elite. The rulers had private gardens of animals, but only they and visiting rulers were allowed to enjoy them. As this was a show of domination and wealth, the animals’ welfare was not the focus. They were seen as possessions instead of beings. The depictions of monkeys and bears being pulled around by leashes at this time exemplify this (Foster, 1999). The animals were only given what they needed to appear strong for their symbolic representation of the rulers, namely food and water. Their health otherwise was not considered.
