Through the Glass: An Essay

I'll start off telling you one thing- animals of any kind do not and never will deserve to be confined, whether it be educational, entertaining, or anything. Even if the facilitator provides exceptional care, animals are animals, free to be free and lead thier own lives. I know that many zoos and marine parks take adequate care of thier animals although they can never reproduce life in the wild. It's a burden to even have to know there are beautiful animals caged, away from thier homes. I grieve for the animals born into the life of captivity, never to experience the rush of clean ocean water against thier skin, or cool mountain air in thier fur.
We have so much to learn about wildlife and it's just the point- we have much to learn about wildlife, not captive life. Sure, the captive animals are the same species and are physically the same as thier wild brothers and sisters, but they can't possibly exhibit all the characteristics that free members of thier species have- such as true echolocation and pod structure in ceteceans, true pack formation and hunting in wolves, endurance in cheetahs, and many others just to name a few. And to put them through silly performances and exhibitions to attract visitors and therefore money, it's greed, not education. I know this view might upset some readers but everyone needs to take both sides into consideration- I have and I choose to speak on the voiceless' behalf, the animals, the prisioners.
I'm sure in some parks the creatures recieve care that keeps them healthy. I'm sure in some parks they do teach visitors about the animals. I'm sure in some parks they are into the conservation effort. I'm also sure in some parks they are not. The animals who reside in these lower than standard parks are very unfortunate. Though every single animal kept in confinement is deep in a similar predicament- they are captive. They are not living the life they deserve.
Human entertainment should be sacrificed if only for the sake and well being of our animal family. Conservation and education can be done in the natural habitat and eco-tourism is a booming and profitable buisuness. It would make as much profit if not more as zoos and marine parks.
To respect a species, you do not take its memebers and confine them. Zoos and marine parks claim they want to teach respect for nature and to appreciate animals, though if you respect and appreciate the animals, why are they penned up for this very reason? It saddens and disgusts me that humans can be so cruel as to -literally- deprive so many beautiful animals of thier long lives. Orcas, for instance; females can live to 80+years in the wild, males 50+. To see a captive Orca older than 30 is rare. Many calves are stillborn or do not survive a year or two. Even with adequate care and loving caretakers, animals such as these still die young. Take Athena for example at Marineland Ontario. She was a beautiful and healthy young calf when I saw her 3 years ago. This spring she died at the tender age of four. Four years old. She had caring trainers and no stress from performing, she had many loving fans interact with her and play with her. She had tankmates to care for her. Yet she still passed away young. This is only one example. (And please, do not start commenting on Athena or any particular cases; she was just the animal I chose to set an example. An d did I not say she had loving trainers and was cared for? So please do not flame here.)Other animals have been ill or stressed from natural causes or life in captivity, leading to thier demise. No matter how well people care for the captive animals in parks all around the world, they will never experience what it is like to truly be wild. This is the ultimate downfall of captivity.
Believe me, if these animals were wild and we were learning about them, fostering relationships with them, conserving them, but at the same time leaving them to be where they belong, I would not have a problem with it.
I do understand that going to a zoo or marine park might be the only chance some people will ever have to see a living animal, but you don't learn anything more (if not less) at a zoo than in a book or documentary. I believe people can still conjure the same respect and love towards wildlife without supporting keeping them captive so we humans can come stare at them.
(Another example, please no flaming) Sea World is all about the show. Their Orcas are the star attraction, flipping about day and night in performances to loud music and cheering crowds. I understand this is a fun experience but it certainly does not show the animals as what they really are. These are natural behaviours but not in the way they are done in the wild. I've had the chance to see the wild Orcas; I was lucky to see even one breach (although we saw 5) and the other behaviours used in Sea World shows. Plus, riding on the backs of Orcas is certainly NOT respect. It's just a big act, a circius. And they really are slaves to entertainment, being bred to keep the show alive. "The show must go on"...but it can be carried out in the wild, whale watching is just as popular as marine parks. There are hundreds of oppurtunities to see wild animals world over.
Just think twice before visiting a facility that keeps animals. Put yourselves in thier position. Think if you could never leave your own house. Even if you had maids tending to all your needs, and all the video games and friends you could imagine...would it truly be worth being confined? Watching people outside your windows, playing and having fun, running around, while you only have the space between the four walls of your house. Certainly not the same, no?
I'll leave you on this note: YOU get to go home at night. THEY don't.

Just think about what they are having to sacrafice for your own entertainment.
Just think about the ethics of it all.
Then decide to support freedom or confinement.

It's your choice.