The only thing that zoos teach people is that it is okay to keep animals in captivity, cramped and far from home
KARACHI: Many people are not aware of the cruelty behind the concept of zoos. Captive animals are deprived of everything that is natural to their original habitat and as a result, become lonely and many even suffer from a condition called ‘zoochosis’, in which animals act strangely and hurt themselves out of boredom and frustration. Captive animals do not get to choose their mates and are sometimes artificially inseminated so that their babies can be sold or traded to other zoos. These conditions are enough to drive any living creature insane.
During natural disasters, zoo animals are often left helpless. The mortality rate in Pakistan’s zoos is unacceptably high. When animals die in our zoos, we import replacements as if they were spare parts and the cycle of cruelty continues. The biggest lie that zoo administrations tell people is that by visiting these establishments, people will learn about wild animals, but the only thing that zoos teach people is that it is okay to keep animals in captivity, cramped and far from home. The authorities concerned are sadly turning a blind eye to this deplorable issue.
Sahar Khalid
Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2016.
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