The moral issues involved with caging intelligent animals...

[Generations]

The following video contains footage of a chimpanzee at a zoo. This chimpanzee is instructing humans on the other side of the glass on how to remove the bolts that lock his enclosure. I've always been against keeping certain animals in zoos, but this video is pretty solid proof that it's morally wrong. I don't think we should keep any primates in zoos, same goes for dolphins. There is even a video of a polar bear intentionally trying to break his tank with rocks. But the obvious question is, if we start with one species, where does it end? Should there really be zoos at all? They do serve the purpose of conservation and protection, but if these animals can contemplate thoughts on the level portrayed in the video, is it really the right thing to be doing?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdgSegEVqA0

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_IxcqLyDnk

[maskedmaniac]

The second you help that chimp escape he's gonna tear up your face and rip off your wang, leave him be young fella....

[Aesop]

I've always felt no animal should be caged. I also don't think people should be allowed to own "exotic" pets, some animals aren't meant to be pets.

[Day Dreamer]

That polar bear about that life

[Soap]

The second you help that chimp escape he's gonna tear up your face and rip off your wang, leave him be young fella....

Or you can just take him out of the Zoo and bring him to a suitable habitat in the wild...

[JGPLX.]

Zoos are immoral. It is a good thing that they protect and conserve species, but capitivity is wrong and these animals should be in their natural habitat.

[Grenade.]

I agree, down with zoos. If we're that worried about endangered species (which I don't know why we are), we should just have wildlife reservations if anything. Ya know, their natural habitats with room to roam and whatnot.

[Aesop]

Circuses are just as bad or worse though, we need rid of those too.

[M3J]

Zoos are better where poachers are less likely to kill the endangered animals, in my opinion. Or rather, where poachers won't do anything.

 

Plus, most zoos help the economy out while keeping the animals safe. =D

[maskedmaniac]

Certain animals are just as fine at a zoo as they are in their natural habitat, like tortoises, gorillas or other animals that are just hunted or eaten by almost everything else.

[El Imperio]

I agree, down with zoos. If we're that worried about endangered species (which I don't know why we are), we should just have wildlife reservations if anything. Ya know, their natural habitats with room to roam and whatnot.

 

I agree with this. I know pandas are cool and shit, but if nature didn't put them there to survive, well, we've to let them go.

[Cena Hateh']

Moral Issues? Please. If you can teach them reason, you can teach them morals eventually as well. I believe if done right, you can avoid all the unwanted side effects of educating animals.

 

Man I'm really disappointed in mankind. Instead of dealing with (and banning) relevant moral issues such as promiscuity, exploiting partners, friends, etc. Humans tend to switch focus to revolutionary acts such as the mentioned one, colonizing other planets, developing technology further, etc. It's only preventing humans from evolving. And while I believe the humans should evolve prior to the surroundings (morally and spiritually), I think doing nothing about that wont let them reach that level of humanity anytime soon.

[Generations]

I agree, down with zoos. If we're that worried about endangered species (which I don't know why we are), we should just have wildlife reservations if anything. Ya know, their natural habitats with room to roam and whatnot.

 

I agree with this. I know pandas are cool and shit, but if nature didn't put them there to survive, well, we've to let them go.

 

Yeah, except for the fact that we're the ones killing them by deforestation, pollution, etc. Humans never cease to amaze me with their bullshit logic. Perhaps survival of the fittest used to be a logical response in the time of the native Americans, but it isn't anymore.

[Jack The Ripper]

This topic makes me sad.

[Kirky]

No animals should be held captive. It's horrible to see, even if it's in an attraction like a zoo.

[Cranky Vince™]

Who cares about animals? That's all they are- ANIMALS. They don't contribute anything to society. They take up space. I actually once set a raccoon on fire just for the hell of it 'cause I hate animals. All animals should be caged and used as experiments to help better our social value of life. We should chemically experiment on animals so that we can have the right resources to nuke India.

 

Edit: Just my opinion, btw.

[Cena Hateh']

Who cares about animals? That's all they are- ANIMALS. They don't contribute anything to society. They take up space. I actually once set a raccoon on fire just for the hell of it 'cause I hate animals. All animals should be caged and used as experiments to help better our social value of life. We should chemically experiment on animals so that we can have the right resources to nuke India.

 

Edit: Just my opinion, btw.

Thank lord! For a second there I thought I had the same opinion too

 

are you for real or just being a forum heel?

[Nevermore.]

Just animals? We're just animals.

 

Anyway, I think zoos are good for the most part, they're guarenteed food, water, shelter and care. Though I also agree with you.

[Whiterhyno333]

Who cares about animals? That's all they are- ANIMALS. They don't contribute anything to society. They take up space. I actually once set a raccoon on fire just for the hell of it 'cause I hate animals. All animals should be caged and used as experiments to help better our social value of life. We should chemically experiment on animals so that we can have the right resources to nuke India.

