Research Paper on Uniting to Thwart the Worldwide Extinction Crisis

Introduction

The magnitude and intricacy of the worldwide extinction calamity, prosperous species preservation will necessitate the participation of all stakeholders; federal and state organizations, non-governmental institutions, local groups and reserve managers, wildlife partners, and wildlife directors. These different stakeholders bring exceptional viewpoints, resources, and skills though not all are applicable in every situation. Nevertheless, their contribution is crucial in the quest for better wildlife conservation. Zoos are becoming widely documented as crucial stakeholders for conserving endangered species. Numerous zoos have engaged in species rescue, from the American bison and Panamanian golden from to the California condor and black-footed ferret (Minteer and Collins 42). However, zoo critics argue that zoos ought to be disbanded because they offer a place where animals are mistreated and left to grieve. More precisely, animals have rights and people controlling the zoos are not supposed to use them for their selfish purposes. For example, zoo critics often argue that the management focuses on profits yet the animals may be living in poor conditions. The research paper discusses the value of zoos while considering economic, ethical, and scientific issues surrounding zoos.

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According to Frost, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, through joint studies with other institutions estimates that over 700 million people visit the zoo every year, this accounts to almost 10% of the world's populace (48). There is a huge potential for an instructional footprint to be established by these 1300 prominent organizations on their visitors. The continuous intensification of urbanization across the world is resulting in strain on the global resources and reducing the natural habitat accessible for animal species. In addition, conservation tutoring programs are becoming increasingly crucial to assist people in comprehending the need to sustain and safeguard wild habitat and the valuable biodiversity provided by the earth.

According to Graham (88), there have been numerous books, news articles, and programs publishing negative aspects of the zoos like mistreating the animals. In the past, zoos were mostly used in displaying exotic creatures, entertainment, and research. Nowadays, the role has changed and they mainly focus on promoting education and conservation efforts both in in-situ and ex-situ. Majority of institutions have hired personnel and adopted programs just for the education of their visitors on conversation concerns. One of the most contentious programs that have attracted widespread interest and prominent is the interactive initiative where visitors engage with the animals of the zoos is a dolphin interaction program. In the initiative, people get to swim with the animals, touch and also feed them. Numerous institutions have placed more focus on their educational program as the driving force behind their projects, thus initiating the questions of the validity of the effects of the programs on the visitors.

The value of zoos in species conversation has usually emphasized on species management, especially breeding. For instance, the Conservation Measures Partnership's Action Classification has identified 30 different types of conservation initiatives but explains that zoos are responsible for conservation, communications, and outreach. Giraffes, lions, tigers, and other exotic animals are seldom seen in the wild. Nevertheless, the public can see the animals in zoos without causing harm. Zoos across the world help species that have been threatened by safeguarding and caring for them. In case these animals are left in the wild, they are likely to become extinct due to illegal hunting.

The main objective of the zoo is to safeguard threatened species that are more likely to become extinct if the government fails to adopt the needed measures. In addition, zoos tend to provide a suitable setting and facilities that can assist in animal breeding. Consistent reproduction helps an animal in having younger offspring which safeguards species and increases the prospect for survival. Zoos educate and assist students in comprehending how the ecology works. For example, tourists will understand how animal populations benefit from the wild and the ecology in general. They are also able to ascertain problems that the animals will encounter in case they are exposed to the damaged ecosystem. Zoos also help in educating about ecosystem sustainability (Che-Castaldo, Grow, and Faust 97). Because of the nature of zoos and how their activities are designed, visitors encounter free-choice learning, this is the person is entirely in control of the amount of instructional information they come into contact with.

Species Survival Program

The Species Survival Program (SSP) is one of the most crucial elements of zoos. This program was established in 1981 by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and involves an extensive species management plan that supervises a variety of species populaces within other AZA organizations. The key goal of this program is to oversee populations of certain species in numerous zoos to make sure that the population has the prospects of thriving both in the wild and under the enclosure. Each plan is managed by experts in the Taxon Advisory Groups that guarantee individual animals are paired for breeding with an ideal mate and also enclosed at a facility where they have the biggest opportunity for survival. This is conducted through a multifaceted database of potential mates known as 'Studbook; and using these approaches, they are capable of breeding and transferring each species. The program is huge considering that there are about 500 SSPs in North America and many more across the world like EAZA and WAZA (Goodrowe 317). Through these multi-faceted programs, zoos have been able to save numerous species that were on the verge of extinction.

