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there would have not have been that many animals left in the world if zoos would not have been made

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ZOOs are beneficial and my evidence is everything we said.

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So like I said before zoos saved tons of animals.

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Up to 48 bird and mammal extinctions have been prevented by conservation efforts since a global agreement to protect biodiversity, according to a new study.

The Iberian lynx, California condor and pygmy hog are among animals that would have disappeared without reintroduction programmes, zoo-based conservation and formal legal protections since 1993,

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look at the plastic straws they are hurting the ocean

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Yes, the last known Tasmanian tiger (also known as a thylacine) died in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in Tasmania on September 7, 1936, marking the species' presumed extinction.

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Verifying you are human. This may take a few seconds.

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this website shows how if animals are in zoos they have a higher life expectancy

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/do-animals-live-longer-in-zoos

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Only recently has there been enough data on the longevity of wild animals to establish whether animals live longer in captivity or in the wild.

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61 million people with disabilities rely on plastic straws

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while trampolines have dedicated areas for little kids that is an easy way for a kid to get kidnapped because the kidnapper could just go to the area that all the little kids are in

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Zoos are captivity and entertainment centres where collections of wild animals are exhibited in solitary, often in solitary confinement, with the main aim of satisfying the curiosity of visitors.

Animals exhibited in these facilities are subject to complete control and live in very different conditions from those in which they live in the wild. Captivity suppresses the natural instincts of wild animals. Animals suffer permanent frustration because they have no freedom of choice and cannot behave as they would do in their natural environment. This leads to a tendency toward genetic, physical and behavioural degeneration.

The consequences of captivity are:

Stereotypical behaviours: these are pathologies stem from forced captivity and are expressed through obsessive and / or repetitive behaviours including:

continually walking around.

turning in circles.

playing with their tongue.

biting and licking the bars.

turning the neck, swinging,

shaking the head up and down,

rocking, hugging their legs, (common in big cats, elephants, bears, giraffes, camels, primates, etc.).

Other pathologies:

Apathy, sadness, boredom.

Eating Disorders (they refuse to eat or, on the contrary, become obsessed about food).

Self-mutilation (biting tail, legs, head banging)-cats, bears, primates.

Excessive cleaning (pulling hair or feathers off, leaving their skin with patches)-bears and parrots.

Abnormal sexual behaviours (hyperactivity, finding substitute objects).

Abnormal maternal behaviour (mothers attack, kill or abandon their young, etc.).

Prolonged childish behaviour (immaturity, abnormal social behaviour, lack of social trust, etc.).

Abnormal aggression: (with more intensity or frequency as a result of overcrowded cages, threats of dominant animals and pressure from zoo visitors.

Vomiting and regurgitation, repeated vomiting, eating vomit and regurgitating. (often in gorillas and chimpanzees).

Coprophagie: playing with and / or eating faeces, smearing faeces on walls (gorillas and chimpanzees).

Many kind of diseases (digestive, skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, ...).

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Animals exhibited in these facilities are subject to complete control and live in very different conditions from those in which they…

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What Is Zoochosis?

Zoochosis is a form of psychosis that develops in animals held captive in zoos. Most often, it manifests in what are called stereotypic behaviors, or stereotypies, which are often monotonous, obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose. Stated plainly, zoochosis is mental anguish made visible by abnormal behavior, and it’s a common indicator of poor welfare.

Animals evolved in the wild, where they could roam freely, interact socially, problem solve, and in general live a rich sensory life. Captivity, whether in zoos, circuses, aquariums, or elsewhere, denies them all of this and more. As a result, animals suffer.

Crucially, stereotypical behaviors do not occur in the wild, but are exclusively seen in animals held in captivity.

What are the Signs of Zoochosis?

Thousands of different species are kept in zoos, and each one has specific physical and psychological needs that can never be met in captivity, even with the best husbandry practices. The most common stereotypies seen in captive animals can depend on species, and individuals, but often include:

Pacing

Bar biting

Bobbing, weaving and swaying

Rocking

Self-mutilation

Over-grooming

Regurgitating and reingesting food

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There are people who argue that animals are happy in zoos, or are at least content. Are they? Keep reading to learn about zoochosis and what it tells us about the degree to which captive animals suffer.

Read on to discover:

Zoochosis is a form of psychosis that develops in animals held captive in zoos. Most often, it manifests in what are called stereotypic behaviors, or stereotypies, which are often monotonous, obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose. Stated plainly, zoochosis is mental anguish made visible by abnormal behavior, and it's a common indicator of poor welfare.

Animals evolved in the wild, where they could roam freely, interact socially, problem solve, and in general live a rich sensory life. Captivity, whether in zoos, circuses, aquariums, or elsewhere, denies them all of this and more. As a result, animals suffer.

Crucially, stereotypical behaviors do not occur in the wild, but are exclusively seen in animals held in captivity.

Thousands of different species are kept in zoos, and each one has specific physical and psychological needs that can never be met in captivity, even with the best husbandry practices. The most common stereotypies seen in captive animals can depend on species, and individuals, but often include:

Pacing

Bar biting

Bobbing, weaving and swaying

Rocking

Self-mutilation

Over-grooming

Regurgitating and reingesting food

Definitely.

Yes.

According to Wikipedia, "A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not due to any immediate external injury." This definition is inclusive of both bodily and mental disorders.

That said, zoochosis is not a disease in the sense of an abnormal condition that stems from within, such as from one's own body getting sick. Zoochosis is instead a disease that stems from outside forces, from the extreme sensory deprivation that zoos and other forms of captivity impose upon animals.

Zoochosis is a mental disorder that manifests in abnormal, and often unhealthy, physical behaviors. It is largely, though not necessarily exclusively, caused by psychological factors induced by physical captivity and sensory deprivation.

We don't know.

If I Don't See Signs of Zoochosis, Does That Mean Everything is Okay?

No!

Perhaps you have known someone in your own life who is suffering inside but bottles up all their emotions. Research is clear that this happens in nonhuman animals, too.

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What Is Zoochosis and How Do Animals Get It?

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Zoochosis is a form of mental illness that develops in animals held captive in zoos. Most often, it manifests in what are called stereotypical behaviors, which are often monotonous, obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose.

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jot#2 the government should ban plastic straws.

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jot#2 the government should ban plastic straws.

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The plastic straws are harming to marine life. The marine life thinks that plastic straws are food. Many animals die a year and the plastic straws can enter marine life's food chains. The plastic straws are a major source of litter.

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Around 1,300 people have chocked on paper straws

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Zoos help educate kids on animals and is a great learning experience.

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SALT LAKE CITY — Animals in zoos unused to the conditions and close quarters of their enclosures can develop mental health issues, experts say.

These animals respond with erratic behavior not native to their species. Slate tells the story of a polar bear named Gus who used to swim endless figure eights in his small pool.

“Many animals cope with unstimulating or small environments through stereotypic behavior, which, in zoological parlance, is a repetitive behavior that serves no obvious purpose, such as pacing, bar biting, and Gus’ figure-eight swimming,” Slate said. “Trichotillomania (repetitive hair plucking) and regurgitation and reingestation (the practice of repetitively vomiting and eating the vomit) are also common in captivity.”

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Small enclosures cause zoochosis in animals By Amanda Taylor | Posted - June 25, 2014 at 11:46 a.m.

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Small enclosures cause zoochosis in animals

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Animals in zoos unused to the conditions and close quarters of their enclosures can develop mental health issues, experts say.

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in ground trampolines are less likely to tip over.

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700 million people visit zoos. 700 Million people have kids who go to the zoo you are making a bad impact on those kids they love the zoo like every normal kid.

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Risk of Short-Term Injury

Trampolines pose a high risk of temporary injury for kids, including scrapes, bruises, sprains, fractured or broken limbs, concussions, and more.

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When you’re jumping on a trampoline, your entire body is engaged in the activity. Every time you jump, you’re using the momentum of your whole body to force the muscles in your legs, arms, core, and back to work at the same time. While most traditional workouts will focus on training one area of your body at a time, a trampoline workout allows you to work multiple muscles at once, letting you build strength with a simple movement.

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Another unique set of problems arises from the live feeding of certain species, particularly big cats. Live feeding, often touted as positive since it encourages normal predatory behaviors, has a notable downside. Since this method of feeding large predators generally requires smaller animals to be bred and purchased solely for this purpose, it necessitates the exploitation and frequently painful death of the smaller species.

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Workouts with a trampoline help you build skills as well as improve balance and coordination. While jumping, your lower body provides momentum control while your upper body keeps your center of gravity balanced the entire time and ensures you don’t fall over. To keep you bouncing and not falling during harder exercises like jump squats, pike jumps, and tuck jumps, your arms, legs, hips, knees, and feet need to work together. This naturally builds better balance over time. This is even proven to help elderly people regain their sense of balance

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Stress Relief:

The repetitive motion and focus required for trampolining can help take your mind off worries, providing a mental break from stressors.

Endorphin Release:

Physical activity, like trampolining, stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.

Improved Focus:

Trampolining can help improve focus and concentration, especially for children.

Fun and Engagement:

Trampolining is a fun and engaging activity that can help you stay active and motivated.

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Animals in captivity often develop dangerous and destructive habits due to the stress of living in such restricted spaces. They also lack the everyday social interactions they would experience in the wild. Abnormal animal behavior also puts zoo workers at greater risk for injury and death.

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Risk of Long-Term Injury

There is also an elevated risk of severe and/or permanent injury with trampoline use, especially those related to the head, neck, and spine.

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Stress Relief:

The repetitive motion and focus required for trampolining can help take your mind off worries, providing a mental break from stressors.

Endorphin Release:

Physical activity, like trampolining, stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.

Improved Focus:

Trampolining can help improve focus and concentration, especially for children.

Fun and Engagement:

Trampolining is a fun and engaging activity that can help you stay active and motivated.

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Trampolining offers numerous benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, enhanced balance and coordination, increased bone density, and a low-impact way to exercise, all while being a fun and engaging activity.

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Many people argue that zoos are detrimental to animal welfare, as they confine wild creatures in unnatural environments, often with inadequate space and limited opportunities for mental stimulation or natural behaviors. Additionally, it's argued that keeping animals imprisoned in cages, so that humans can pay money to watch them go about their daily lives in captivity and on public display, is cruel and degrading in principle. Ultimately, beyond the entertainment value many zoos provide, they might be doing more harm than good for the animals and the environment, especially if animals die prematurely as a result.

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Trampolines are not recommended for children under 6 years of age; however, this age group accounts for 22% to 37% of trampoline-related injuries. There is greater risk of injuries observed in older children and adolescents in trampoline centres, which may reflect higher rates of risk-taking behaviours in pre-teens and teenagers.

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High risk for harm

Injuries from trampolines can be serious. They include broken bones, concussions, and head injuries. In some cases, serious spinal cord injuries and death can occur. Injuries can happen even when a trampoline has padding and a net enclosure. They can happen even when an adult is supervising. Trampoline injuries occur in many ways. They may happen when a jumper tries flips or other stunts. They may land badly, fall off, or fall on the trampoline spring or frame. If two or more people are jumping, they may crash into each other.

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How injuries occur

Most trampoline injuries occur when there is more than one person using a trampoline. Children can get hurt when they

Land wrong while jumping.

Land wrong while flipping and doing somersaults (this should not be allowed because of the risk of head and neck injuries).

Try stunts.

Strike or are struck by another person.

Fall or jump off the trampoline.

Land on the springs or frame.

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2019 at a trampoline park someone got a nail in their knee

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If you decide to take the leap

If you must have a trampoline, put safety first. Take these steps recommended by the CPSC to reduce the risk of injury:

Allow only one person on the trampoline at a time.

Do not attempt or allow somersaults because landing on the head or neck can cause paralysis.

Do not use the trampoline without shock-absorbing pads that completely cover its springs, hooks, and frame.

Place the trampoline away from structures, trees, and other play areas.

No child under 6 years of age should use a full-size trampoline. Do not use a ladder with the trampoline because it can provide unsupervised access to small children.

Supervise children at all times.

Trampoline enclosures may help prevent injuries from falls.

Regardless of the precautions put in place, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly discourages the home use of trampolines. More than 1 million people visited the emergency department for trampoline injuries between 2002 and 2011, according to a September 2019 report from the AAP. Most patients were younger than 17 years.

