Yesterday I wound up at the San Diego Zoo, supposedly one of the best in the world. Truly it was fascinating, an incredibly eclectic array of animals lay within separated into sections according to the habitat they came from. Lining each pathway throughout the zoo are aviaries that hold birds of extraordinary colour and physical composition. Walking through, my mind and imagination were pulsing with wonder at just how beautiful nature could be. But whilst having my mind blow by the developments of nature I simultaneously felt very uncomfortable.
Animals caged for live human entertainment. I saw a beautiful leopard, pacing back and forth in front of me, it's eyes staring narrowly through the pane of glass separating me from being ripped apart. Back and forth. It was obvious this animal was distressed. An elephant standing completely still and rolling it's head from side to side, playing with it's trunk, it's eyes long since glazed over.
I started thinking about zoo animals and more commonly domesticated animals, house hold pets. Many similarities can be drawn. The main difference is that the pet gets more love and attention. Or at least we would expect it to whereas the logistics of running such a large operation with several animals would this extremely difficult.
We're left still with the argument of weather or not it's right to domesticate animals at all. If they receive enough positive physical and mental engagement, I think it can be justified.
I'm aware this post is very underdeveloped in terms of actual moral analysis. But it displays my instant reaction the whole situation.
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