BIG CATS: BIG ISSUES
Big cats – lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs – are classified from ‘near threatened’ and ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’, and Born Free is working hard to keep them safe in the wild, where they belong. But countless thousands of big cats are exploited in captivity, which can lead to terrible suffering, as exposed in the Red Flag reports you send to Born Free.
In captivity, the space provided, social interactions, diet, climate, and proximity of humans are a far cry from the lives these species have evolved to lead in the wild and the damaging effects on individual captive animals can be huge. A common report we receive from the public is the relentless pacing back and forth of big cats in zoos. These repetitive, stereotypic behaviours are often justified by zoos, saying the animals are excitedly awaiting their next meal. Or, perhaps, the close proximity of a children’s play area is causing agitation. But, the sight of animals placing the same foot in the exact same footprint, following the same set path, over and over again is simply not natural.
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The lack of enrichment in enclosures is another cause for concern. Big cats often spend a lot of time sleeping in the wild, as do those in captivity, but their waking hours are filled with hunting prey, defending territories, socialising with families (in naturally social species), or finding a mate (of their own choosing). Take this away and they literally have nothing to do.
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And it’s not just keeping big cats captive in the name of ‘conservation’ that is a concern. Their exploitation is widespread. You’ve witnessed captive lions and tigers performing in circus-style shows, forced to jump through flaming hoops or coerced onto a podium. You’ve seen jaguar cubs used as props for souvenir photos and cheetah and lions used for ‘walk-with’ activities and encounter sessions. These close-contact activities can have serious animal welfare implications and pose real risks to both animal and public health and safety. In the last 10 years alone, there have been at least 17 incidents where captive big cats have attacked people taking part in such interaction activities.
Your reports continue to provide vital evidence about big cats in captivity.
Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY
