ETHICS OF ANIMAL COLLECTION - Essay Example

Blanchard p.17) argues that it is unethical to keep animals in a zoo. In his own opinion, Blanchard (2011, p.18) explains that confining these animals in a zoo, is not beneficial as compared to if these animals are left to roam about. Parish and Taylor (2010, p. 25) disagrees with this concept that confining animals in a zoo is not beneficial to the society. He denotes that keeping animals in a zoo helps to protect animal species that are in danger of extinction (Parish and Taylor, 2010, p. 31). Michael (2000, p.33) denotes that keeping animals in a zoo is beneficial because it will help to educate the public on a variety of animals, and their various characteristics. Blanchard (2011, p. 19) and Michael (2000, p. 35) denotes that the main ethical reason for the existence of Zoos is for the purpose of conserving wild animals. In fact, Parish and Taylor (2010, p. 22) denotes that Zoos have changed their policies over the last decade in order to focus on animal preservation. To achieve this objective, Parish and Taylor (2010, p. 26) denotes that Zoos have embarked on creation of breeding programs that are meant to replace the existing extinct and endangered animal species. Michael (2000, p. 39) further denotes that Zoos have initiated programs that are aimed on educating the public on the importance of conserving these animals, and their benefits to the eco-system. Twine (2010, p. 46) further believes that Zoos have initiated programs whose main aim is to raise money for purposes of conserving and preserving the animals under their protection. Fanning (2012, p. 28) and Thorsen (2013, p. 47) observe that Zoos also develop technologies which they use to track down and monitors species that are under extinction. The main purpose of developing these technologies is to preserve and conserve these animals. Fanning (2012, p. 33) on the other hand denotes that Zoos are engaged in research, with the main aim of developing medicines to use in treating wild animals, in case they are endangered. Palmer (2010, p.11) and Thorsen (2013, p. 22) believe that medicines developed from these research can also be used to treat domesticated animals. From these arguments, it is therefore prudent to denote that it is very ethical to confine animals in a Zoo. However, Bleiman and Eastland (2010, p. 31) observe that it is not justifiable to confine animals in a zoo, with the pre-text that it is for purposes of conserving them. Wild animals have the capability of protecting themselves, and hence it is not necessary to confine them in a zoo. Scherf (2000, p. 37) further argues that Zoos can educate the public on the importance of conserving animals, without confining them in a zoo. To achieve this objective, Zoos can use diagrams, photos or even videos. In arguing against confining animals in a Zoo, Cohen (2010, p.63) denotes that these animals will suffer boredom and stress. This is because their inter-generation bonds no-longer exist since they are separated from their families. However, Kleiman (2012, p. 33) and Cochrane (2012, p 41) observe that these animals do not suffer boredom and stress when they are confined in a Zoo. This is because the government has initiated welfare programs that are meant to care and protect the animals that are confined in a Zoo. Friese (2013, p. 13) identifies the 2006 Animal welfare act as a piece of legislation that is meant to protect animals confined in a Zoo. This law gives out specific conditions that Zoo owners need to fulfill in order to carter for the various needs of the animals. These conditions include giving these animals a suitable diet, and a decent place to live. Satisfying these conditions will make these animals to portray their normal behaviors, and hence leading to a reduction of stress and boredom (DeMello, 2012, p. 30). From these arguments, we can denote that keeping animals in a Zoo is justifiable, and ethical. As an investor in the private Zoos, I am full of expectations that people will visit my animal park. This will be a manifestation that they have embraced my idea of owning a private Zoo. By visiting my private Zoo, visitors will have the benefit of learning the various characteristics of animals found in my Zoo. My park will be a source of information, and entertainment to my visitors. However, this park will have to adhere to the various policies that guide the operations of a Zoo, and animal confinement. Bibliography: Blanchard, P. (2011). Human zoos: the invention of the savage. Arles [France: Acts Suds ;. Bleiman, A., & Eastland, C. (2010). ZooBorns: the newest, cutest animals from the world's zoos and aquariums. New York: Simon & Schuster. Bleiman, A., & Eastland, C. (2012). ZooBorns: the next generation --newer, cuter, more exotic animals from the world's zoos and aquariums. New York: Simon & Schuster. Cochrane, A. (2012). Animal rights without liberation: applied ethics and human obligations. New York: Columbia University Press. Cohen, J. (2010). Almost chimpanzee: searching for what makes us human, in rainforests, labs, sanctuaries, and zoos. New York: Times Books. DeMello, M. (2012). Animals and Society an Introduction to Human-Animal Studies.. New York: Columbia University Press. Fanning, E. (2012). The official museum directory, 2012. New Providence, NJ: National Register Pub.. Friese, C. (2013). Cloning wild life zoos, captivity, and the future of endangered animals. New York: New York University Press. Kleiman, D. G. (2012). Wild mammals in captivity: principles and techniques for zoo management (Second ed.). Southampton: Simon and Schuster. Michael, M. A. (2000). Preserving wildlife: an international perspective. Amherst, N.Y.: Humanity Books. Palmer, C. (2010). Animal ethics in context. New York: Columbia University Press. Parrish, M. M., & Taylor, E. W. (2010). Adult education in cultural institutions: aquariums, libraries, museums, parks, and zoos. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Scherf, B. D. (2000). World watch list for domestic animal diversity (3. ed.). Rome: FAO. Thorsen, L. E. (2013). Animals on display: the creaturely in museums, zoos, and natural history. Oxford: Oxford Publishers. Twine, R. (2010). Animals as biotechnology ethics, sustainability and critical animal studies. London: Earthscan. Read More