Are zoo animals happy in captivity?
Animal caretakers must make sure that animals in captivity receive care that allows them to thrive. If we can’t provide that level of care, then they would better off in the wild.
A. Why shouldn’t they be? Most live longer than their counterparts in the wild, eating better and safe from predators. Zoos have come a long way since their start as private menageries, displaying exotic and dangerous creatures for the amusement of the nobility, says West Chester University psychologist Michael J. Renner. Nowadays education and conservation are the watchwords. Several species exist only in zoos, or became extinct in the wild, then were reintroduced there from zoo stock. For most species, there are recognized behavioral signs if an individual isn’t doing well (i.e., is “unhappy”), such as excessive inactivity or repetitive behaviors like pacing. Agencies that accredit zoos now require them to mind animals’ mental health, and many zoos actually employ “behavioral enrichment” specialists. Ideally, a zoo environment permits natural patterns, such as a leopard chasing prey, an ape climbing, a gazelle galloping. “Treated thus, zoo animals can be persuasive inter- species amb