The decision to purchase or keep a trampoline comes down to risk versus reward. While they may seem appealing as a fun summer activity, know the safety risks as well as the legal and financial risks to you and ask yourself: Are they worth it?

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According to the CPSC, trampoline-related injuries have been increasing over the years, with an estimated 331,800 trampoline injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2019 alone.

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Baby animals bring the public in in droves, but this often leads to zoos having too many animals. Surplus animals can be sold on to other zoos (or safari parks, circuses etc) but many are just killed. You might remember back in 2014 when the Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark killed Marius the giraffe. ‘Young giraffe unsuitable for breeding was shot, dissected in public and then fed to lions despite offers of a new home.’

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Single-Use Plastic Straws

plastic straws are sickening and killing animals. This is all because they are so lightweight that they are sorted into the none recycle part .So then it is brought to a landfill. not just plastic straws but plastic alone is killing our ecosystem.

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Most captive breeding programmes don’t release animals into the wild. More often than not they become part of a never-ending chain of zoos, safari parks, circuses, canned hunting facilities and even the exotic pet trade. There are more tigers in American backyards than there are in the wild!

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What about supervised gym and school programs with trampolines?

Every athletic activity carries some risk of injury, and trampoline programs are no exception. However, jumping under the supervision of a trained coach or instructor is very different from bouncing in the backyard or visiting a trampoline park.

Athletic staff generally work within safety rules and inspect equipment often. They may use a special harness to help kids learn specific moves (or simply protect their growing bodies). For these reasons, you may feel more comfortable allowing your child to try out a gymnastics, dance or other program that includes trampoline work.

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zoos usually hire vets to help the animals if they are hurt.

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If your child wants to try the trampoline park:

Wait until they're at least 6 years old. Even spaces that seem safe—for example, bouncy houses and foam pits—can be dangerous for little ones.

Read the waiver and understand the risks and what activities are allowed and not allowed at the trampoline park.

Avoid traditionally busy hours of the day. Go when it is less crowded and the lower chance of collision with other people.

Stick close to your child. There's less chance they'll make extreme moves with your eyes on them.

Remind them that the jumping surfaces are bouncier and harder than a backyard trampoline. Encourage them to test things out before they go all-in. Make sure they keep their eyes open and try to avoid collisions.

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they do the folloing Providing enclosures that promote the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of the animals

Grouping members of a species together in a manner that reflects their natural social tendencies

Providing multiple different areas within each animal’s environment

Providing enough shade to avoid direct sunlight on sunny days

Regular observation of animals’ physical health

A 24/7 veterinary program directed by a qualified veterinarian that focuses on disease prevention and animal welfare

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animals in captivity often suffer from boredom and stress. Captivity can in no way compare to being free in the wild.

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One study found that 11% of jumpers at 18 different trampoline parks suffered serious injuries. Another showed that people hurt in bounce parks are twice as likely to need surgery than those hurt in other settings.

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By using a plastic straw, many people with disabilities are able to avoid spills and drink without help or specialist equipment.

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It's a possibility that the US could potentially lose 5 million jobs because of these cars.

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It is easy to assume that these injuries are not a big deal. After all, most sprains or broken bones heal, right? But trampolines pose incredibly high risks for serious injuries. Examples include breaks to bones or injuries to ligaments that require surgery, paralysis and even life-threatening injuries. And even broken bones can leave kids with lasting effects including the potential for nerve damage.

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Animals in captivity across the globe have been documented displaying signs of anxiety and depression. In fact, psychological distress in animals kept in zoos is so common that it has its own name: Zoochosis.

Zoochosis can include rocking, swaying, excessively pacing back and forth, circling, twisting of the neck, self-mutilation, excessive grooming, biting, vomiting and coprophagia (consuming excrement).

These traits are largely uncommon amongst healthy and happy animals in the wild. When kept in captivity, animals are deprived of the ability to express their natural desires, and the effect this can often have on their mental and emotional health is tragically clear in the form of zoochosis. Such behaviour, when exhibited by confined or disturbed animals in other situations, is often referred to as ‘stereotypic behaviour’ and is recognised by scientists as a clear indicator of severe animal welfare issues.

What’s even sadder, is that to counter these problems, zoos internationally have been known to give drugs to affected animals. In her book Animal Madness, Laurel Braitman says that the practice of putting animals on anti-depressants is surprisingly common. “At every zoo where I spoke to someone, a psychopharmaceutical had been tried.”

One case Braitman shares is of a polar bear named Gus who lived at Central Park Zoo. Gus began compulsively swimming figure eights in his pool – for up to 12 hours per day. An animal psychologist determined that Gus was bored. And not surprisingly, given that his enclosure was less than 0.00009% of what his range in the Arctic would be.

Despite being born in captivity, he would still have felt predatory impulses. In fact, when he was first moved to the zoo, he would entertain himself by ‘stalking’ small children. But the zoo did not want children getting frightened, so they built a barrier to stop this. Gus was given thousands of dollars worth of behavioural therapy, the nickname “bipolar bear“, and doses of Prozac. His compulsive swimming eased off but never really went away. Gus died in captivity in 2013 at age 27.

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Since the eye-opening documentary ' Blackfish' hit screens, the world has woken up to the cruelty of keeping marine animals, like Tilikum, confined to tanks. But what about other animals in captivity?

COVID-19 update: The global pandemic is placing animals around the world at urgent risk, including many in zoos and aquariums. Without ticket sales, these captive animals may become economically unviable, with some even potentially slaughtered to feed others - a tragic extension of usual "surplus management" euthanasia practices discussed below. And for those who do survive this period of pandemic, sadly every day will likely continue to offer ongoing "lockdown". You can help by choosing animal-friendly entertainment and supporting conservation groups.

We hear a lot of things to justify keeping animals in zoos. But are these justifications based on fact, or are they simply what zoos would have us believe? Here are 4 things we hear about animals in zoos, and why we should think twice about them.

Whilst some zoos may contribute in small ways to conservation projects, the vast majority of animals in zoos are not on the endangered species list, and the ones who are will likely never be rehabilitated to their natural habitat. A study conducted by Captive Animal Protection Society (CAPS) found that almost half of the animals in breeding programs in the EU were not even endangered in the wild.

Former zoo director David Hancocks estimates that less than 3% of a zoo's budget goes to conservation, while the majority goes towards "hi-tech exhibits and marketing efforts to lure visitors."

The truth is that most zoos exist primarily for profit. One of the biggest draw cards for zoos is baby animals. Babies will often be bred even when there isn't enough room to keep them, inevitably resulting in "surplus" animals in zoos. Surplus management strategies are one of the best-kept secrets of modern zoos.

In 2014, the world reacted with shock and outrage when a healthy 2 year old giraffe named Marius was killed and cut up in front of spectators at Copenhagen Zoo. His body was then fed to the lions.

In response to widespread criticism, Copenhagen Zoo's Scientific Director Bengt Holst defended the decision, saying that the zoo had a surplus of giraffes and that this is something that's " done every day", just not in the public eye. Just a short time later, Copenhagen Zoo was in the news again for killing four healthy lions to make room for a new male lion they wanted to breed. The relevant zoo standards in Australia would allow a similar judgement to be made about 'surplus animals' in zoos here, but these 'management' decisions are rarely made public.

Zoos also routinely trade and relocate animals who they deem to have outlived profitability or who no longer fit into breeding schemes. Trading animals with other zoos can be extremely stressful for the animals who are relocated, as they leave behind social bonds and surroundings they have grown accustomed to.

Just like SeaWorlds and other marine parks, for zoos the interests of animals usually comes second to attracting visitors and making money.
FACT: Most zoos exist for profit.

A zoo can teach you a lot about how animals behave in captivity but will teach you very little about the behaviour of animals in the wild. Even though most modern zoos make efforts to offer animals a more natural environment, most captive animals in zoos are unable to live in a way that they would naturally and some may even be on medication to alter their behaviour. (See point 4.)

Perhaps those who visit zoos recognise this. A study of visitor behaviour at four zoos in the U.S. found that only 6% of visitors said they go to a zoo to learn more about animals, while 86% of visitors said they went to the zoo for "social or recreational purposes".

In the early days of zoo popularity, television was far from everyday reality for people. Today, with enlightening and informative nature documentaries, interactive online educational tools and the increasing ease and affordability of international travel, we have the opportunity to learn about animals by viewing them in their natural habitat.

"Learning" about animals by keeping them locked up is not only ineffective, but it is also obsolete. Click here for a list of 10 amazing places to see animals in the wild and here for must-watch docos.
FACT: The best way to learn about animals is in their natural habitat, online or in a nature documentary.

There is nothing natural about a penguin, giraffe or elephant living in the middle of a city. We've come to accept this as part of normal society. It's only when things go wrong that we're reminded that a city zoo is no place for an animal.

In 2015, a flood in Georgia destroyed enclosures at the Tbilisi Zoo and saw dozens of zoo animals unleashed on the streets, including lions, bears, wolves and a hippo.

"Some 20 wolves, eight lions, white tigers, tigers, jackals, jaguars have either been shot dead by special forces or are missing." - Mzia Sharashidze, Tbilisi Zoo spokeswoman.

If we look back in history we see that keeping animals in captivity has left a trail of disasters ...

2022 A Swedish zoo ordered three chimpanzees that escaped be shot and killed, claiming 'there was not enough tranquiliser to subdue all of them'.

2022 There are reports animals trapped in zoos in Ukraine who are unable to be evacuated are dying. Animals in zoos already suffer psychological distress, and the terror of war only exacerbates it.

2022 A snow leopard named Rilu died at a United States zoo after contracting Covid-19

2018: The lions at London Zoo are so inbred that 2 out of 3 lion cubs born are dying.

2018: A Eurasian lynx named Lilith escaped Borth Wild Animal Kingdom in Wales and was shot dead by order of the local authority. A second lynx, Nilly, died the week earlier when she was asphyxiated by the catch pole during handling.

2017: A white rhino named Vince was shot dead and his horns hacked off by intruders at Thoiry Zoo near Paris.

2017: Government inspectors found that nearly 500 animals had died in less than 4 years at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria, UK. The inspectors cited "overcrowding, poor hygiene, poor nutrition, lack of suitable animal husbandry and a lack of any sort of developed veterinary care" as welfare concerns and recommended that the zoo's license renewal be refused.

2016: A 17 year old gorilla named Harambe was shot dead at Cincinnati Zoo when a four year old boy climbed into the enclosure. Opinions are divided as to whether the boy was in any danger from Harambe before he was killed by zookeepers.

2015: A female gorilla named Julia, who had lived at Melbourne Zoo for 20 years, was attacked and killed by a younger male gorilla named Otana who had been transferred to the zoo from the UK.

2015: Keepers at Duisburg Zoo in Germany shot dead a male orangutan who tried to escape, saying that a sedative would have taken too long to take effect.

2015: Dozens of animals - including lions, tigers, monkeys and crocodiles - died from hunger or thirst at the Khan Younis Zoo in the Gaza Strip when they were left without care during the Palestinian and Israeli conflict.

2012: A polar bear in Buenes Aires Zoo overheated and died. (Another heat-stressed and depressed polar bear named Arturo is currently held at an Argentinian zoo and, despite public pressure, the zoo Director has refused to have him relocated.)

2008: A leaked memo revealed that a zookeeper at Melbourne Zoo had stabbed an elephant, Dokkoon, more than a dozen times with a sharp metal spike. The same memo exposed that a male gorilla, Rigo, had been kept in isolation for 16 years and four seals suffered partial blindness from the chlorine in the tiny pool they were kept in for up to three years while a $20 million dollar enclosure was built.

2004: A 13 year old male gorilla, Jabari, escaped from Dallas Zoo and was shot and killed by police.

2002: Flooding enclosures in Prague Zoo led to an elephant and hippopotamus being euthanised to 'save' them from drowning.

2000: An 18 year old sloth bear named Medusa died of dehydration when Toledo Zoo officials locked her in a den to hibernate, not knowing that her species does not hibernate.

We have been born into a society that accepts animals in zoos as commonplace but the invention of the zoo dates back thousands of years - to an era when people who looked different were also put on display. We now have unlimited options for entertainment, not to mention a greater understanding of animal sentience and needs. In today's society, ogling at animals in zoos behind glass seems crudely outdated. Certainly, it's unnecessary and rarely (if ever) in the animals' best interests.

