Tees for Animal Lover
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How many times have we seen videos of animals in captivity, playing with humans on the other side of the glass and thought – wow, that’s so cute! There’s something pretty incredible about seeing a wild animal interact with a human, even if that interaction is only made possible by the safety of some really, really thick plexiglass. Just take this video of a baboon reacting to a magic trick. Seeing the face on this monkey’s face is sure to make you laugh out loud. It’s easy to see these videos, laugh and share them with all our friends … but what’s less easy to do is zoom out for a second and evaluate the circumstances that lead this interaction to be.
Let’s take this baboon for example. It seems pretty clear that the baboon is amazed by the card trick in front of him and reacts in a surprised manner, but leading primatologist Frans de Waal, interprets the reaction to more likely be the monkeys response to eye contact from the magician and the hand gestures right in front of his face, something these animals “really do not like.”
The fact is, this baboon is living in an artificial enclosure, he was likely taken from the wild as an infant and forced into this life behind glass walls. Before the magician advances towards the baboon, his body language appears rather bored, unsurprising considering the intelligence of these animals. It is not unusual for captive primates to experience zoochosis in captivity, a type of mental illness thought to be caused by their inability to express natural behaviors.
Many zoos claim that they play a vital role in species conservation by educating visitors and inspiring them to protect wild animals. Sadly, this is rarely the case – and as this video shows, zoos are typically more effective in perpetuating the idea that wild animals can and should be used for our own entertainment, serving little value to us in their natural habitat.
Instead of profiting from holding animals captive to entertain visitors, zoos focused on Conservation should focus their efforts on protecting vital habitats and preserving animals in their natural homes … not building large, extravagant enclosures that make it easier for guests to view animals.
We can all help ensure a better life for animals by boycotting zoos and other facilities that hold them captive. If you’re looking for some other ways to experience and learn about animals, check out these resources:
- Top 5 Conservation Programs that Help Kids Connect With Animals and Nature
- Camp Kindness Teaches Kids to be Compassionate Role Models for Other Kids and Adults Alike
- How We’re Empowering Kids to Help Protect Snow Leopards in Nepal
- Why We Need to Teach Kids That Exotic Animals Are Not Pets or Toys
You have to be pretty ignorant not to see that the monkey is angered at the person in his face, it’s not liking the card trick. Sheesh.