We know so much now about animals. We can find information about animals in seconds including live action film footage. We seem to still want to see them up close in person. What are the consequences of this? Animals in factory farming and the public display industry such as zoos, marine parks, circuses, roadside zoos, bullfights and others do not have control over their lives. When you eat, what you eat, when you sleep, where you go, or who your mate is, are not your choices in a lifetime of captivity.
Photo: League Against Cruel Sports
Zoos and the public display industry boast that they educate and promote conservation. The academic journal, Conservation Biology published findings by researchers who surveyed over 2,800 children after their visit to the London Zoo. The majority of the children demonstrated no positive learning outcomes at all. The study included learning outcomes for children who were part of either a guided tour by educational staff from the Zoo and unguided visits. 38% of children demonstrated positive learning outcomes. 62% of the children showed no change in learning or experienced negative learning. This is not the only study made on this subject and the results are typical.
Zoos, animals in tanks and the public display industry overall, tend to focus on entertainment (profit) rather than conservation efforts. Most animals in zoos are not endangered and the ones that are and that could ultimately be released, are not. Captive bred animals are mostly used to create baby animals in order to encourage visitors.
As far as conservation goes, we need to focus on protecting natural habitats for our endangered species, so they have homes to go to rather than exploiting animals in unnatural environments.
Photo: Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles
Heading in the right direction for animals in captivity are circus acts that feature human performers and TV shows and films that are using CGI animals. A major positive change is – after 500 years, Mexico City has banned the cruel ritual of bullfighting. The ban prohibits killing the bull and the use of sharp objects. The legislation also set time limits on how long bulls can be in the ring, The initiative has been dubbed “bullfighting without violence.” Humane World for Animals states that approximately 180,000 bulls are killed in the ring, world-wide every year.
A lifetime in captivity is not a life, especially for a wild animal. Let’s work on empowering ourselves and others to believe that everyone can make a difference for the planet and to take action in a positive and constructive way.
What can you do? Do not support the public display industry. Make your view known to lawmakers, and the amusement parks that you do not advocate cruelty to animals. Support nonprofits such as @dolphin_project who constantly work towards, and have used, sea pens for cetaceans and rehabilitation.
As Dr. Jane Goodall said, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Don’t give up!
May ALL creatures be free and may all who have moved on, experience the freedom that they may have never had.
Addendum: Another imprisoned Orca is dead at SeaWorld. Kamea was the youngest (11 years old) currently at the amusement parks, SeaWorld. She was imprisoned at SeaWorld,
San Antonio, Texas and died of an “undisclosed illness,” on June 19, 2025. Kamea is the 45th
Orca to die at SeaWorld.
See more stories of animals in Animal Culture Magazine. Get it HERE.
ANIMAL CELEBRATION WORKSHOPS
I offer workshops that celebrate animals and nature. If you feel grief from animal loss, my Animal Celebration of Life 2-session workshop helps channel that energy to positive reflection of your emotion. The Journaling for Animals and Nature workshop is a single-session workshop focusing on journaling to channel your emotions to a positive and constructive ideal.