Costa Rica has recognised this and in 2013 declared that it would be closing all its zoos and releasing the animals who are able to be rehabilitated to the wild. (The others would be cared for in sanctuaries or live out their lives in nature parks.) Which will be the next country to make this compassionate decision?
FACT: There is nothing "normal" about animals in zoos. Wild animals belong in the wild, not captive in cities.

Animals in captivity across the globe have been documented displaying signs of anxiety and depression. In fact, psychological distress in zoo animals is so common that it has its own name: Zoochosis.

Zoochosis can include rocking, swaying, excessively pacing back and forth, circling, twisting of the neck, self-mutilation, excessive grooming, biting, vomiting and coprophagia (consuming excrement).

These traits are largely uncommon amongst healthy and happy animals in the wild. When kept in captivity, animals are deprived of the ability to express their natural desires and the effect this can often have on their mental and emotional health is tragically clear in the form of zoochosis. Such behaviour, when exhibited by confined or disturbed animals in other situations, is often referred to as 'stereotypic behaviour' and is recognised by scientists as a clear indicator of severe animal welfare issues.

What's even sadder, is that to counter these problems, zoos internationally have been known to give drugs to affected animals. In her book Animal Madness, Laurel Braitman says that the practice of putting animals on anti-depressants is surprisingly common. "At every zoo where I spoke to someone, a psychopharmaceutical had been tried."

One case Braitman shares is of a polar bear named Gus who lived at Central Park Zoo. Gus began compulsively swimming figure eights in his pool for up to 12 hours per day.

An animal psychologist determined that Gus was bored. And not surprisingly, given that his enclosure was less than 0.00009% of what his range in the Arctic would be. Despite being born in captivity, he would still have felt predatory impulses. In fact, when he was first moved to the zoo, he would entertain himself by stalking small children. But the zoo did not want children getting frightened so they built a barrier to stop this. Gus was given thousands of dollars worth of behavioural therapy, the nickname " bipolar bear " and ... a prescription of Prozac. His compulsive swimming eased off but never really went away. Gus died in captivity in 2013 at age 27.

Similarly, it has been revealed that SeaWorld (U.S.) trainers give psychoactive drugs and anti-depressants to some of its marine animals. Since the 'Blackfish' documentary exposed the truth about keeping highly active and social animals like orcas in captivity, SeaWorld has seen a significant decline in attendance. Society is recognising that there's nothing fun about sad animals.
FACT: Living in captivity has been found to lead some animals to neurosis and depression.

Humans have a great capacity for kindness towards our fellow species. When we see an animal suffer, we jump to their aid, ( just like the awesome humans in this video did).

We have the choice to show our respect for animals by letting them live a natural life, rather than contributing to an institution that breeds them for a life in captivity. You can make a difference in the lives of animals in zoos by choosing animal-friendly alternatives to zoos, such as admiring animals in the wild, at sanctuaries or on television.

NOTE: We acknowledge that every organisation has different animal welfare policies and this article is intended to inform the public about existing zoo practices. We hope that it will encourage people to ask questions and to seek out organisations that align with their own values about the treatment of animals.

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4 things we need to stop telling ourselves about animals in zoos | Animals Australia

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We hear a lot of things to justify keeping animals in zoos. But are these justifications based on fact, or are they simply what zoos would have us believe? Here are 4 things we hear about animals in zoos, and why we should think twice about them.

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They rely heavily on technology. So far, self-driving vehicle technology is a bit glitchy and prone to errors.

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trampolines are way safer when you are doing tricks in gymnastics. if you mess up a trick on the floor there could be life threatening injuries. if you mess up a trick on trampoline it can hurt you but not as much as the floor.

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About 24% of captive orcas have “major” to “extreme” tooth wear, and 60% had tooth fractures as a result of stress-induced teeth grinding. As a result of the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which exposed the psychological damage done to orcas by SeaWorld, California outlawed captive orca breeding.

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Increased Mobility for the Elderly and Disabled

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Increased Mobility for the Elderly and Disabled

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Autonomous cars can provide increased mobility and independence to individuals who are not able to drive due to age, disabilities, or other things. These self-driving cars offer a convenient and safe mode of transportation for those who might be limited in their ability to get around.

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Kids versus trampolines

Dr. Shaughnessy also suggests that ED health care providers discuss prevention strategies with injured kids and their families. Measures to consider include:

Ensuring that a backyard trampoline has a net — that alone can cut the fracture rate in half.

Allowing only one child on the trampoline at a time. A significant mismatch in size and weight, such as a teen and a toddler, is especially dangerous.

Teaching kids not to jump onto the trampoline from roofs and other high places, which can lead to especially serious injuries.

Checking homeowners insurance; most policies don't cover trampoline injuries.

Dr. Shaughnessy says trampoline injuries aren't all that different from injuries kids get in bike or playground accidents. Still, he says, "If kids weren't so creative, they wouldn't get as injured.

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Before getting into the weeds, it’s crucial to point out that not all zoos are created equal. Around 235 zoos worldwide are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), out of the many thousands that exist around the globe (10,000 according to a widely cited AZA figure, though that figure is at least a decade old). The AZA requires its zoos to regularly study their animals for research purposes and abide by strict animal welfare standards. These standards include, but aren’t limited to:

Providing enclosures that promote the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of the animals

Grouping members of a species together in a manner that reflects their natural social tendencies

Providing multiple different areas within each animal’s environment

Providing enough shade to avoid direct sunlight on sunny days

Regular observation of animals’ physical health

A 24/7 veterinary program directed by a qualified veterinarian that focuses on disease prevention and animal welfare

5 Arguments for Zoos, Fact-Checked and Unpacked

their are programs to make sure zoos are in check. they are very strict and care for all the animals. plus they check zoos at least once a year. in summery zoos are going to take care of animals because they love the animals and so do the programs.

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Dr. Shaughnessy says about 20% to 30% of children with trampoline injuries need surgery. "Some fractures are automatically treated surgically, especially supracondylar fractures of the humerus. For some reason, that bone breaks easily when someone lands on an outstretched hand, which often happens when children reach out to catch themselves," he says.

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Plastic Straws can be vital accessibility tools for people who have disabilities, allowing them to drink safely and independently, especially those with motor control, swallowing, and other physical challenges.

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Some emergency doctors are comfortable putting casts on displaced fractures and will follow up with the child's family physician or call Mayo to follow up. Others have less experience treating children and would prefer to transfer pediatric patients. In that case, they should verify that the child's neurological status is intact and splint the fracture before transfer," he explains. "They should send these patients to the emergency department (ED), where we can either cast the broken bone or admit them — kids with femur or cervical fractures usually are admitted."

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The Jambeck Research Club stated that when you weigh the plastic straws, they only have 0.3% of themselves in the ocean. Plastic bottle caps contribute over 17%.

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A movement to ban disposable plastic straws is sweeping the US after gaining traction in cities and countries across the world, finding widespread attention after Starbucks announced it would phase out disposable straws by 2020. However, according to disability rights advocates, banning disposable plastic straws, which were originally created as disability aides, presents unacceptable barriers for people with many disabilities. Aided by a widespread desire for meaningful environmental change and a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose, plastic straw bans have been celebrated by individuals, companies, and legislators as a positive and necessary move towards widespread environmental change. But do plastic straw bans really represent meaningful change-and if so, at what cost? According to those affected and a growing pool of evidence, plastic straw bans not only fail to accommodate people with various disabilities, they also fail to create the meaningful positive environmental change they claim to prioritize.

The Numbers

Straw bans have been framed by many as a necessary first step toward reducing rid of plastic waste, and even those who acknowledge the challenges plastic straw bans present to elderly and disabled individuals have framed straw bans as a choice between access and the environment. But it's important to consider the numbers when thinking about those impacts.

How much do disposable plastic straws really contribute to the world's plastic waste and overall pollution? According to a recent report by environmental group Better Alternatives Now (BAN), plastic straws and stirrers (grouped together in this report but not in all bans) comprised about 7% of plastic items found along the California coastline, by piece. Compared to plastic bags at 9% or plastic bottle caps at 17%, it's a not-insignificant chunk of plastic. However, when taken by weight, a report by Jambeck Research Group places plastic straws at only .03% of aggregate plastic in the oceans themselves, suggesting that straws' lightness and buoyancy lead them to end up overrepresented on the coastline.

Perhaps even more saliently, a recent survey by Ocean Cleanup estimated that nearly half of the plastic waste found in the oceans' largest garbage patch comes from fishing nets, primarily commercial ones. These numbers point to what disability rights advocates have said about straw bans: while the bans have enormous potential to harm the elderly and disabled, they bring about neither the dramatic reductions in plastic that curtailing activities of corporate polluters would effect, nor the smaller yet harmless reductions that bans on items like plastic balloons and plastic shopping bags bring about.

Also significant to note about the BAN report is that products labeled as biodegradable or compostable plastics are not, in fact, actually biodegradable in an earth or ocean environment. Many are moving toward biodegradable plastic straws as a substitute for current plastic models, but according to data, those not only do not come with any actual impact on ocean plastics, they also bring additional challenges of potentially fatal food allergies and reduced durability into the lives of disabled straw-users.

Another salient point many have made is that plastic conservation efforts have many other starting points that don't target accessibility aides. Plastic straws were chosen as a social media campaign), who have symbolic starting point by environmental advocacy group Lonely Whale (originator of the #stopsucking acknowledged in multiple interviews that straw bans present potential problems for people with disabilities. Lonely Whale did not respond to my request before press time-a statement from the group has been added to the end of this article*-but resources including the group's staff training .pdf clearly outline the need for acknowledging the complex issue straw bans present to disability rights.

Kim Sauder, a Toronto-based disability rights advocate and PhD student in Disability Studies, wants people to recognize that they aren't choosing between disability access and the environment. "That legitimizes the idea that a straw ban will achieve something. It ignores the reality that a straw ban won't do what legislators say it will. The 'conversation' they are starting really boils down to what people will accept as success and the harms they will justify in the name of that." According to Sauder, many who have pushed for straw bans appear to be totally okay with what even its biggest champions deem a symbolic victory against pollution, even when it comes at the very real expense of disability access.
Potential for Harm
While plastic straws have become a go-to for all types of customers in cafes, bars, and restaurants, they were originally invented as a disability aid and used in hospitals. Joseph B. Friedman created and sold the first disposable bendy straws as a tool to help reclined patients, as well as people with assorted other disabilities, drink easily from cups. Sold as the Flex-Straw, they were and still are an inexpensive, temperature-resistant, sturdy, and sanitary alternative to the reusable silicone feeding tubes which were in heavy rotation before their advent. They achieved mainstream popularity because the design was superior to existing alternatives for all people, not just people with disabilities.

As disability rights advocates have pointed out, all current substitutes fail to meet the same standard of universal design. Compostable alternatives lack the same sturdiness, making them too easy to chew through or choke on for people with limited jaw mobility and (in the case of paper straws) too flimsy for people with longer drinking periods. Reusable alternatives present problems too; not only would people with disabilities need to carry them around on top of other medical necessities, they're also difficult to wash, dangerously unsanitary if not properly washed, conduct heat and cold, and present cutting risks. With the current selections of alternatives on the market, if establishments don't have a stash of plastic straws in-house, they risk creating situations where people with specific disabilities either can't drink safely, or can't drink at all.

"Plastic bendy straws provide me with a basic needs that everyone else has access to," says Jae Kim, a straw-user and social work intern at Seattle's Arc of King County. "They became a part of me that I can't lose. Without them, I can't consume any liquids and it is the biggest, scariest concern I have."

Sauder argues that it's the responsibility of legislators and straw manufacturers to ensure that they create a truly viable alternative that works for all before banning the disposable plastic options that currently serve everyone's needs, pointing out that it shouldn't be on people with disabilities to lose essential access tools in order to support symbolic legislation. Kim wants non-disabled people to think about how that experience would feel. "How would your life look if you needed to go through barriers just to have a sip of water?"

Case Studies: Seattle, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara

Many governments implementing straw bans have built in disability exemptions, but those too can present serious problems if not worded correctly. In order to make sure that people who need plastic straws can access them, laws need to include clauses that specifically mandate keeping plastic straws in-house with signage to let people know about they're available, rather than simply exempting businesses who want to accommodate disabled patrons.

