How expert see keeping animals in captivity has vary a lot since the first U.S. zoo open up in Philadelphia in 1859 . elephant in zoo have treble theinfant - mortalityrate of wild elephants , and when 17 elephants were shipped from Swaziland to U.S. zoological garden this twelvemonth , it sparked ananimal - right lawsuit . In2004 , the Detroit Zoo shut out down its elephant programme , sending the last two pachyderms to asylum .
Writing inThe Washington Post , Ron Kagan , the Detroit Zoo ’s executive director , explains that in the next 20 geezerhood , zoo will do more than just offer the world a coup d’oeil of tempestuous creature in humble enclosure . “ Zoos will sure enough bet and pretend radically unlike in 20 years , never mind 50 , ” he writes .
There will be a lot more “ submersion ” spaces , where beast can live in innate infinite that are large enough to accommodate their needs and complex enough to keep them stimulated and happy .
“ They ’ll be fix in climates that are appropriate for the specie , and the exhibits will provide animals with dramatically more opportunity , control , and choices for natural activeness and social interaction , ” he argue . “ The animals ’ needs and desires will be primal , more than the visitors’—just as it is in the natural state . ” A modern “ zootopia ” parkdesign for Denmark , allowing animals to roam freely while masses are confined to small lookout points , might be one build this young , animate being - centric zoo can take .
You in all likelihood wo n’t see any elephants , dolphinfish , or whales in the zoos of the future , though . “ The animals , both individuals and species , that survive in future zoological garden will only be ones that truly prosper and/or that are ‘ rescued ’ from a worse fate , ” according to Kagan . zoological garden will need to invest in preservation and education , rather than flashy exotic animal exhibit that cause the creatures on exhibit “ womb-to-tomb frustration , ” as Kagan key out it . And rescue programs will likely replace some of the breeding program zoo have now , as much as we lovebaby slothsandbaby cheetahs .
Yes , we may have to give up our near - up looks at giraffes and lions and Gorilla gorilla . But the animals will certainly be happier that way , and if zoos swear out any purpose , it should be educating us on how to well keep these animals happy and safe — far from humanity ’s destructive disposition .
[ h / tThe Washington Post ]
Know of something you consider we should track ? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com .