One of the beneficially of animal conservation is the Arabian Oryx, usually referred to as 'Unicorn of the desert. The animal once lived in the entire Arabian Penisula from Iraq to Syria. The animal was completely wiped out of its natural habitat. However, scientists had predicted the animals' extinction and are currently hosted in Phoenix Zoo in Arizona and London Zoo.

Zoos on Research

AZA and other accreditation agencies usually offer research grants to the zoo so that they can research their enclosed animal populations for the benefit of similar species in the wild. Having access to enclosed animals can be highly advantageous because they do not have to go traipsing in the jungle and other possibly inaccessible regions to find the animal. Thus, zoos provide an easily adjustable condition that can be monitored every time. Some animals are difficult to find in the wild; therefore, an enclosed population is invaluable to scholars because they do not require huge budgets to locate the species they want to study. Some effective research programs found in the zoos entail Leadtherdale International Polar bear Conservation Center situated at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. Studies conducted by zoos across the world helps the researchers to better comprehend the species, plan, and mitigate risks they encounter as well as set up successful captive breeding programs (Kagan, Allard and Carter 60).

Scientific Benefits

Zoos undertake a range of field and zoo-oriented preservation research projects, which are as many as ex situ breeding activities. Biodiversity Tracking and studies help in supporting successful species recovery although they may not be viewed as contributing to conservation. The U.S. zoos are likely to intensify their protection efforts by overseeing more native endangered species. The recovery plans and AZA survey offer an overview of the extent to which zoos contribute to recovering various species. Nevertheless, extra prospects for preservation may be present, as several ESA-listed species have ex situ populaces in zoos that are collaboratively managed. From the 1980s, zoos have interacted in managing the animals in their care through objective setting, exchanging animals across agencies, and collaborative breeding, to advance health (for instance, genetic diversity, demographic viability) of the captive animal populations.

Cooperative management in zoos creates a great deal of species-precise insight on veterinary care, breeding, demography, and behavior, which can facilitate preservation initiatives. For instance, awareness on how to breed species effectively and to care for, as well as rear offspring, may be crucial in helping advance reproduction of endangered animals. The creation of an SSP program illustrates a long-term dedication to the species by numerous AZA agencies, which can be leveraged to facilitate participation and support for wild populations of similar species.

Economic Benefits Surrounding Zoos

According to Robinette, et al. (3), zoos across the nation produce substantial economic welfares locally, regionally, and nationally. Zoos are a crucial economic engine apart from showing commitment to science edification and nature preservation. Zoos create occupations and support local communities. Since there are 212 AZA-recognized zoos in the U.S., they generated $16 billion in 2011. The institution also contributed to $4.7 billion in individual earnings and 142,000 jobs. (Robinette et al. 4) Annual spending by zoos for processes and capital ventures produce substantial economic advantages for their host dominions. These advantages stem from the preliminary expenditures, as they are re-spent within the extent of the economy. Zoo aids accrue and advance the economy's aggregate output as computed by their assistances to the Gross Domestic Product and Gross State Products.

Ethical Issues Surrounding Zoos

In the U.S., all licensed zoos are expected to adhere to an 'ethical review process' that entails ensuring that enclosed animals are permitted to display natural behavior. Nowadays, there is a lot of negative press about Zoos from some prominent organizations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and Captive Animals Society (CAPS). The captivity size is usually cited as one of the main ethical issues surrounding the zoos with PETA explaining that the 'cages and restricted attachments at zoo sections dispossess animals the chance to fulfill their most rudimentary requirements'. AZA's standards for an elephant enclosure stipulate that basic outdoor space for the animal must be about 167 square feet, which is smaller than the penalty section of a football field.

In their natural habitat, elephants can roam 30 miles in a single day but when in an enclosure, they are restricted to small enclosures. The circumstance is made worse for avian animals and species like cheetah which is adapted to running at high speed. While in captivity, they are unable to showcase their instincts to hunt. Another common issue is the handling of animals are merchandise particularly baby animals, which earn high visitor revenue. A natural history documentary known as 'the Cove' unearthed SeaWorld's participation in the purchase of wild dolphins from Taiji, Japan, where an unknown number of dolphins are captured, some served as meals while others are selected for captivity. This has resulted in questions whether there are ethics behind housing huge mammals in enclosures.

Conclusion

Zoos are very beneficial as far as animal species is concerned. Zoos play instructional and protective roles; in spite of establishing an environment that fails to support animal rights. Nevertheless, zoos have benefits and challenges that facilitate the survival of species. Zoos possess non-natural ecology that may be quite diverse from the natural habitat.