The first US city to pass straw ban legislation was Seattle, where the legislation passed with an disability exemption that was widely criticized for not being stronger. According to Seattle Disability Commission co-chair Shaun Bickley, Seattle Public Utilities failed to reach out to the Disability Commission for feedback prior to passing the legislation, and then passed a ban with an exemption that allowed-but did not require-businesses to serve flexible plastic straws to patrons with disabilities. Last week, in light of the many voices drawing attention to the issues with the exemption, they issued a statement to "food packaging and serviceware stakeholders" detailing the new legislation as well as emphasizing that "SPU provides the above listed exemption and also encourages food service businesses to keep a supply of flexible plastic straws available for customers with a physical or medical condition. We would appreciate if distributors and associations would inform your customers and members of this exemption and to share our encouragement that they maintain a supply of flexible plastic straws for this purpose."

San Francisco also passed straw ban legislation with a disability exemption stipulating that businesses are allowed to make exemptions for people who need them, rather than mandating that they accommodate people with disabilities. This was criticized by many in the disabled community because, as proven with countless ADA requirements, many businesses accommodate people with disabilities only when required by law. According to Supervisor Katy Tang, the legislation is currently being amended to include more specific language around disability access.

"Legislation does not typically spell out every detail for implementation. The intent behind our originally included a clause regarding the disabilities community is that restaurants/retailers would indeed need to have some plastic straws on hand for those who request them due to a medical reason," Tang told me via email. "The ADA is broad enough in that all places of public accommodation should be making reasonable efforts to accommodate those with disabilities in every way possible."

Much more extreme is the legislation introduced in Santa Barbara, which not only prohibits any business or individual from handing out plastic straws-including compostable plastic straws, which are the closest alternative for people who need to use straws due to disability-it actually punishes repeat offenders with heavy fines and jail time. For providers to get a disability exemption, they must apply to the city of Santa Barbara for an exemption due to "medical necessity," an extra step that makes it that much harder and more expensive for businesses to serve customers with disabilities. I have not been able to get comments from anyone involved in the Santa Barbara legislation.

Legislation aside, owner of Washington's One Cup Coffee Tonia Hume plans to make sure her patrons with disabilities have everything they need to have a positive experience. Hearing rumors of the impending straw ban, Hume swapped the plastic straws at her four locations for biodegradable plastic straws; once the ban passed, she learned of the issues people with various disabilities were expressing and is now committed to making sure they're able to access her space just as easily as before. "We had plastic straws that didn't bend before, so making the swap to compostable was no big deal," she said. Once she found out that bendy straws were crucial to many, she committed to making sure they're available in all locations at all times. "You want to be a place that's welcoming to everybody," she said.

San Francisco's Wrecking Ball Coffee also that in light of the ban, they will now carry two types of straws, with a request that patrons use compostable straws unless they need plastic bendy straws. "We were always proud that we had compostable straws at WB, but when SF began discussing a plastic straw ban, we looked a little deeper," Wrecking Ball co-founder Trish Rothgeb told me by email. Hearing the voices of the disabled community, they added plastic bendy straws to their condiment bar. "It's not up to the baristas to police the situation. We can't assume we know a person's needs by looking at them. Will a kid get a straw because it's fun, when it's really not meant for them? Most probably, but it's a small price to pay for making sure every guest gets what they need without any judgement or extra work on their part."

What You Can Do

Whether you live in a place with a straw ban or not, there's a lot you can do, both for the environment and for people with disabilities that will be affected by straw bans.

If you live in an area with a straw ban and own, manage, or work in a business that serves beverages, make sure to keep a stash of plastic bendy straws for patrons with disabilities that need them-ideally right in the condiment area with adequate signage, like Wrecking Ball now does. If you live in an area that is pushing for a straw ban, contact your legislators and fight for a disability accommodation mandate, rather than just an exemption.

In addition, if you're a non-disabled person who wants to help the environment, do what you can to take personal responsibility for your own use of reusable and sustainable materials for as many of your daily activities as possible. "Are you cognitive of the environmental impact you may contribute in all aspects of life," asks organizer and Seattle Disability Commission chair Khazm Kogita. "How can you strive to minimize your footprint on the planet? At the same time, be aware that different people have different needs, and for some people, straws are an essential part of their daily living. Are your actions or decisions hindering other people's independence?"

Most of all, listen to people with disabilities when they raise issues and recognize that they understand their bodies and accessibility needs. Coffee shops have long been spaces where people congregate to challenge the status quo, and as such, they are uniquely equipped to make sure the fight against plastic waste prioritizes the needs of people with disabilities.

RJ Joseph (@RJ_Sproseph) is a Sprudge staff writer, publisher of Queer Cup, and coffee professional based in the Bay Area. Read more RJ Joseph on Sprudge Media Network.

Top image © dark_blade / Adobe Stock.

*Correction: An earlier version of this article unintentionally misrepresented Lonely Whale's position on disability rights in relation to the group's straw ban campaign. Sprudge regrets the error, and the paragraph in question has been updated. In addition, below please find a statement from Lonely Whale, received after this story was originally published:

Lonely Whale's movement For A #StrawlessOcean has worked to advocate for the needs of those in the disability community who require a straw to drink. We are committed to working with the disability community to ensure that voluntary adoption of our campaign is inclusive, to identify plastic straw alternatives that work for everyone, and to make these alternatives are readily available at any establishment. We believe that with thoughtful dialogue between environmental and disability communities we can address the growing plastic pollution crisis without compromising the needs of the disability community. We welcome the opportunity to speak further with those who represent the disability community at large to ensure any opportunity we have to advocate for more inclusive policy language proposed by cities, counties and states and voluntary change in response to our campaigns protect the accessibility rights for those within the disability community.

-statement from Lonely Whale.

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Straw Ban Or Straw Man? Why Plastic Straw Bans Aren't The Answer

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How the straw ban affects people with disabilities.

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#1 Self driving cars are very cost-saving

#2 Self-driving cars are far cheaper than regular cars being spent $800,000,000,000 in one year with regular cars. Since car crashes happen less with self-driving cars the car crash costs will severely decrease. Society will save money for taxes to go to charities and hospitals with people in need. With all the extra money the government will have will help with YOUR safety will more jobs to offer including first-responders. This is why self-driving cars are cost-saving.

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A study of captive chimpanzees found that “abnormal behaviour is endemic in the population” and includes behaviors such as eating feces, twitching, rocking back and forth, plucking hair, pacing, vomiting, and self-mutilation. The study concluded that the cause of such behavior could be mental health issues.

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Even children who don't jump are at risk, he says, describing a young girl who promised her parents she would stay off trampolines entirely. True to her word, the girl sat on the sidelines, watching her friends, until one child bounced off, landing on the bystander and breaking her arm.

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The bounce is smoother and feels more controlled on spring free trampolines. it is also a WAY safer option even though it is more pricey.

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https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/putting-a-stop-to-wildlife-trafficking-aza-ending-illegal-trade

Zoos can help animals from illegal hunting and trafficking. Many people kill animals like elephants and turtles to sell them for money. AZA is helping animals from trafficking. This company also helps animals live in safer zoos for them. AZA is an amazing company for animals. If we put endangerd animals in zoos we could be able to help some of them for illegal hunting and trafficking.

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities are in a unique position to educate the general public on what wildlife trafficking looks like, and how each and every person can play a role in putting an end to it. That’s why the organization has been conducting research to understand public sentiment, educate people, and spur action to put an end to the trade.

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Captive elephants live about half as long as wild elephants: 18.9 years versus 41.7 years for Asian elephants and 16.9 years versus 35.8 years for African elephants. Of 77 elephants in 13 zoos, 71 were overweight and spent 83% of their time indoors, contributing to early death.

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More than 800,000 children sustained trampoline injuries in the U.S. between 2009 and 2018, most of whom were under the age of 16, according to a 2022 report using a national database and published in Pediatric Emergency Care. Most of these injuries occurred at the children's own homes. Of these injuries, 34% were long bone fractures in the lower and upper extremities. Radius and ulna fractures were the most common — usually the result of a fall on an outstretched hand.

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To avoid trampoline injuries, don't attempt to perform any tricks or stunts that are beyond your abilities. Start with basic jumps and progress slowly. Attempting tricks or stunts beyond your abilities can lead to serious injuries.

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About 70% of adult male gorillas in North America have heart disease, the leading cause of death among gorillas in captivity, although the condition is almost completely absent in the wild. Other great apes have similar health problems in captivity.

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Robotic cars have been in the works for 10 years and the industry behind them has spent over DKK 40 billion (about $5.7 billion) to push their development. Yet the outcome has been cars that still drive with many mistakes, blocking other drivers and disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.

https://www.futurity.org/self-driving-cars-traffic-2925602/#:~:text=Robotic%20cars%20have%20been%20in,the%20smooth%20flow%20of%20traffic.

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Self-driving cars are bad at the social part of traffic

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Self-driving cars fall short when it comes to understanding the social codes in traffic that tell human drivers to yield or continue driving.

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Trampolines are designed for one person at a time. Don't attempt to jump with more than one person on the trampoline at a time. Failure to follow this trampoline safety tip can cause collisions and serious injuries.

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The modern drinking straw was invented for a reason. The plastic straws became increasingly cheaper to produce after World War ll. Plastic straws play a huge role for people who have disabilities, because of the flexibility in the plastic straw, they can move easily to the straw. Humans have needed a assisting tube to drink in the earliest indications. That's why the modern drinking straw was invented for a reason.

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The Plastic vs. Paper Straw Debate, Explained

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Trump signed an Executive Order to end the use of paper straws. Here’s what to know about the history of plastic straws.

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3,979 incidents involving self-driving cars, with 496 reported injuries and fatalities, including 83 fatalities

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According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2018, there were more than 18,000 injuries associated with bounce houses treated in hospital emergency rooms.

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We spend about $5.7 billion on self-driving cars. One reason that people do this is because they want to push their development. Even though they are so very expensive the outcome is that they have many mistakes and block out her drivers. A final reason is that the cars can get mistaken and go the wrong way if the fog is too bad and the car can have malfunctions easily. These are some reasons why you should not spend all that money on a non-trustworthy car.

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Self-driving cars are bad at the social part of traffic

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Self-driving cars fall short when it comes to understanding the social codes in traffic that tell human drivers to yield or continue driving.

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A study of 35 species of carnivores, including brown bears, cheetahs, and lions, found that zoo enclosures were too small for the animals to carry out their normal routines, which led to problems such as pacing and increased infant deaths. Polar bears, for example, had an infant mortality rate of 65% due to small enclosures.

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The vast majority of the animals held captive inside their compounds are depressed. They live in perpetual captivity and lack access to all of the things that make life interesting and enjoyable. Often, they die far earlier than they would if they lived in nature. As it turns out, zoos do far more harm than good.

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When self driving cars are made 5 million jobs could be lost like Truck drivers, taxi drivers, bus drivers and rideshare drivers

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Provide careful adult supervision and instruction and ensure that jumpers follow proper safety measures at all times. This is important for both recreational trampoline jumping and for more structured trampoline activities—such as physical education classes, competitive gymnastics, and diving training.

Do not allow a child younger than 6 years old to use a trampoline.

Allow only one person at a time on the trampoline.

Do not depend on a safety net enclosure alone to prevent injuries; the majority of injuries actually occur on the mat of the trampoline.

Ensure that spotters are present when participants are jumping.

Do not allow participants to perform somersaults or other high-risk maneuvers without proper supervision and instruction. In addition, these maneuvers should never be attempted without the proper use of protective equipment, such as a harness.

Always place trampolines at ground level; a fall from a higher surface increases the risk of injury.

Remove trampoline ladders after use to prevent young children from climbing in and jumping without supervision.

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Spring free trampolines are a better option to stay safe.

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1. Joseph B. Friedman originally made the Flex Straw for people with disabilities. They were originally made for disability aids and were used in the hospital. These were made so that people could drink easier. They helped people who were reclined to be able to drink water. The Flex Straw, originally made by Joseph B. Friedman, was made for people with disabilities.

