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Orangutan 'Forest Habitat' at Dublin Zoo PA Archive/PA Images

Zoo deaths 'In the wild, gorillas don't eat their own vomit and pull out their hair in frustration'

Even in the best circumstances, it’s impossible for zoos to meet all the unique needs of the various species they hold captive, writes Elisa Allen.

ZOOS BEGAN AS menageries where the rich could see the living exotic “spoils” of wars in foreign lands. Now they’re simply animal prisons.

The justification many zoos give for their existence in the 21st century is that they protect animals and conserve endangered species.

But the recent reports that more than 100 animals have died at Dublin Zoo in a two-year period should serve as an urgent wake-up call and prompt us to re-evaluate the role these institutions play in today’s society.

Among the 109 animals to die at the zoo during the 24-month period were three scimitar-horned oryxes, three Humboldt penguins, a pair of red-tipped mangabeys, two Rothschild’s giraffes, two wild African hunting dogs, an African spurred tortoise, a southern white rhinoceros, and a red panda, all of whom were from endangered or vulnerable species.

Captive-bred animals are rarely released into wild

If ever there were truth to the adage that “zoos put the con in conservation” by trying to hoodwink the public into believing that the salvation of endangered species lies in warehousing these sensitive animals, then surely this is it.

There’s a commonly held misconception that zoos are reintroducing animals into their native habitats. In reality, most zoos have no involvement of any kind with any reintroduction programmes.

This means that captive-bred species that do face extinction – including elephants, polar bears, gorillas, tigers, chimpanzees, and pandas – are rarely, if ever, released back into their natural environments to bolster dwindling populations.

And while zoos spend millions on keeping animals confined, natural habitats are destroyed and animals are killed, as there’s insufficient funding for their protection.

Cages won’t stop extinction

Dublin city stock Niall Carson Niall Carson

When ZSL London Zoo spent £5.3 million on a new gorilla enclosure, the chief consultant to the UN Great Apes Survival Partnership said that he was uneasy at the discrepancy between lavish spending at zoos and the scarcity of resources available for conserving threatened species in the wild:

Five million pounds for three gorillas when national parks are seeing that number killed every day for want of some Land Rovers and trained men and anti-poaching patrols.

The simple fact is that the same amount of money a zoo spends on buying or breeding and housing “exotic” animals could benefit so many more in the wild.

And if Dublin Zoo were serious about helping endangered species, it would ask the public to donate to schemes that target the root causes of extinction and endangerment of animals all over the world – habitat destruction and poaching – because all the cages in the world won’t save animals from becoming extinct.

Diminished existence depresses zoo animals

Captivity takes its toll, and animals in zoos often go insane from the frustration of their diminished existence – while visitors leave without having learned anything meaningful about animals’ natural behaviour, intelligence, or beauty.

There’s nothing dignified or inspiring about seeing depressed, despondent animals.

In the wild, gorillas don’t eat their own vomit and pull out their hair in frustration. Free polar bears don’t pace back and forth constantly on concrete.

Captive animals’ typical forms of neurotic behaviour – such as bar-biting, self-mutilation, pacing, and rocking – are unheard of among their wild relatives. Just as we wouldn’t go to a prison to learn about typical human society, it makes no sense to observe imprisoned animals in order to learn about them.

Wildlife documentaries mean we don’t need to incarcerate animals

Today, we have entire television channels dedicated to showing wildlife documentaries. We no longer have any excuse for keeping intelligent, social animals incarcerated and denying them everything that’s natural and important to them.

Because, at the end of the day, the paying public can go home, but these animals are stuck as living exhibits and crowd-pulling attractions until the day they die in captivity, a world away from where they truly belong.

Elisa Allen is Director of PETA UK.

