Today I came across an article about a proposed animal rights law targeting zoos. In the draft law zoos would get a ban on the acquisition and breeding of non-native species and have to replace them with native species after death or transfer to turn them into sanctuaries for native species. Spain's animal rights bill targets zoos and pet shops but not bullfighting This is an incredibly harsh and far-reaching proposal, and I would like to know if anyone has any information of the chances of this actually happening. If this would indeed be implemented this would likely mean the end for many Spanish zoos. And it would likely also serve as a precedent for similar laws in other countries, possibly threatening the future of zoos in all of Europe. Reading things like this I am unfortunately really starting to believe that zoos are in the final chapter of their history, and might well not be around for too much longer.
Ok so looking through the bill it’s not the best bill and there’d be a huge hassle relocating lots of animals from zoos. While breeding native Spanish fauna for conservation is needed, from what I’ve seen it’s been going well as of now, with Iberian Lynx being a great example. I dearly hope the bill doesn’t pass as it’d cause lots of trouble for zoos and pet shops. I would however definitely support a bullfighting ban though.
A bit of a sad thing is that the two views most mainstream politicians have when it comes to zoos is either from the zoological authorities themselves, or the far-anti zoo activists. Hence, politicians tend to pander to their side of choosing. There is rarely any 'centre-ground' [say activists not totally averse to zoos as a whole, or zoos in relative restriction as so that only accredited zoos can succeed], even if most of the affiliated anti-zoo organisations have rarely done anything to actually help an animal. If anything, I think it would be good as so that zoos condensed into 'specialist facilities' - as to get rid of the notion that all cities need a giraffe or a gorilla as part of their structure, but in the meanwhile not totally dismantling zoos. But of course, this central perspective is rarely shown amidst two extremes. And this is particularly miserable when a bill set out assumably with the intention of protection of animals, and seemingly ignores bullfighting, a cruel sport that thrives off the killing of unassuming bulls. The bill also doesn't define what it means by 'animal abuse' - presumably this refers to the abuse in zoos [and pet shops]? If bullfighting is not what one would consider 'animal abuse', I do not know what is. But apparently bullfighting is still under 'mainstream debate' as to its abusive nature, but this debate is closed for animals in zoos and pet-shops?
The article does state however that exceptions to the "no-exotics" rule are possible when the zoo has "a captive breeding agreement in place to reintroduce animals to the wild". Quite likely that would be the EEP/ESB programs, and in that case EAZA zoos would still have access to a several non-native species. The biggest issue I have with this proposal is that apparently the zoos themselves were not consulted. Creating legislation without any contact at all with the stake holders or the industry it will affect is bad practice in my opinion.
I can´t imagine for example Loro Parque ceasing its existence. What would happen to all their specialised parrot breeding programs? Is everybody going mad in Europe recently?
We’d loose more than just the parrots in LP sadly: Beluga breeding in Europe would have to be relocated elsewhere as the only holder is Oceanografic. Adelie and chinstrap penguins would have to be relocated too, as the only holders are in Spain. The Loro Parque Orcas would have to be relocated, probably back to the us judging the current cetacean situation in the only other European orca holder, which is in France. Tomistoma ESB and Northern talapoin EEP might need to be relocated from Bioparc Fuengirola The large elephant herd at Cabarceno (which I believe housed the African elephant EEP for quite a few years) would need to be shipped out. Barcelona’s only (and Europe’s only) Amazon Jaguar would have to be relocated. so while loro parque will take a massive blow from the bill (if it ever happens) lots more will also be at stake.
IN Mexico a similar legal proposal was defeated a few weeks ago. Some actions can be done. Sign petions to defend zoos and wildlife conservation programs they have, Contact vetenarians and biologists whose work will be affected by such irrational legislation. Organize demonstrations and public forums against such laws. Time to act, amigos y amigas.
Zoos need to be more proactive and less self-apologizing presenting that they not only do conservation, but are supported by about 90% of people. There are some politicians who think that it would be a good publicity to 'care about animals' and propose the complete opposite - a deeply unpopular bill. They need to be shamed and corrected. By the way, some weeks ago there was a local referendum in the Basel canton, Switzerland, to recognize human rights for apes. It was rejected by the voting people by wide margin. Among others, people pointed that the Basel canton has nothing to do with apes. Which shows that activist tactics is to prey on the uninformed to get publicity and support.
France I believe was looking into passing a ban on fur farms and dolphinariums, so it isn’t necessarily unique to Spain unfortunately.
Not just Europe, even the USA recently with the Lacey Act stuff. We are seeing the animal rights stuff penetrating further and further every year, in many countries. I think the writing is very much on the wall for the future of zoos. I am starting to think our hobby will likely end in 10 to maximum 15 years, and we might even imprisonment or violence against us for it at some point.
We must prove that zoos are essential to a comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy (and explain it to the policymakers and politicians), especially if we think to the least developed countries that haven't the budgets for conservation, if not any efficient public administrations : I think, for example, to most nations of Sub-saharian Africa. These issues aren't at all taken in consideration by anti-zoo activists.
I must share a short story about conservation and zoos. It may only reflect the situation of my country. For a few years I run a blog (in French, my native language) about successes and positive news about wildlife conservation, it's important to note it. I publish many articles. Most of them are sourced from websites and papers in English, that could be partly understandable as English is the "international" language (but it doesn't explain the comparative weakness of the French-speaking sources, assuming that French remains the official language of tens of countries). Among the (quite) few sources I have in French language, I guess that half of them are focused on in situ and ex situ projects ran by zoos, without selectioning especially the pro-zoo media. There's no need to explain further the implication of zoos in conservation in my country (and, comparatively, the blatant inexistence of any involvement of anti-zoo activists in any real conservation enterprise).
Not only EEP/ESB, I think there are more exceptions for public awareness program, husbandry techniques, and some more. I mean, at least when I checked the draft of this law in October zoos were almost excluded from its provisions. Maybe the law suffered some changes for the worst since then, we'll see once it reaches the Parliament (and then it could be changed again before approval). The minister's words in the OP link are very worrisome, that's for sure. I hope they are just her personal desire or political propaganda, I fear I am wrong. For the moment the Spanish press hasn't published almost anything about how this law handles zoos, they are focusing on pets (which are the real objective of the bill).
Lots of people see zoos as animal prisons. They don’t take into account successful breeding programmes of endangered species and education of youth to environmental destruction
I recall I found one thing quite interesting with anti-zoo resources - quite a lot of them seemed to regurgitate information about how animals were apparently locked out on public display, or that captures from the wild were still very common. As if none of the curators of such resources had .. actually made contact with a person of position at a zoo to contact them about reliable information concerning how zoos actually get their animals .. or what the zoo's policy is with housing and why that is .. though of course it's all the harder to pedal an anti-zoo message if you do bring up co-ordinated breeding programmes and such !
Can we split the topic with another new thread about the anti-zoo activism, when the posts aren't linked to the Spanish legislation on captive animals please ?