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A movement to ban disposable plastic straws is sweeping the US after gaining traction in cities and countries across the world, finding widespread attention after Starbucks announced it would phase out disposable straws by 2020. However, according to disability rights advocates, banning disposable plastic straws, which were originally created as disability aides, presents unacceptable barriers for people with many disabilities. Aided by a widespread desire for meaningful environmental change and a viral video of a sea turtle with a plastic straw stuck in its nose, plastic straw bans have been celebrated by individuals, companies, and legislators as a positive and necessary move towards widespread environmental change. But do plastic straw bans really represent meaningful change-and if so, at what cost? According to those affected and a growing pool of evidence, plastic straw bans not only fail to accommodate people with various disabilities, they also fail to create the meaningful positive environmental change they claim to prioritize.

The Numbers

Straw bans have been framed by many as a necessary first step toward reducing rid of plastic waste, and even those who acknowledge the challenges plastic straw bans present to elderly and disabled individuals have framed straw bans as a choice between access and the environment. But it's important to consider the numbers when thinking about those impacts.

How much do disposable plastic straws really contribute to the world's plastic waste and overall pollution? According to a recent report by environmental group Better Alternatives Now (BAN), plastic straws and stirrers (grouped together in this report but not in all bans) comprised about 7% of plastic items found along the California coastline, by piece. Compared to plastic bags at 9% or plastic bottle caps at 17%, it's a not-insignificant chunk of plastic. However, when taken by weight, a report by Jambeck Research Group places plastic straws at only .03% of aggregate plastic in the oceans themselves, suggesting that straws' lightness and buoyancy lead them to end up overrepresented on the coastline.

Perhaps even more saliently, a recent survey by Ocean Cleanup estimated that nearly half of the plastic waste found in the oceans' largest garbage patch comes from fishing nets, primarily commercial ones. These numbers point to what disability rights advocates have said about straw bans: while the bans have enormous potential to harm the elderly and disabled, they bring about neither the dramatic reductions in plastic that curtailing activities of corporate polluters would effect, nor the smaller yet harmless reductions that bans on items like plastic balloons and plastic shopping bags bring about.

Also significant to note about the BAN report is that products labeled as biodegradable or compostable plastics are not, in fact, actually biodegradable in an earth or ocean environment. Many are moving toward biodegradable plastic straws as a substitute for current plastic models, but according to data, those not only do not come with any actual impact on ocean plastics, they also bring additional challenges of potentially fatal food allergies and reduced durability into the lives of disabled straw-users.

Another salient point many have made is that plastic conservation efforts have many other starting points that don't target accessibility aides. Plastic straws were chosen as a social media campaign), who have symbolic starting point by environmental advocacy group Lonely Whale (originator of the #stopsucking acknowledged in multiple interviews that straw bans present potential problems for people with disabilities. Lonely Whale did not respond to my request before press time-a statement from the group has been added to the end of this article*-but resources including the group's staff training .pdf clearly outline the need for acknowledging the complex issue straw bans present to disability rights.

Kim Sauder, a Toronto-based disability rights advocate and PhD student in Disability Studies, wants people to recognize that they aren't choosing between disability access and the environment. "That legitimizes the idea that a straw ban will achieve something. It ignores the reality that a straw ban won't do what legislators say it will. The 'conversation' they are starting really boils down to what people will accept as success and the harms they will justify in the name of that." According to Sauder, many who have pushed for straw bans appear to be totally okay with what even its biggest champions deem a symbolic victory against pollution, even when it comes at the very real expense of disability access.
Potential for Harm
While plastic straws have become a go-to for all types of customers in cafes, bars, and restaurants, they were originally invented as a disability aid and used in hospitals. Joseph B. Friedman created and sold the first disposable bendy straws as a tool to help reclined patients, as well as people with assorted other disabilities, drink easily from cups. Sold as the Flex-Straw, they were and still are an inexpensive, temperature-resistant, sturdy, and sanitary alternative to the reusable silicone feeding tubes which were in heavy rotation before their advent. They achieved mainstream popularity because the design was superior to existing alternatives for all people, not just people with disabilities.

As disability rights advocates have pointed out, all current substitutes fail to meet the same standard of universal design. Compostable alternatives lack the same sturdiness, making them too easy to chew through or choke on for people with limited jaw mobility and (in the case of paper straws) too flimsy for people with longer drinking periods. Reusable alternatives present problems too; not only would people with disabilities need to carry them around on top of other medical necessities, they're also difficult to wash, dangerously unsanitary if not properly washed, conduct heat and cold, and present cutting risks. With the current selections of alternatives on the market, if establishments don't have a stash of plastic straws in-house, they risk creating situations where people with specific disabilities either can't drink safely, or can't drink at all.

"Plastic bendy straws provide me with a basic needs that everyone else has access to," says Jae Kim, a straw-user and social work intern at Seattle's Arc of King County. "They became a part of me that I can't lose. Without them, I can't consume any liquids and it is the biggest, scariest concern I have."

Sauder argues that it's the responsibility of legislators and straw manufacturers to ensure that they create a truly viable alternative that works for all before banning the disposable plastic options that currently serve everyone's needs, pointing out that it shouldn't be on people with disabilities to lose essential access tools in order to support symbolic legislation. Kim wants non-disabled people to think about how that experience would feel. "How would your life look if you needed to go through barriers just to have a sip of water?"

Case Studies: Seattle, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara

Many governments implementing straw bans have built in disability exemptions, but those too can present serious problems if not worded correctly. In order to make sure that people who need plastic straws can access them, laws need to include clauses that specifically mandate keeping plastic straws in-house with signage to let people know about they're available, rather than simply exempting businesses who want to accommodate disabled patrons.

The first US city to pass straw ban legislation was Seattle, where the legislation passed with an disability exemption that was widely criticized for not being stronger. According to Seattle Disability Commission co-chair Shaun Bickley, Seattle Public Utilities failed to reach out to the Disability Commission for feedback prior to passing the legislation, and then passed a ban with an exemption that allowed-but did not require-businesses to serve flexible plastic straws to patrons with disabilities. Last week, in light of the many voices drawing attention to the issues with the exemption, they issued a statement to "food packaging and serviceware stakeholders" detailing the new legislation as well as emphasizing that "SPU provides the above listed exemption and also encourages food service businesses to keep a supply of flexible plastic straws available for customers with a physical or medical condition. We would appreciate if distributors and associations would inform your customers and members of this exemption and to share our encouragement that they maintain a supply of flexible plastic straws for this purpose."

San Francisco also passed straw ban legislation with a disability exemption stipulating that businesses are allowed to make exemptions for people who need them, rather than mandating that they accommodate people with disabilities. This was criticized by many in the disabled community because, as proven with countless ADA requirements, many businesses accommodate people with disabilities only when required by law. According to Supervisor Katy Tang, the legislation is currently being amended to include more specific language around disability access.

"Legislation does not typically spell out every detail for implementation. The intent behind our originally included a clause regarding the disabilities community is that restaurants/retailers would indeed need to have some plastic straws on hand for those who request them due to a medical reason," Tang told me via email. "The ADA is broad enough in that all places of public accommodation should be making reasonable efforts to accommodate those with disabilities in every way possible."

Much more extreme is the legislation introduced in Santa Barbara, which not only prohibits any business or individual from handing out plastic straws-including compostable plastic straws, which are the closest alternative for people who need to use straws due to disability-it actually punishes repeat offenders with heavy fines and jail time. For providers to get a disability exemption, they must apply to the city of Santa Barbara for an exemption due to "medical necessity," an extra step that makes it that much harder and more expensive for businesses to serve customers with disabilities. I have not been able to get comments from anyone involved in the Santa Barbara legislation.

Legislation aside, owner of Washington's One Cup Coffee Tonia Hume plans to make sure her patrons with disabilities have everything they need to have a positive experience. Hearing rumors of the impending straw ban, Hume swapped the plastic straws at her four locations for biodegradable plastic straws; once the ban passed, she learned of the issues people with various disabilities were expressing and is now committed to making sure they're able to access her space just as easily as before. "We had plastic straws that didn't bend before, so making the swap to compostable was no big deal," she said. Once she found out that bendy straws were crucial to many, she committed to making sure they're available in all locations at all times. "You want to be a place that's welcoming to everybody," she said.

San Francisco's Wrecking Ball Coffee also that in light of the ban, they will now carry two types of straws, with a request that patrons use compostable straws unless they need plastic bendy straws. "We were always proud that we had compostable straws at WB, but when SF began discussing a plastic straw ban, we looked a little deeper," Wrecking Ball co-founder Trish Rothgeb told me by email. Hearing the voices of the disabled community, they added plastic bendy straws to their condiment bar. "It's not up to the baristas to police the situation. We can't assume we know a person's needs by looking at them. Will a kid get a straw because it's fun, when it's really not meant for them? Most probably, but it's a small price to pay for making sure every guest gets what they need without any judgement or extra work on their part."

What You Can Do

Whether you live in a place with a straw ban or not, there's a lot you can do, both for the environment and for people with disabilities that will be affected by straw bans.

If you live in an area with a straw ban and own, manage, or work in a business that serves beverages, make sure to keep a stash of plastic bendy straws for patrons with disabilities that need them-ideally right in the condiment area with adequate signage, like Wrecking Ball now does. If you live in an area that is pushing for a straw ban, contact your legislators and fight for a disability accommodation mandate, rather than just an exemption.

In addition, if you're a non-disabled person who wants to help the environment, do what you can to take personal responsibility for your own use of reusable and sustainable materials for as many of your daily activities as possible. "Are you cognitive of the environmental impact you may contribute in all aspects of life," asks organizer and Seattle Disability Commission chair Khazm Kogita. "How can you strive to minimize your footprint on the planet? At the same time, be aware that different people have different needs, and for some people, straws are an essential part of their daily living. Are your actions or decisions hindering other people's independence?"

Most of all, listen to people with disabilities when they raise issues and recognize that they understand their bodies and accessibility needs. Coffee shops have long been spaces where people congregate to challenge the status quo, and as such, they are uniquely equipped to make sure the fight against plastic waste prioritizes the needs of people with disabilities.

RJ Joseph (@RJ_Sproseph) is a Sprudge staff writer, publisher of Queer Cup, and coffee professional based in the Bay Area. Read more RJ Joseph on Sprudge Media Network.

Top image © dark_blade / Adobe Stock.

*Correction: An earlier version of this article unintentionally misrepresented Lonely Whale's position on disability rights in relation to the group's straw ban campaign. Sprudge regrets the error, and the paragraph in question has been updated. In addition, below please find a statement from Lonely Whale, received after this story was originally published:

Lonely Whale's movement For A #StrawlessOcean has worked to advocate for the needs of those in the disability community who require a straw to drink. We are committed to working with the disability community to ensure that voluntary adoption of our campaign is inclusive, to identify plastic straw alternatives that work for everyone, and to make these alternatives are readily available at any establishment. We believe that with thoughtful dialogue between environmental and disability communities we can address the growing plastic pollution crisis without compromising the needs of the disability community. We welcome the opportunity to speak further with those who represent the disability community at large to ensure any opportunity we have to advocate for more inclusive policy language proposed by cities, counties and states and voluntary change in response to our campaigns protect the accessibility rights for those within the disability community.

-statement from Lonely Whale.

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Straw Ban Or Straw Man? Why Plastic Straw Bans Aren't The Answer

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How the straw ban affects people with disabilities.

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Jot #2   What can I do to protect my child?

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Jot #2   What can I do to protect my child?

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First, it is important to understand the risk associated with playing on a trampoline. Because toddlers and preschoolers face the greatest risks for trampoline injuries, kids under 6 should NEVER jump.To avoid any accidents you should.Wait until they're at least 6 years old. Even spaces that seem safe—for example, bouncy houses and foam pits—can be dangerous for little ones.Read the waiver and understand the risks and what activities are allowed and not allowed at the trampoline park.Stick close to your child. There's less chance they'll make extreme moves with your eyes on them.

I think this means that you should follow all the rules. Also you should understand the risk of getting injured. Also that its not the trampoline parks fault and its yours for doing something dangerous. You also signed a waiver that you understand the risk. So that's what you should do to protect your child at the trampoline park

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I know the risk of trampolines here's why I got one anyway.

Bikes, scooters, and skateboards all send kids to the E.R too.

50,000 kids go to the E.R for skateboards.

