The Evolution of Zoos

Zoos have changed dramatically over the years. Zoos were originally established for the sake of recreation, petting, education, and research. When zoos first opened their doors, they were viewed as terrifying areas people found animals held for fun and enjoyment, to maintain control and provide access to nature to the animals. All of the wild animals were put in cages made up of concrete floors and bars customized to the animal’s size. Further, the number of plants available for the wild animals was limited (Kazeev et al., 2018). Besides, the external environment did not represent a natural environment well. Due to the restricted space surrounding the cages, animals were becoming increasingly anxious. Things have drastically changed in the current world since zoos are viewed as a good place for fun with families and friends. Besides, the cages are now large allowing the animals to play as well as rest more freely than they did previously. The cages are constructed in a manner that the animals are close to the natural environment in which they used to reside.

Additionally, animals’ food is kept away from them to allow them to exercise their skills and abilities in hunting when they become restless. Currently, zoos are constructed more for the purpose of increasing public safety than for the comfort of the animals. Zoos have been transformed into endangered species conservation centers as a result of this. The role of keeping animals in captivity was discovered to be unethical. As a result, zoos began to transform into conservation centers to support the zoos’ expansion (Grüneberge, 2018). In addition, zoos have been transformed into learning institutions, serving as repositories of natural history for both present and future visitors.

Economic Pressures Faced by Zoos

Natural land is progressively becoming a scarce resource as the population in the world continues to expand, hitting strains on the accessible places for zoos and other animal habitats (Saikim, 2018). Individuals continue to encroach lands that were originally preserved for the purpose of establishing zoos, resulting in a reduction in the available area, resulting in a reduction in the overall number of species in the zoos as a result of a lack of available space. In addition, the progressing number of persons in the world is establishing strain on the available resources, which impacts conservation efforts in the process. This has resulted in the prioritization of entertainment interests above environmental concerns.

Criteria for Getting into the Endangered Species List

The following criteria decide the inclusion of species in the endangered species list: current or threatened extinction, overconsumption for commercial, recreational, educational, or scientific drives (Grüneberge, 2018). Moreover, they are put on the endangered list upon the absence of operating mechanisms; and any other natural or man-made factors threatening the animal’s continued existence are all considered.

Elephant Ethogram

Change in Perception After Watching from the Webcam

My perception about animals changed after watching the zoo through the webcam. I was able to see the animal closely and study its behaviors. I could see how the elephant was aimlessly playing and interacting with the external environment, especially younger elephants.

Positive Influence of Technology on people’s feelings toward wildlife and conservation

Technology has aided in an improved wildlife database and thus reinforces the visualization and monitoring of the distribution of its population, management, and planning, preferences, and habit use as well as conservation programs management—moreover, the remote monitoring of animal’s aids in detection natural distress and harm.