First of all, animals have to suffer before they even arrive at the zoo. According to Born Free USA,many are captured from their native habitat and smuggled in or legally imported. Traffickers take animals out of their homes and harm them, even though it is illegal. They are using the animals to get money. Born Free USA also stated, Trafficking in rare and exotic wildlife is a global business, worth 0-20 billion (dollars) annually. Trafficking has gotten big and it is not good for the animals. For example, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) wrote, parrots might have their beaks and feet taped and be stuffed into plastic tubes that can be easily hidden in luggage. The parrot could suffocate in the tubes and experience great pain. The pain for the animals starts way before they get to the zoo.
In addition to the pain while getting to the zoo, the animals are uncared for once finally reaching the zoo. PETA wrote
, precious funds that should be used to provide more humane conditions for animals are often squandered on cosmetic improvements- such as landscaping, refreshment stands, and gift shops- in order to draw visitors. The money should be benefitting the animals, by getting nice living spaces, lots of food, and being protected from destructive visitors, since they are the ones attracting customers. PETA also reported that zoo compartments are tiny, filthy, barren enclosures. If the animals have awful living conditions, how will they not be in danger? While talking about zoo animals getting injured in their cells, Christian Draper, a program manager on captive wild animals at Born Free USA stated, responsible facilities would do their best to absolutely minimize these things. However, some are irresponsible and that can lead the animal to becoming injured. The animals are not cared for at zoos, and that greatly affects the animals.