50,000 more go to the E.R for scooters.

In 2013 they reported that approximately 192,000 kids went to the ER for bicycle accidents.

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#1 Environmental gains

#2 Self-driving cars are better for the environment. the gases are less used. self-driving cars use electricity. Fewer traffic jams save fuel and reduce greenhouse gases from needless idling. That is why self-driving cars are better for the environment.

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https://www.aza.org/connect-stories/stories/benefits-of-zoos

Zoos are very beneficial. Zoos help humans learn about animals so they can take care of wildlife and make the world a better place. Zoos helps animals soooo much they protect endangered animals like I said before there would not be as much animals on the earth. Some would die if they go back like sometimes animals have to stay in a zoo because if a animal cant hunt are run they are going to die. that's why zoos are beneficial.

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Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited (AZA) facilities are beneficial because of the high standards they exemplify in animal welfare, conservation, research, education, and recreation. All AZA-accredited facilities must meet the Association's rigorous, scientifically based, and publicly-available standards that cover a facility's entire operation, including animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, guest experiences, and more.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species is the most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus, and plant species. Visitors to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums can see many species listed on the IUCN Red List as threatened with extinction, some of which are being managed under AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs.

How Do Zoos and Aquariums Aid In Animal Conservation?

In 2019, AZA and its members spent more than $230 million on field conservation work in 127 countries, focusing on population biology and monitoring, reintroduction, conservation education, and more.

AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction, the Association's flagship conservation program, brings AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums together to focus their collective expertise and leverage their massive audiences to save species like sea turtles and American red wolves. There are currently 28 SAFE species engaging more than 300 partner organizations in the work of saving species.

Engaging zoo and aquarium visitors is a key part of SAFE species programs and other AZA education programming like Party for the Planet™: Spring into Action. In 2019, Party for the Planet™: Spring into Action supported members in offering inclusive family-friendly volunteer opportunities with a direct impact on the planet. Members offered events like pollinator garden plantings, invasive species removal, and beach clean-ups.

Zoos and Aquariums Protect Endangered Species

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums help reintroduce animals into the wild. In 1982, California condors were on the brink of extinction with only 22 birds remaining in the wild. In 1985, only nine birds remained. In 1987, the California Condor Recovery Program was established as a collaborative program with the San Diego Zoo in San Diego, Calif., the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish and Game, the National Audubon Society, and the Los Angeles Zoo in Los Angeles, Calif. Condors were bred and the young then raised by people wearing hand puppets that mimicked adult birds to avoid young condors imprinting on their caregivers. In 1992, the first condors bred in managed care were released into the wild in California. The population of California condors has now grown to more than 400 birds, including 240 condors living in the wild. Conservation success stories like this and many others are only possible with the help of zoos and aquariums.

AZA, its members, and other partners work together to maintain healthy populations of species in managed care through SSP programs and Global Species Management Plans. These programs strive to professionally and cooperatively manage populations among AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums through breeding and transfer recommendations. SSP programs identify population management goals and assure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied population.

Repairing Ecosystems

AZA-accredited facilities restore habitats to support reintroduction and rehabilitation programs for a variety of species, including critically endangered orangutans. Orangutans are threatened by habitat loss due to unsustainably grown palm oil. The AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction orangutan program was launched in 2018 to focus on these threats to assist in the recovery of the species. CREATE (Corridor Restoration for Animals Threatened and Endangered), a project started by the Kansas City Zoo in Kansas City, Mo., and in partnership with APE Malaysia, is an example of one partnership supported by the AZA SAFE orangutan program. By hiring local community members to plant, maintain, and grow trees to connect wildlife corridors, CREATE supports the local economy and repairs ecosystems. In November 2018, a team of AZA experts from four AZA-accredited zoos traveled to Northeast Borneo to help with habitat restoration efforts and offer training to enhance animal welfare at a local zoo.

Rehabilitation

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums frequently work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to help rescue, rehabilitate, and care for wild animals like sea turtles, manatees, and sea otters until they can be released back into the wild.

The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, EPCOT's Living Seas, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, SeaWorld Orlando, and SeaWorld San Diego partner on the USFWS Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. These facilities provide critical care to injured and cold-stunned manatees and assist partners in their release.

Are Zoos and Aquariums Educational?

In 2019, 138 AZA-accredited facilities delivered 2,500 education programs covering topics like habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Forty percent of guests reached by education programming participated in activities like nature play spaces and discovery carts or were engaged by exhibits interpreters.

Changing consumer behavior can be a powerful tool in the conservation arsenal. AZA members, like Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Spring, Colo., and Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, Calif., have developed smartphone applications that help consumers make educated choices about sustainable palm oil and sustainable seafood choices. Palm oil is used in many everyday products and when used from sustainable sources can provide real economic benefits. When it comes from unsustainable sources it is a key cause of deforestation, impacting many species like orangutans and tigers. Likewise, consuming sustainable seafood provides a valuable source of food for people and helps promote sustainable jobs. When fishing is unsustainable, it can cause real damage to ocean environments, lead to dramatic collapses in populations of aquatic species, and damage or eliminate once-healthy fisheries.

When COVID-19 caused many members to shut down, AZA-accredited members moved their educational programming online. You can find many of these educational resources on AZA's website.

AZA and its members also offer a variety of citizen science projects that allows the public to contribute to scientific research in their community.

How Do Zoos and Aquariums Aid in Animal Research?

AZA's Annual Report of Conservation and Science documents the field conservation efforts, education programs, green (sustainable) business practices, and research projects at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and certified related facilities.

In 2019, AZA-accredited facilities invested over $26 million on research and studied over 560 species and subspecies. Animal care, health, and welfare (45%) are the AZA community's most common focus of research followed by basic biology (21%). Together, these two disciplines comprised nearly two-thirds of the AZA community's research.

Other research explored species and habitat conservation (focused primarily on populations in the wild or those being prepared for reintroduction into the wild; 12%), sustainable animal collections (focused primarily on populations held in human care; 10%), and conservation education and public engagement (6%).

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums conduct or facilitate research in both in situ and ex situ settings that advance scientific knowledge of the animals in their care, enhances the conservation of wild populations, and engages and inspires the visiting public.

Ecology

AZA members have access to diverse animal populations and research their behaviors and their biological, physiological, and psychological needs. This increases our understanding of the animals' roles and needs in the wild and in managed care. AZA's Research and Technology Committee, Wildlife Conservation Committee and Scientific Advisory Groups bring together professionals with the expertise to help drive animal care, conservation, research, and best practices in zoos and aquariums. By studying how species in their care and species in the wild interact with other species and their environments, AZA members are able to use ecology research to address species conservation problems and preserve ecosystem health and biodiversity.

The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute's Conservation Ecology Center develops new and advanced analytical tools to study and model how ecosystems and species interact with their environment and how these systems respond to global changes. One example of ecology research that has aided in species reintroduction is the swift fox program, in which swift foxes have been reintroduced to the grasslands of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Montana after an absence of more than 50 years.

Educating the public on the ecological niche these animals occupy and about the wild habitats they inhabit creates a strong connection with guests and enables zoos and aquariums to share the conservation story.

Biodiversity

Research and conservation projects conducted by AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums improve biodiversity. AZA members are contributing to scientific discoveries about how animals in their care are vulnerable to climate change, habitat loss, and other threats. AZA members understand that work to save one species often protects many others in an ecosystem. Many AZA-accredited facilities, like the Wildlife Conservation Society and San Diego Zoo, as well as the Disney Conservation Fund, work with global conservation efforts to research and promote biodiversity.

How You Can Help a Zoo or Aquarium Near You

Visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums page to find an AZA-accredited facility near you. Follow your favorite zoos and aquariums on social media to keep up with their animals and their conservation efforts. You can also join your local facility as a member, or donate to help zoos and aquariums feed their animals, pay their staff, and continue their conservation work.
Photo Credit: © Julie Larsen Maher, WCS
KARLYN MARCY IS THE DIGITAL MEDIA COORDINATOR AT THE ASSOCIATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS.

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Are zoos good? AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums protect animals, conserve endangered species, and help ecosystems recover by means of breeding programs, rehabilitation, and more.

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#1 self-driving cars the pros and cons of automated vehicles

#2 self-driving cars have better transportation and access. For those who like not to drive or can't drive, self-driving cars are perfect. Self-driving cars can also get you to places fast and quick. they are also a help to those with disabilities and can't get to places as quickly. That is why self-driving cars can help get around quick and fast.

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There is a concern about self-driving cars because they use computers and computer hackers can easily hack into it. It can be very easily exploited by people who know how to hack. This happened in Las Vegas when 2 guys hacked into a Tesla Model S to test the strength of the security. So if self-driving cars become more famous, hackers would be having some fun.

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Before jumping, ensure that the trampoline's supporting bars, springs, and surrounding landing surfaces are covered in adequate protective padding. All padding should be in good condition and positioned appropriately.

Check equipment regularly for tears, detachments, and deterioration. Discard worn or damaged equipment if replacement parts are not available.

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Jot #2 Article title: Zoos are like prisons.

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Jot #2 Article title: Zoos are like prisons.

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Zoos are like prisons. One reason is that they live in very different conditions from those in which they live in the wild. Captivity suppresses the natural instincts of wild animals. Animals suffer permanent frustration because they have no freedom of choice and cannot behave as they would do in their real environment. These reasons show why zoos are like prisons.

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Animals exhibited in these facilities are subject to complete control and live in very different conditions from those in which they…

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The last plastic straw movement

I think the main idea is that they are trying to tell me that there are not many plastic straws left in the environment. One reason is that they are killing many animals every year.Another reason is that they can cause problems with pollution and animals and people.Last reason is that it is a problem for waterways.This shows that they are getting rid of them cause of the damage it can do.

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trampoline parks are also a easy place for kidnappers to steal a child and run of with them

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Causes of trampolines injures for kids under the age of 6

1. Falling on the trampoline mat, frame, or springs

2. Attempting somersaults, flips, and other risky stunts that go wrong 3.Falling off the trampoline onto the ground or another hard surface

Causes of trampolines injures for kids under the age of 6.

Falling on the trampoline mat, frame, or springs. Attempting somersaults, flips, and other risky stunts that go wrong.

Falling off the trampoline onto the ground or another hard surface. The injures of kids under the age of 6 gets hurt a lot in a trampoline park.

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Trampoline Injury Prevention and Safety - OrthoInfo - AAOS

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Most trampoline injuries occur on home trampolines and more than 90% are sustained by children. To help prevent trampoline injuries, maintain your trampoline and provide careful adult supervision.

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Zoos are helping save wildlife.

Breeding programs help preserve genetic biodiversity and help reintroduce critically endangered species into the wild. Having animals in protection helps make sure there is not a population crash. Zoos have helped save species from the endangered species list and many from extinction. That's how zoos are helping save wildlife.

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Oftentimes zoos and aquariums can get bad press which sparks the debate over how beneficial they are for wildlife. While we can't deny there are a couple of bad apples in the mix, the majority of zoos help enrich the lives of animals in many different ways. Many zoos do more than just connect people with nature; they also exist to facilitate and promote animal conversation. If you're wondering how zoos improve the lives of animals, this blog is for you!

Protection Against Extinction

It's sad to say, but the world is currently going through a mass extinction due to human activities encroaching on wildlife. A study published by Science Advances in 2020 found that human population and activity has caused rapid global mammal extinctions over the past 126,000 years. Even currently, many species are going extinct across the globe, and many more are facing the threat of extinction. Modern zoos and aquariums help combat these problems. Breeding programs help preserve genetic biodiversity and help reintroduce critically endangered species into the wild. Having animals in protection provides a reservoir against a population crash in the wild. Zoos have helped remove animals from the endangered species list and have saved many from extinction. Without the efforts of zoos, there would be fewer animal species alive today!

Zoo's Research Helps Wildlife

In order to reintroduce animals into the wild and repair the ecosystem, we need to understand how certain animals live and act. Studying animals in zoos can create real positive change for wildlife populations. Even if animals in zoos are never introduced to the wild, they still help improve the lives of their counterparts living in nature. Modern zoos act as a place for observation and research to study issues such as animal disease or infection and to help develop treatments.