 

Edit: Just my opinion, btw.

Thank lord! For a second there I thought I had the same opinion too

 

are you for real or just being a forum heel?

 

He's just a troll that gets pissy when you call him a troll... I had no idea he had changed his name again to CV. He does this all the time and tries to make it ok by saying its just his opinion. Ignore him...

[Londango*]

Who cares about animals? That's all they are- ANIMALS. They don't contribute anything to society. They take up space. I actually once set a raccoon on fire just for the hell of it 'cause I hate animals. All animals should be caged and used as experiments to help better our social value of life. We should chemically experiment on animals so that we can have the right resources to nuke India.

 

Edit: Just my opinion, btw.

Thank lord! For a second there I thought I had the same opinion too

 

are you for real or just being a forum heel?

He's just an unorginal ripoff of the "Cranky Vince" twitter account. The worst kind of troll is the kind of troll who has to copy other trolls in order to make themselves look like a troll.

 

Anyway, Im against animals being kept in zoos. Its basically the animal equivelant to prison. Being stuck in a cage, being fed 2-3 meals a day, and having no freedom.

 

The only difference is, humans are put in prisons for a reason. Animals are put in zoos for no reason at all.

 

And the whole "conservation" thing is bullshit. Zoos are a business. To make money. Zoos charge members of the public to come and gawk and laugh at the zookeepers collection of rare animals. They're nothing more money making items. Animals are best in their natural habitat, and I'm sure if they were given the choice they would never choose to live in a cage in a zoo.

 

Humans need to realise that this isnt their planet. And they have no right to play "God" with other species.

[EDGEHEAD15]

Moral Issues? Please. If you can teach them reason, you can teach them morals eventually as well. I believe if done right, you can avoid all the unwanted side effects of educating animals.

 

Man I'm really disappointed in mankind. Instead of dealing with (and banning) relevant moral issues such as promiscuity, exploiting partners, friends, etc. Humans tend to switch focus to revolutionary acts such as the mentioned one, colonizing other planets, developing technology further, etc. It's only preventing humans from evolving. And while I believe the humans should evolve prior to the surroundings (morally and spiritually), I think doing nothing about that wont let them reach that level of humanity anytime soon.

 

Wait what? How does morality advance us as a race? We are the custodians and influencers of what morality is. We set our own rules on true morality, and pass that psychology down to our kids. How is morality going to eventually save our race from extinction, as compared to colonizing other planets (which we are definitely not focusing on as a species, though we should) and advancing our technology. Besides, it takes millions of years to evolve, and humans have only had the knowledge we currently do for a few thousand.

 

Most zoos contain animals not just for entertainment, but for protection, due to the possibility or eventuality of their extinction. If left to the wild, they will be hunted by both predators and human hunters.

[El Imperio]

I agree, down with zoos. If we're that worried about endangered species (which I don't know why we are), we should just have wildlife reservations if anything. Ya know, their natural habitats with room to roam and whatnot.

 

I agree with this. I know pandas are cool and shit, but if nature didn't put them there to survive, well, we've to let them go.

 

Yeah, except for the fact that we're the ones killing them by deforestation, pollution, etc. Humans never cease to amaze me with their bullshit logic. Perhaps survival of the fittest used to be a logical response in the time of the native Americans, but it isn't anymore.

 

Please tell me how every single species that get near us is getting driven into extinction. You and I know that this ''Save endangered species'' bullshit is just so we humans feel a little less guilty about *censored*ing this world up by doing something that doesn't really help.

 

And another thing, do you think that if. lets say, cockroaches where to extinguish tomorrow, people will give a shit? No, the won't. You know why? because nobody sees a cockroach and says that is cute. What do polar, pandas and most species we are trying to help have in common? most people think they are either cute or cool.

 

Cockroaches? *censored* that man, lets focus in that cool ass polar bear.

[M3J]

Humans are animals too, we're mammals and belong in the group of primates.

 

In any case, as long as the animals get treated well, I don't see what's wrong with zoos. They're getting taken care of, and they're in less danger than outside with poachers and bigger predators.

[Purple Rayne]

In any case, as long as the animals get treated well, I don't see what's wrong with zoos. They're getting taken care of, and they're in less danger than outside with poachers and bigger predators.

 

Would you like someone to take you against your will and lock you up in a contained environment, and not be allowed to leave? I'd hardly think security from some predators and the occasional poachers alone would be worth that price, but even if people do feel that way, that doesn't give us the right to just force that decision upon other animals.

[M3J]

In order to save the species from extinction, that price has to be paid. It's better than letting them die for no reason.

 

I don't like keeping animals caged up either, but it's not like all of them hate the place.