Tees for Animal Lover
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The above YouTube video – which shows the moment a captive orangutan was seemingly bowled over by a magic trick – has gone viral lately, with many commenters remarking that the orangutan’s reaction is “funny” or “cute.” It might be tempting to regard this video as a sweet and harmless example of a human-animal interaction, but the reality is that zoo captivity is anything but cute.
Animals who are placed into captivity do not get to enjoy the close family bonds or friendships that they would experience when in the wild. They can be torn away from their loved ones at any time, on a mere whim of their human handlers. There have also been many documented instances of stereotypic behaviour – stress-induced responses to confinement – among zoo animals. These abnormal, repetitive behaviors – when a captive animal moves from side to side, lashes out in an unpredictable manner, or deliberately injures themselves – are almost never witnessed in their wild counterparts.
So while the orangutan in this video may well be amazed by the magic trick, we’re sure he would be a lot happier were he allowed to live out some semblance of a natural life, instead of being confined to a tiny zoo enclosure.
Christer Lindell
Yes we get it. But could I have a smile just one time without anything attached? Thank you.
God this anti zoo movement is getting old and all those that bandwagon on it. Too many animals are endangered and zoos and sanctuaries play a crucial role in protecting the species . These animals are loved and well cared for , at least in most civilized nations .