Zoos Care for Their Animals

While there are many underfunded and neglectful zoos out there, the good ones positively contribute to the animals' health and well-being. Animals can have a quality of life as high or higher than in the wild. They don't suffer from the stress and threat of predators, the pain of parasites, injury, or illness, and they won't suffer from starvation or drought. Instead, they enjoy a peaceful life with a high-quality diet filled with all of the supplements they need. They won't have to endure the bullying or social ostracism that often happens in nature. Many dreadfulthings happen in the wild that aren't present in zoos.

The Children's Nature Retreat

We hope this blog has helped give you an understanding of how zoos improve the lives of animals! With the ongoing threat to wildlife environments and the many benefits that come with zoos, it's safe to say that they're essential to the long-term survival of many species. Not only can zoos help protect, breed, and reintroduce animals, but we can learn about them to help create a better world for them.

At the Children's Nature Retreat, many of our animals have been acquired from owners who could no longer keep or care for them. Some have been rescued from harsh living conditions and now enjoy the serenity of the Retreat. If you want to say "hi" to some of our animal friends, We have over 200 animals, We are open 7 days a week, no reservations required. You can visit us at 5178 Japatul Spur Alpine, CA 91901, or get in touch by calling (619) 320-4942 or contacting us on our website.

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How Zoos Improve the Lives of Animals Oftentimes zoos and aquariums can get bad press which sparks the debate over how beneficial they are for wildlife. While we can't deny there are a couple of bad apples

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Zoo's should be banned. Around 600,000 birds and mammals are trapped in zoo's. Eighty percent of zoo animals have depression. Elephants in the wild live 3 times longer than in zoo's. Zoo's should be banned, on the website there was a pole and 61% percent voted zoo's should be banned.

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Zoos hold a special place in most people's hearts. Many have childhood memories of going to the zoo and standing in awe of the magnificent creatures. I'm sure many of us in Sutton have all visited the beloved Southwick Zoo in Mendon. In fact, over 181 million people visit a U.S. zoo every year. For many people, zoos are the only chance they have to see and connect with wildlife.

Are zoos more bad than good? Is it an imprisonment for the animals? Do zoos negatively affect the ecosystem? And should the government intervene or are they not as bad as we may think?

It is important to first establish that all zoos in each state in the country are run differently. Zoos vary widely on how they treat their animals. It is difficult to get a true understanding about how all zoos work. There is a massive widespread opinion about zoos, and lots of misconceptions and myths. Still, all zoos have pros and cons...
Pros
Zoos all over the world have embraced the mission of saving endangered animals. They want to provide entertainment, but they are greatly concerned with the protection and conservation of animals and their natural habitats.

They provide a protected environment for endangered animals, and help raise awareness and funding for wildlife initiatives and research projects. In fact, should zoos be banned, many species would go extinct. In a world faced with global challenges such as climate change and habitat loss, conservation efforts are crucial to ensure that endangered animals do not go extinct. A primary benefit of zoos is that they provide immense support to global conservation efforts through captive breeding programs.

There are approximately 900 species of animals classified as endangered that zoos are helping to get off that list. Efforts by zoos to conserve species have resulted in saving at least 48 mammals and birds from extinction since the early 1990s. The rates of extinction would have been three or four times higher if actions like captive breeding had not been taken. Also, zoos are a main contributor to wildlife conservation. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in 2020, zoos set aside $230 million from their annual budget for wildlife conservation.

Zoos help educate the public about animals and their habitats. A survey showed that 35 percent of eco-friendly people learned sustainable behavior from zoos. That isn't all that the AZA has done for our education of wildlife. 5.5 million individuals were reached through field trips, outreach programs and education resources. 124 facilities reported more than 1,200 education programs that include content about connecting to nature, reaching more than 33 million. They have, in addition, offered programs for teacher development, helping over 96,000 teachers.

Zoos are a great way for people to get out of the house and off of mindless technology. They are cheap and affordable, educational for the kids, and bring lots of fun and enjoyment for everyone.

Zoos are also crucial to our research on animals and their habitats. Breakthroughs in animal behavior and treatment, like why elephants swing their trunks or how gorillas develop heart disease, have been made possible because of zoos' ease of access. There are many misconceptions about zoos that self-made 'experts' make up. Kyle Banton-Jones, a zookeeper and animal welfare professional, debunks many of these rumors.

A common misconception is "animals being lonely [from living in zoos] and needing a friend." While humans are extremely social animals and one of the worst things you can do to us is put us in solitary confinement, this is not the case for many animals. Many animals in the wild are completely solitary and only spend time with one another to mate.

Another myth is that "animals are not well cared for." However, almost all zookeeper positions require a Bachelor's degree and it is extremely difficult to get hired. Zoos only hire the best to take care of their animals meaning they are very competitive. Being a zookeeper is also not a high paying job, which means that almost all of the people who pursue that line of work are doing so out of love of the animals and their work.

Zoos are also always being monitored by big governing bodies, like the AZA, which hold zoos to the highest standards for their animals' care. Moreover, zoos are immensely important to the economy with each zoo providing at least 198,000 jobs and providing around 2.25 billion dollars.
Cons
Not all zoos have ample space to provide their animals; many zoos cram in as many animals as possible into the enclosures.

Tigers and lions have around 18,000 times less space in zoos than they would in the wild. Polar bears have one million times less space.

Additionally, exhibits in zoos are a far cry from the natural landscape they are trying to imitate. Nearly all zoo enclosures contain fences, glass or other barriers for visitors to look through, which are inherently artificial. According to the World Animal Foundation, "zoos don't provide suitable environments for the animals, because they are kept in small, confined spaces where their needs aren't met. Many animals are ignored and may even die prematurely."

The lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions can directly affect the behavior of animals, most notably in the form of what's known as "stereotypy." Stereotypy is often obsessive, repetitive actions that serve no purpose and it is mostly due to human involvement. Some actions include pacing, rocking back and forth, over-grooming, hair-pulling and feather-plucking, eating disorders, playing with excrement, vomiting, self-harm, swaying, head-bobbing, and circling.

Many animals die prematurely and don't live a normal full life. For example, 40% of lion cubs die before one month of age and elephants in the wild live more than three times as long as those kept in zoos. According to National Geographic, nearly 80 percent of zoo animals have symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Zookeepers argue that they are protecting animals from extinction, but sometimes extinction is just part of the natural cycle. There is a heart-wrenching number of animals that are kept in zoos. Around 600,000 birds and mammals are captive in zoos.

Additionally, 25% of all birds and 20% of all mammals are located inside zoo enclosures. "Zoos are prisons for animals, camouflaging their cruelty with conservation claims," says Mimi Bekhechi, director of international programs at PETA.

The problem is that these animals belong in the wild. By removing them from their natural environments, you disrupt their natural ecosystems. In contrast, once you capture and hold animals at a zoo, it is very difficult to release them back out into the wild where they belong. The longer the animals are held in captivity, the more crucial knowledge is lost that is required to live in the wild.

In fact, only 14% of captured animals are ever released into the wild. Although, zoos claim to be for saving the environment, they are a big contributor to pollution and use up a lot of resources including energy and water. Aquariums, in particular, can use tons of water.

Many animal activists have brought up different alternatives to zoos including using live video footage. These " virtual zoos " keep no captive animals, instead they use filmed nature content to simulate the experience of being out in the wild amongst other species of animals. Not only is this experience better for wild animals, it has the power to provide an educational experience, since it allows for animals to be seen in their natural habitats, while behaving as they would in the wild.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many different opinions about zoos. Some, like Dale Jamieson, argue that zoos "alleviate our sense of guilt for what we are doing to the planet, but they do little to help the animals we are driving to extinction and zoos exist for humans alone." Others, like Betty White, say that "people forget the good that zoos do. If it weren't for zoos, we would have so many species that would be extinct today."

After evaluating the various pros and cons of zoos, does the scale tip one way or or the other for you?

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Zoos hold a special place in most people's hearts. Many have childhood memories of going to the zoo and standing in awe of the magnificent creatures. I'm sure many of us in Sutton have all visited the beloved Southwick Zoo in Mendon. In fact, over 181 million people visit a U.S.

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Potential problems with self driving cars.

Self driving cars can get hacked. Self driving cars use computer technology and computers can get hacked so the car can get hacked. Hackers can locate the vehicle and take control of it.They note that technology continues advancing, allowing these types of vehicles to require less human intervention. Still, that same technology also allows hackers to take advantage, for criminal purposes or simply for fun. This is why self driving cars can get hacked.

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while trampoline parks are a good way to have fun and work out. It is also an easy way to break a bone. kids are always jumping and not paying attention. if a bigger kid bounces on a trampoline that a smaller kid is on it could double bounce the smaller kid and break a bone.

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Trampoline parks: great way to get the sillies out or injury haven? Or both? This paper attempts to quantify the risk from trampoline parks.

The authors use data from 18 trampoline parks operating in Australia and the Middle East between 2017 and 2019. What I like about this paper is they attempt to quantify the risk per hour, so you get a real sense of not just the existence of risk, but the degree. Also, they make an effort to get really granular in the activities - is dodgeball more dangerous than the foam pit? Basically, this paper takes trampoline park injury and gives it the attention it deserves.

The results: They've got 13,256 injuries reported in 8.3 million jumper-hours; of these, 11% were significant (meaning needing medical attention - a broken bone, laceration, spinal injury). This amounts to a rate of 1.14 injuries per 1,000 jumper-hours, or 0.11 serious injuries for 1,000 jumper-hours.

How large are these effects? There are a few ways to look at it. One way is to say that if you went to the trampoline park every Saturday for two hours, you would expect an injury about once every nine years, and a serious injury about once every 90 years. The authors of the paper also very helpfully put these numbers in context with other sports. The risks are estimated to be only about 5% as high as the rates estimated for Australian children playing football. Trampoline injury rates are comparable to injury rates from tennis playing.

If you do go to the trampoline park, the graph below shows the injury rate by area. Beware the foam pit and the high-performance areas! Slam-dunking, though, seems fine.

Community Guidelines

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Trampoline parks: great way to get the sillies out or injury haven? Or both? This paper attempts to quantify the risk from trampoline parks. The authors use data from 18 trampoline parks operating in Australia and the Middle East between 2017 and 2019. What I like about this paper is they attempt to quantify the ...

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Don't keep fishes as pets

Contrary to popular belief, fishes do not make good first pets for children. The needs of fishes are far more complex than the needs of cats and dogs, making it easy to unwittingly compromise their welfare or create elevated stress levels that can sometimes result in death. Simply over-feeding fishes, moving them or not paying attention to water temperature and acidity levels can have a disastrous result.

Fishes do not want to swim in circles inside a bowl or tank or be put on display like a painting. When we invite animals into our lives and families, it should be mutually beneficial. Fishes gain nothing from being kept in captivity ‒ instead they are deprived of all that is natural to them.

If you already have fishes as pets, you can help them by making their surroundings as close to their natural environment as possible, with plenty of enrichment, places to hide and as much space as you are able to give them.

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Contrary to popular belief, fishes do not make good first pets for children. The needs of fishes are far more complex than the needs of cats and dogs, making it easy to unwittingly compromise their welfare or create elevated stress levels that can sometimes result in death. Simply over-feeding fishes, moving them or not paying attention to water temperature and acidity levels can have a disastrous result.

Fishes do not want to swim in circles inside a bowl or tank or be put on display like a painting. When we invite animals into our lives and families, it should be mutually beneficial. Fishes gain nothing from being kept in captivity ‒ instead they are deprived of all that is natural to them.

If you already have fishes as pets, you can help them by making their surroundings as close to their natural environment as possible, with plenty of enrichment, places to hide and as much space as you are able to give them.

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Say no thanks to fish tanks - SAFE | For Animals

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Contrary to popular belief, fishes do not make good first pets for children. The needs of fishes are far more complex than the needs of cats and dogs, making it easy to unwittingly compromise their welfare or create elevated stress levels that can sometimes result in death.

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I know the risks of trampolines. Here’s why we got one anyway.

trampolines are safer now than when I was a kid. the memories, my kids aren't staring at a screen, and its exercise. trampolines are safer now.

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1. Accessibility Issue For People With Disabilities

2. Many people with disabilities have difficulty drinking without straws due to physical limitations, such as limited mobility or weakened muscles. Alternatives such as paper or metal straws may not be suitable or practical for all individuals, which could prevent disabled people from being able to enjoy their favorite drinks outside of their homes.

