A Postzoo Future: Why Welfare Fails Animals in Zoos

Area of Science:

• Animal Welfare Science
• Ethology
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Current zoo welfare discussions often focus on incremental changes.
• These incremental changes fail to address the fundamental problem of animal captivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a framework for genuine zoo reform.
• To advocate for a paradigm shift in zoo ethics and practices.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of existing zoo practices.
• Proposal of six necessary reforms for ethical zoo futures.

Main Results:

• Incremental welfare improvements are insufficient for animals in captivity.
• Fundamental changes are required for ethical zoo operations.

Conclusions:

• Six key reforms are necessary for a more ethical zoo future: closing inadequate facilities, ceasing exhibition of poorly adapted species, ending euthanasia of healthy animals, halting captive breeding programs, prohibiting inter-zoo animal transfers, and applying animal cognition and emotion science.
• True zoo reform necessitates a complete reevaluation and transformation of the concept of zoos.