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    Mute Teegan Maguire
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:04 AM

    Using this fact taken from a freedom of information request from Dublin Zoo without contextualising it by looking at cause of death, age of animals etc, is unbalanced.
    Absolutely, there are sometimes examples of zoos that do not look after their animals well but I do not think it’s fair to Dublin Zoo or the lovely people that work there to tarnish them with a very broad brush not backed up with much information.
    Just because a Zoo in UK had to shut down because they were not properly looking after their animals does not mean it’s time for us to bash all zoos.

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    Mute Lad
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:53 AM

    How does that justify keeping an animal in a cage for financial gain when they’re not endangered or extinct? Zoos are a very outdated idea with that people can’t let go of. If an organisation was genuinely trying to tackle extinction, then there would be reintroduction programs in place, otherwise they’re having no affect on the issue.

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:02 PM

    I think it should be pointed out that gorillas suffer from an array of mental health problems in the wild as well and this is well documented, in fact most primates do. It’s not unique to humans. They are just like humans. I’m not saying this makes it acceptable to keep them in cages just sick of nonsense with agenda journalism that simply lie

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    Mute John B
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    Mar 14th 2017, 12:59 PM

    This article is so pointless. Many of he animals that live in Dublin zoo are actually small animals which only live a few years anyway. With regards to the bigger animals, no info is given in their age at death compared to the wild. I suspect I know the reason for this. I suspect PETA are not putting the full details because likely the animals lived the same age or longer than in the wild and it probably wouldn’t fit in with their preconceived aims.

    Once animals are treated humanely then zoos are a great benefit to society. I’m pretty confident that visits to the zoo probably inspire people to be more caring to animals and suspect some then go on to take in interest in animal welfare.

    37
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    Mute Little Diddy No
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    Mar 14th 2017, 1:02 PM

    @Teegan Maguire: All zoos are cruel and try to spin the reasons why they exist – which is mostly so they can continue and not shut down. Only a tiny number of the animals in Dublin Zoo are endangered. They do not return endangered animals to the wild. They do not fund such work. The animals are living an unnatural, miserable life so we can come and gawk at them without the bother of tracking them in the wild in their native countries.

    Nobody who loves animals can support zoos.

    18
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    Mute njh
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    Mar 15th 2017, 1:18 PM

    @Lad: why is life any different for humans? Modern society, compulsory education and a demand to work to provide food & shelter could be deemed to be a “cage” for some. We are forced there for the financial gain of others (government and taxation) and away from our original habitat (in the wild with no clothes). We have evolved and so have these animal. Most were born in captivity and last time I was in Dublin Zoo the set up was pretty slick. Better than being in the jungle with some lion trying to rip your arse off or some poacher taking shots.

    3
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    Mute George Roche
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    Mar 14th 2017, 6:46 AM

    What is PETA’s stance on Halal slaughter, and are they planning to become more vocally critical of the practice?

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    Mute Katie
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:15 AM

    I’m pretty certain they are vocal enough on it as it is..

    47
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    Mute Dennis Laffey
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:29 AM

    Didn’t think I’d come across a “but Muslims…” reply in a story about zoo animals. Gotta admire the perseverance.

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    Mute Jamie Brogan
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    Mar 14th 2017, 4:27 PM

    @George Roche: Wow, you somehow managed to work a comment about Muslims into an article about Zoos. That is impressive.

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    Mute Ronan Fitzgerald
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    Mar 16th 2017, 9:58 AM

    @George Roche: PETA are a deeply hypocritical organisation. Between funding ALT terror attack and senior members taking insulin for their own health, while railing against it for other etc. http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2007/11/peta-hypocrisy.html

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    Mute Celtic_Horizon
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:13 AM

    Some of these animals are extinct in the wild and if not for zoo’s they would be gone. I was at Dublin zoo sunday and it is far better place than it was 30 years ago they have done great work much bigger enclosures more private for the animals. Maybe when governments start rebuilding there habitats they can close but for moment they provide a service that conserves nature’s future

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    Mute Little Diddy No
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    Mar 14th 2017, 1:04 PM

    @Celtic_Horizon: Only a tiny minority of the animals in Dublin Zoo are threatened in the wild. Dublin Zoo do not breed animals to return to the wild, nor do they support such projects. It is well documented that animals suffer in zoos. What might seem a slightly bigger enclosure to you is a barren small space to an animal who might roam for many miles every day (such as elephants).