3. This is a reason why people with disabilities need plastics straws

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Other common causes of trampoline injuries include:

Falling on the trampoline mat, frame, or springs

Attempting somersaults, flips, and other risky stunts that go wrong

Falling off the trampoline onto the ground or another hard surface

Types of Injuries

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Most trampoline injuries are caused by:

Collisions when multiple people are on the trampoline

Falling off the trampoline edge

Doing a risky stunt, such as a flip

Landing awkwardly

Falling onto the springs of the trampoline

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Common trampoline injuries include:

Cuts and bruises

Sprains and strains, particularly in the ankles, shoulder, knees, and wrists

Fractures, most commonly in the arms and legs

Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIS)

Neck and spinal cord injuries, which can result in paralysis and even death

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Animals Are Trapped in Unnatural Environments

Anyone who has visited a zoo knows the exhibits are a far cry from the natural landscape they are trying to imitate. Nearly all zoo enclosures contain fences, glass or other barriers for visitors to look through, which are inherently artificial. And the natural-seeming landscapes can sometimes be made out of astroturf, concrete or plastic.

Confinement May Alter the Behavior of Animals

The lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions can directly affect the behavior of animals; most notably in the form of what’s known as “stereotypy.” Stereotypy is a condition in which non-human animals engage in repetitive behaviors with no apparent purpose, such as pacing for hours on end, wagging tails abnormally or picking their own fur.

The structure of zoos increases the likelihood of stereotypic behavior due to a lack of enrichment, mundane environments and boring, repetitive schedules. This prevalence of stereotypy in zoos even has its own name: “zoochosis,” or psychosis caused by zoos. this article litterly explains every thing.

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Explainer

Debates about the ethics of zoos abound - but when it comes to animal welfare, there are certainly more cons than pros.

For many people, zoos are the only chance they'll have in their entire lives to see beautiful animals native to far-flung ecosystems - lions, elephants, pandas, lemurs - the list goes on. And they're popular - over 181 million people visit a U.S. zoo every year. But zoos face criticism from animal welfare organizations and environmental activists for inhumane treatment of the animals they claim to protect. Zoos maintain that they are important aspects of conservation and education.

So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of zoos? Let's take a look at the pros and cons of these controversial organizations.

What Are Some Pros and Cons of Zoos?

First, not all zoos are created equal. While it is easy to imagine animal ethics as a binary of evil and moral, zoos can vary widely on how they treat their animals, how much space they are given and how the animals are obtained. Still, most zoos tend to have the same positives and negatives overall.

Arguments Against Zoos

Poor Conditions for Animals
Animals Often Only Have Quite Limited Space
Many zoos' enclosures are too small, especially for animal species that are used to roaming, flying or swimming large distances in the wild. For example, polar bears are used to home ranges of about 1,000 square kilometers in the wild - large swaths of land and ice they enjoy exploring. In zoos, they get a couple hundred square feet.
Zoos Are Crowded
In addition to limited space, many zoos cram in as many animals as possible into the enclosures. Many visitors prefer seeing animals up close, instead of peering at them from afar, hidden in their dens or nests. This encourages zoos to increase the number of animals per exhibit, increasing the likelihood of visitors seeing animals on the move near the boundaries of the enclosure.
Animals Are Trapped in Unnatural Environments
Anyone who has visited a zoo knows the exhibits are a far cry from the natural landscape they are trying to imitate. Nearly all zoo enclosures contain fences, glass or other barriers for visitors to look through, which are inherently artificial. And the natural-seeming landscapes can sometimes be made out of astroturf, concrete or plastic.
Confinement May Alter the Behavior of Animals
The lack of space, unnatural environments and crowded conditions can directly affect the behavior of animals; most notably in the form of what's known as "stereotypy." Stereotypy is a condition in which non-human animals engage in repetitive behaviors with no apparent purpose, such as pacing for hours on end, wagging tails abnormally or picking their own fur.

The structure of zoos increases the likelihood of stereotypic behavior due to a lack of enrichment, mundane environments and boring, repetitive schedules. This prevalence of stereotypy in zoos even has its own name: "zoochosis," or psychosis caused by zoos.
'Surplus' Animals Can Be Killed
After an animal has reproduced successfully and the zoo no longer requires the animal to maintain an exhibit, the animal is deemed "surplus." At this point, the animal's welfare is no longer profitable. Zoos can sell the animal to private owners (who may keep the animal in tiny cages for amusement or kill the animal for taxidermy purposes), sell the animal to other zoos or enclosures, or "euthanize" the animal.
Animals Are Often Mistreated
Animal mistreatment is much more than hitting or beating an animal. It also includes harmful training techniques, separation from family members and forcing animals to behave in abnormal ways.

In a report from World Animal Protection, three-fourths of zoos include human-animal interactions, many of which can be very stressful or physically harmful for animals. In some extreme cases, visitors rode on the backs of animals (causing injury) or encroached on the animals' enclosure (causing stress).

Investigations into popular zoos sometimes reveal that caretakers don't always clean the exhibits frequently, leaving the animals to live near their feces. The research also reveals many zookeepers hitting animals who "misbehave," and not helping animals with injuries sustained in the enclosures. While not all animal caretakers behave this way, the reporting suggests many zoos around the world are lax with animal welfare.
Animals Don't Like Being Visited
The mere presence of human beings can negatively affect wild animals, especially in massive crowds that are common at zoos. Being bombarded by the sounds, smells and appearances of swaths of humans can trigger the stress responses of some animals. Some studies show that the number of visitors correlates with the amount of stress hormones in many animal species.
Animals Struggle to Form Connections
Many animals are highly social creatures. Elephants, lions, pigs, cows and many more species are shown to have complex connections, hierarchies and relationships with members of their own kind - especially with friends and family. However, zoo animals rarely stay with the same herd or family for their entire lives. Instead, zoos opt to transfer, sell, buy or relocate animals throughout their lifespans, making it difficult for animals to form social connections. This lack of bonding can harm the animals emotionally.
Zoos Are for Humans, Not Animals
Most zoos are for-profit enterprises, meaning they have one goal in mind: maximizing revenue. It is easy to see how making more money can come at the expense of animal welfare. For example, a zoo is unlikely to fund an exhibit expansion if it isn't cost-effective, regardless of its benefits for the animals inside. While many zookeepers form real bonds with their animal companions, the animals still exist under a for-profit, human-centered organization.
Zoos Promote Human Superiority
The aesthetic nature of zoos - animals in panopticon-like enclosures, viewed 24/7 by members of a different species - can reinforce human superiority. As moral philosopher Lori Gruen writes in her book, "visitors leave the zoo more convinced than ever of human superiority over the natural world." Of course, zoos also reinforce the idea that humans have a right to take away animals' freedom and bodily autonomy.

Zoos Don't Always Help with Conservation - Some Wild Animals Have to Be Caught to Bring Them to Zoos

Many animals in zoos are born in captivity, but that's not the case for all. Many animals are taken directly from the wild, often when they are babies, to make the transition to captivity a bit easier. At times, this is done in the name of conservation, or when a wild animal is very ill. But many zoos will take animals from the wild, or buy animals from unethical animal traders.
It's Often Not Possible to Return Animals to the Wild
Releasing an animal into the wild isn't always successful, especially if the animal has spent time in climates different from their native regions, like jungles, savannas or ice caps. Properly preparing animals for success in the wild is a multi-stage process that can require thousands of dollars - and it doesn't always work. Captive-born predator species - disadvantaged by being born and raised in an artificial environment - only have a survival rate after being released into the wild of 33 percent, according to one study. As a result, re-release is not a priority for many zoos.
Zoos Are Poorly Regulated
While there exist many laws that protect animals, such as the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Endangered Species Act, they only offer minimum protections. For example, the AWA excludes entire species of animals, like mice, farmed animals, birds and all cold-blooded animals. Its "minimum" standards of care usually ensure the animals' safety, not their welfare or happiness. Many animal law experts say these regulations don't go far enough.
What Are the Pros of Having Zoos? They Can Be Important for Researchers
Biologists and zoologists can benefit from studying animals in zoos. Some breakthroughs in animal behavior and treatment, like why elephants swing their trunks or how gorillas develop heart disease, have been made possible because of zoos' ease of access. However, not all animals behave the same in captivity as they do in the wild, so not all research is possible in zoos.

Zoos Are Educational - People May Behave "Eco-friendlier" After Going To the Zoo

Zoos can kickstart individuals' interest in biodiversity, which is a critical aspect of environmental protection. Many zoos include calls to action in their exhibits, highlighting how endangered animals are being poached, driven away, or otherwise killed by human activity. This can inspire some people to behave more conscientiously. One limited survey found that 35 percent of eco-friendly people learned sustainable behavior from zoos. '
Zoos Can Help Educate Children About Animals
Zoos are a quintessential school experience for many young people. Children love learning about animals up-close in a safe environment - in fact, education is possibly the biggest advantage of modern zoos. Many programs, like school presentations, guided tours, informational exhibits, and talks with zookeepers can trigger a lifelong love of animals in children.

But zoos aren't perfect in this regard. According to a study of zoo visitors in the UK, only 34 percent of children learned more about animals at zoos (the result was slightly better when the children were given a guided tour). Worse, children did not feel empowered to help with conservation efforts after visiting a zoo. This suggests that if zoos care about education, they need to more actively reach out to schoolchildren for empowerment and education.
Going to the Zoo Is Affordable
More ethical ways of engaging with animals without removing them from their natural habitats - like whale watching, safaris, hikes, or excursions - are usually expensive or inaccessible for many people. Zoos tend to be relatively cheap for the average family that wants to learn about animals.
Conservation Zoos Can Protect Endangered Species from Extinction
Zoos often claim they can protect entire species from extinction through conservation programs that involve breeding more animals in captivity and then releasing them into the wild. This is especially important for endangered species like pandas.

While these conservation efforts are truly important, they don't represent the majority of a zoo's activities, nor are zoos leaders in conservation worldwide. At the National Zoo, for example, only one-fifth of animals are endangered. In North America, zoos only contribute about 14 percent of all animals reintroduced into the wild as part of a conservation program. Zoos also tend to focus on headline-grabbing endangered animals to bring in visitors, like pandas, elephants or tigers, as opposed to lesser-known but crucial species, like tamarins, kakapos or wombats.
Are Zoos Good or Bad for the Environment?
Zoos claim to support global biodiversity through conservation efforts like protecting endangered animals. This is somewhat true, although it varies greatly from zoo to zoo.

On the other hand, zoos are big polluters and use up lots of resources, especially energy and water. Aquariums in particular use tons and tons of water. Zoo animals also generate waste that may or may not be composted or disposed of correctly.
Should Zoos Exist or Be Banned?
Given the many ways that zoos are unethical to animals, the flawed attempts to contribute to conservation, and the positioning of humans as superior to animals, many animal ethicists believe zoos should not exist - or at least, not exist in their current form.

For example, animal philosopher Dale Jamieson says in his book Ethics on the Ark that zoos primarily "alleviate our sense of guilt for what we are doing to the planet, but they do little to help the animals we are driving to extinction." He continues to argue that zoos exist for humans alone, and that it is very difficult to wave away the inherent immorality of depriving animals their liberty for the sake of human amusement.

Instead, private conservation programs can benefit endangered animals without showcasing them to the public. Animal sanctuaries, which are areas of land in which endangered and other animals are protected by humans, are also advantageous for both individual animals and global biodiversity.

Zoos do have advantages - fostering curiosity and education chief among them. But experts believe there are other ways of accomplishing these goals without resorting to zoos with tiny enclosures. Excursions, nature documentaries, safaris, local gardens, hikes, boat tours and other ways of interacting with nature don't involve taking animals out of their natural habitats.
The Bottom Line
If you do choose to visit a zoo, opt for zoos that have certifications from independent animal welfare organizations. If you are interested in animal conservation, you'd be more impactful donating to a non-zoo animal protection organization instead. And if you do want to visit animals, consider an animal sanctuary or an ethical safari, where you can see animals in their native environments.

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Are Zoos Good or Bad for Animals? The Argument, Explained

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Debates about the ethics of zoos abound - but when it comes to animal welfare, there are certainly more cons than pros.