Zoos have outlived their utility

The recent controversy about a politician having infiltrated a tiger's enclosure with a gunner in tow has raised many questions.

One of them is "Have Zoos outlived their utility?"

Three factors have completely changed over the years.

One, a significant part of our wild life has become endangered and many wild animals are now protected. Two, the information revolution has brought many exciting new avenues for multi dimensional learning about our animal kingdom. And three, in the 21st century there is vast awareness about prevalent cruelty and ill treatment of animals and what was legal before is not only illegal today but heavily punishable.

Let us accept it - our Zoos are hell holes for animals. A large section of the visitors to these hell holes are unaware of the sensitivities of poor animals who have been incarcerated in medieval conditions for no reason whatsoever. Such visitors behave abominably and the pitiful caged animals suffer in extreme vulnerability. Most animals are fed poorly and you will frequently read about unnatural deaths of animals in Zoos.

In the enlightened 21st century, let us display the wisdom of the developed human race and abolish the barbarity of imprisoning hapless animals for our entertainment. Let us accept "animal rights" as our responsibility to the entire animal kingdom.

Let us convert Zoos into open havens of nature where animals can roam free as they were created to. And if education has to happen in these open havens, let such education be non intrusive - meaning students watch and learn unobtrusively, without disturbing the natural habitat and the natural environment of the animals. Let us respect the sensitivities of these beautiful creatures who have as much right to the planet Earth as we have.

While we are at this subject, can we also insist that laws relating to animal protection are implemented more vigorously? Can we persuade the Police force to assign a small band of men with exclusive responsibility for prevention of animal cruelty? Can we enforce the law relating to the nose ringing of animals which is reportedly banned and attracts severe penalty?

Courtsey: email from PPI