    Zoos are NOT conserving nature’s future – projects in countries where the animals live that breed them to return to the wild, help them, protect their habitat are doing that.

    21
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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:03 AM

    Yeah that’s not how it works… the zoo is a place of engagement, that gets people and particularly children interested and invested in animals and saving habitats and endangered species.

    A good zoo isn’t meant to physically breed and reintroduce animals to the wild. It’s meant to get people to see the animals first hand, learn about them and care about saving them.

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    Mute Joe Harbison
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:06 AM

    Does anybody take PETA seriously anymore? A mountain gorilla in captivity lives about 10-15 years longer on average than natural lifespan of one in the wild. And currently wild gorillas are hurtling to extinction because of Ebola infection, habitat destruction and the bushmeat trade. PETA kill thousands of animals every year despite their multi-million dollar budget. Still we have to put up with self righteous lecturing like that above from people unable to see the plank in their own eye. PETA don’t like zoo’s but they also don’t like pets, cow’s milk or even Pokemon.

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    Mute Rob Hall
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:23 AM

    That gorilla might live longer but in what mental state?

    67
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    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:20 PM

    @Rob Hall: I’ve been chronically depressed for years, now – but hey, I’m still here… Should I be dead in a damp forest somewhere?

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    Mute Pounamustone
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:48 AM

    Finally somebody telling it like it is. Elephants, lions, giraffes etc. Should not be living in Dublin city no matter how “generous ” their enclosures are!

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    Mute cholly appleseed
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    Mar 14th 2017, 9:51 AM

    I disagree. If a zoo creates and inspires children to take an interest in wildlife then it’s worth it

    27
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    Mute Porter Páidí
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    Mar 14th 2017, 5:20 PM

    I don’t think it’s an African elephant or giraffes life duty to inspire little Johnny from Drumcondra for a Saturday afternoon.

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    Mute Pounamustone
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    Mar 14th 2017, 6:35 PM

    I think they would get more inspiration from watching them in their natural habitats rather than in amongst the sweet wrappers, candyfloss and chimney stacks of urban Dublin.

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Mar 14th 2017, 9:09 PM

    @cholly appleseed: Not all interest is a healthy or worthwhile interest. Most children see enclosed animals as something to be gawked at and consider it fine to tease or provoke them for their entertainment.

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    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:22 PM

    @Rochelle: Children also do that to each other. Maybe we should close schools, seeing as how humans aren’t endangered, and all…

    4
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    Mute Derek Hatchell
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    Mar 14th 2017, 6:44 AM

    Couldnt agree more but when theres money to be made governments couldnt give a toss ! It must be so depressing been locked up and stared at 24/7 and then one of em flips or attacks a human they are put down ! And a lot of these are taken from their mothers when young to be “look after” in a zoo ! It really is a cruel cruel world we live in and we only really know a third of whats going on i reckon ! And then to be so hypocritical, i brought my kids to the god damn Zoo last yr ! !

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    Mute Little Diddy No
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    Mar 14th 2017, 1:06 PM

    @Derek Hatchell: It’s simply a business and about time people realised it. The number of animals that are actually put down every year in zoos across Europe (surplus to requirements) is a shameful secret.

    Do not support such a cruel enterprise as a zoo, if you love animals.

    17
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    Mute kiko.trekker
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    Mar 14th 2017, 7:56 AM

    A zoo is a zoo! Regardless of the top level care people give to these animals, the zoo will still be a place where it LOCKS up animals for study, conservation, or display to the public. I do not think these animals survived these long for such purpose. It’s the constant meddling of people that drives mass animal extinction. If more effort was put into conserving their natural habitat and less human interaction, I think these animals would be in a better state.

