Animal Rights Research Paper

What child doesn’t want to see a polar bear just feet from them, or touch a dolphin as it swims through the water? One of the first attractions we are taken to as children are zoos and aquaria. From a young age, we admire the animals we see, and have our favorites that we are determined to visit every time we go. However, there is major controversy as to whether it is morally acceptable to keep animals enclosed for our personal benefit and entertainment, and many different opinions have been voiced by those for and against the practice. This paper will discuss two different perspectives, Conservationists and Animal Rights and Welfare Activists, which raise several valid arguments, such as animal health and education, for and against keeping …show more content…
Conservationists argue that animals in captivity have a schedule and a guaranteed food source. When an animal does not have to participate in the constant search for food, they have more time for leisure activities, like swimming in a pool or playing with toys (“Animal Care - Houston Zoo”). Not only do these animals have a routine with a consistent feeding schedule, their feed is formulated to be the best formula for them. Each individual animal at a zoo or aquarium has a custom meal several times a day, tailored for each animal, even among animals of the same species. (“Animal Care - Houston Zoo”). If an older male lion has a low iron count when his scheduled blood test is taken, then the veterinarian will advise that he receives more, or a different type, of protein. These diets keep the animals properly nourished, and with the energy to do as they please in their enclosure. Not only do they have a routine with their meals, they have a routine with their medical care. All animals have blood work, stool tests, dental work, and various other preventative measures on a regular basis (“Animal Care - Houston Zoo”). This allows veterinarians to catch a disease or ailment before it becomes a fatal problem. By having the animals on specific feeding and preventative medicine routines, they can explore different forms of entertainment and stay happy and …show more content…
Aquaria are well-known for their rehabilitation efforts (“Objectives of Rescue Program”). When animals wash up on shore injured or tangled in trash, aquaria and zoos take these animals in and give them the same level of care their animals receive. After doctoring the animals to full health, they are released where they were found. Zoos will also take in exotic animals that people can’t keep anymore, like snakes and lizards, and incorporate them into their programs (Lin, 2014). SeaWorld states that their rehabilitation efforts are “an important part of SeaWorld's commitment to conservation, research, and education,” (“Objectives of Rescue Program”). SeaWorld also feels their rescue work provides insight into animal ecology and biology. SeaWorld is not given funds specifically for rescue and rehabilitation efforts, nor are they required to participate in rescues or rehabilitations. They do all of this through donations and hard work. They are also one of the largest and most advanced research programs in the United States (“3 Things You’re Not Supposed to Know About Sea World,” 2014). With this in mind, zoos and aquaria are contributing a significant amount of their time and resources towards rehabilitation and conservation

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