Sam Dunaway | News Editor

Oftentimes, zoos and aquariums are perceived as businesses that capture and exploit animals for personal gain. But if you look closer into the actions taken by these institutions, you will find that zoos and aquariums can be extremely beneficial in their conservation efforts and public education, as well as providing excellent care to their animals.

First of all, it should be emphasized that not all zoos are created equal. Yes, there are zoos that have very little credibility and low standards of animal care. But these aren’t the zoos I’m focusing on right now. The institutions that I’m talking about are the 214 zoos and aquariums across the United States that have an accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This accreditation means that the institution provides top quality animal care, emphasizes education, and funds conservation and research efforts to benefit wild species.

When you walk into a zoo or aquarium, a large percentage of the animals you see can’t be released into the wild. Whether it be that they were born under human care, imprinted on humans, have injuries or don’t have the necessary survival skills to succeed in the wild, they are deemed by the federal government as non-releasable. They are animals that need a permanent place to call home. Many people think that the animals are ripped from the wild to be put into a cage, but the majority of the time, that isn’t the case.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums requires a high level of animal care for their accredited institutions. Every single detail including the quality of the water, the amount of shade available for the animals, and the physical groupings of the animals are monitored. Medical records for every single animal are maintained and they receive regular veterinary check-ups. In addition, animals are given daily mental stimulation in the form of enrichment. This can include direct training with a keeper, physical objects for the animal to interact with, or stimulating the other senses with music or essential oils. The behavior of the animals is monitored to ensure that they’re not stressed out, fatigued, or aggressive.

On a personal note, I worked at an AZA accredited institution, and the lengths staff would go to ensure the well-being of the animals was incredible. If a fish dropped out of a food bucket onto the floor, it was unusable because it could’ve accumulated bacteria. The social hierarchy of the animals was constantly being monitored and the grouping of the animals changed to reduce stress. Animals in the touch-tank are at a constant rotation to ensure that the experience isn’t what you see in “Finding Dory.” I’ve never seen so much work and passion be put into the well-being of an animal.

In addition, zoos and aquariums put money into helping wild species. According to the AZA website, $216 million is put into conservation projects every single year. There are currently 115 reintroduction programs, and more than 40 of these are for threatened or endangered species. Animals such as the Arabian Oryx, the California Condor, the Bellinger River Turtle, and the Amur Leopard were saved from extinction by zoos and aquariums.

And lastly, one of the most important things zoos and aquariums provide is education. Without education and awareness, the decline of animal species around the globe will continue. Even if you don’t watch a presentation or read the signage, meaningful connections you have with the animals and the zoo itself can transform into positive changes. It can encourage kids to have more empathy towards the animals and people around them. It can encourage adults to invest in that reusable water bottle that they haven’t purchased yet. An AZA study found that 54 percent of individuals surveyed commented on their increased awareness of the role that they play in conservation after visiting an AZA facility. Knowledge and awareness lead to positive change.

It’s unlikely that I’m going to change every opinion you have about zoos and aquariums in this article. But if you are concerned about animal welfare, there are a number of ways that you can help. Volunteer at Chintimini Wildlife Center, a wildlife rehabilitation facility just outside of Corvallis. Join the Green Team on campus and get involved in sustainable changes at Western. Buy a few reusable shopping bags instead of using plastic or paper ones. The same goes with reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and even metal straws. There are several ways that you can make a positive change in the environment if you are concerned about animal welfare.

Visit aza.org to learn more about the impact of zoos and aquariums.

Contact the author at sedunaway13@wou.edu