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    Mute Carol Anne Carr
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    Mar 14th 2017, 9:02 AM

    Dublin zoo is great. It’s the best zoo. Great people.

    33
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    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:23 PM

    @Carol Anne Carr: The other zoos are FAKE ZOOS!

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:22 AM

    A lot of this article is wrong, I often visit the zoo and the biting bars and rocking back and forth just isnt happening. Maybe it used to before they spent millions doing the place up, but not anymore. They hold fundraisers for wildlife projects too, so the idea that they do nothing for conservation is misleading. I agree that its shocking that a large number of animals died, but what age were they and what age do they live to in the wild? Theres no context or detailed information in this article, its just someone expressing their feelings. Oh, and animal reintroductions do happen. Oryx used to be extinct in the wild but were reintroduced in Saudi Aradia, same with mexican wolves in the US. Its a bit ironic that we give out about zoos when our own countries wildlife is next to non existant. We’ve wiped out practically everything here and when someone tries to reintroduce some eagles people go out of their way to try and poison them.

    35
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    Mute Jennifer White
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    Mar 14th 2017, 9:08 AM

    Zoos are institutions that are first and foremost driven by profit, and they can only exist as long as people pay to visit them. Dublin zoo should retire all animals to an accredited sanctuary where they can live out some semblance of a natural life!

    28
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    Mute 8bitplebian
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    Mar 14th 2017, 8:12 AM

    When the zoo let’s kids fly Into the ape confine… That’s Harambe. When the sniper takes aim and the parents get blamed… That’s Harambe.

    17
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    Mute Grainne Gillespie
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    Mar 15th 2017, 4:16 PM

    @8bitplebian: And when a moron puts their kid into the rhino enclosure that happens in Dublin zoo

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    Mute Andrew Byrne
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:36 AM

    “There’s a commonly held misconception that zoos are reintroducing animals into their native habitats. In reality, most zoos have no involvement of any kind with any reintroduction programmes.” That’s absolute rubbish, i don’t know anyone who thinks that Zoos release zoo bred animals into the wild. No way is that a “commonly held misconception”.

    17
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    Mute Donnchadh Cassin
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:27 AM

    If they can spend that kinda money on a enclosure for them but cant fund the same say amount to help protect and them in thier natural environment I dont see the point in trying to keep their spieces from extinction.
    If the spent on zoos was actually spent in protecting them we wouldn’t need to be having this conversation. The money it costs to run a zoo wouldn’t be a fraction of what it would be to protect them. Just a guess by the way.

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    Mute Derek Hatchell
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:08 AM

    Agree totally but theres no profit to be made from it so i reckon therein lies the answer !

    12
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    Mute Watcher-on-the-Wall
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:25 PM

    @Donnchadh Cassin: Do you honestly think that spending that money in, say, Uganda, would help a single animal? Other than a greedy human, I mean…

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    Mute Mary Fitzsimons
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    Mar 14th 2017, 9:05 AM

    How many of the great apes are only semi fly peaceful and gentle because they are on anti depressants and other psychoactives. Common practice I believe. Watch their behaviour.

    13
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    Mute AMKavanagh
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    Mar 14th 2017, 10:30 AM

    All Zoos should have a mission to end wild animal captivity. They should evolve into parks for native species, flora & fauna. There should be no breeding of captive animals allowed. All governments need to support funding for protection of animal habitats and wild spaces.. Irish government recently closed rather than reformed the Department of the Environment

    9
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    Mute Stephen Browner
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    Mar 14th 2017, 5:17 PM

    In 50 years time the only place you will find exotic wild animals (lions/ elephant/ zebras etc.) will be in zoos.

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    Mute TheJeff
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:02 AM

    In the wild, gorillas are almost extinct !…

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    Mute The Grand O'Malley
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    Mar 14th 2017, 11:34 AM

    My local zoo is serving African spurred tortoise salad as the lunch special.

    The waiter is a giraffe in a tuxedo! It’s so fetch

    3
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