Hello comrades. I don't think I've ever posted a particular question on this site but I've been thinking a lot recently about zoos. Specifically should they exist? Are they a good idea to have them while the world is being destroyed by capitalism? Should they exist after the revolution?
Oooh boy let’s get a vegan struggle session going here.
My answer would be yes but what function these “zoos” serve must be so fundamentally altered that they are almost unrecognizable. Not for profit institutions that exist to help mitigate the massive damage done to global biodiversity by the actions of the human race. There are already organizations that do a lot of this work but the necessity for institutions like zoos comes from two issues
1: it does not take much for an animal to become unable to survive in it’s natural habitat. And if we let every animal whose bound to die without any help die in the name of natural selection, we are looking down the barrel of a massive extinction event that is likely inevitable at this point. Anything to mitigate the damage to nonhuman life and help even potentially preserve some percentage of the biodiversity that helps keep our world habitable is worthwhile IMO.
2: There is a real value to the educational and empathetic experience of interacting with animals, particularly for children. This is why pets are good and good for us (another complicated area of vegan ethics). I am of the opinion that the benefit of having human animal interactions as a way to increase empathy and appreciation for the world of non human life outweighs the moral greyness of animal captivity.
When I say that I am referring strictly to animals that have either A. Been domesticated or otherwise evolved to consensually live in captivity or B. Animals that have been injured or socialized incorrectly as a result of human interference. Which, as previously stated, there are always plenty of. And caring for these animals would be one of the primary purposes of any kind of “zoo”. Of course the ethical quandaries don’t end there because fundamentally a wild animal won’t appreciate captivity no matter how unfit they have become for nature. And it’s not easy to have enough space for a place like this while also being in proximity to a large enough population that would make the educational aspects worthwhile. There are some AEZ (actually existing zoos) that do good work and there is so much valuable information to be gained from the animal world that I will always be a firm believer in zoos but it’s complicated and nothing is perfect.
The building empathy part is crucial here: Bringing an animal from the abstract to the real can make a big difference in the minds of ... less naturally empathetic ... people. Often it can be a stepping stone for broader understanding of animal rights.
That being said, the ultimate goal should be abolishment (except maybe for ark purposes?) of zoos.
Glad you see my point cause it is kinda abstract, but I really do believe that educational aspect is important, was for me at least.
I don't think the empathy of visitors should be a factor at all in the preservation of animals. Don't even let people see them, if you want animals to live close to a natural life as possible keep humans out of the picture. At least half of all arable land should be set aside towards conservation, breeding should always be a last resort.