7. Complete Activity 5.7 (Page 58). Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the conditions provided to the animals. Were they suitable for the animals? Can animals live in artificial setting instead of their natural habitat? In your opinion, will the animals be comfortable in a zoo or in their natural habitat?
Answer:
I recently visited a zoo in my city and observed the living conditions provided to the animals. After assessing the suitability of the living conditions I came up with the following insights:
(i) Most of the enclosures, whether open-air or otherwise, lacked in size and space for living. Some of them mimicked natural habitats, but I feel the size takes a toll on the animals’ mental and physical well-being.
(ii) Some animals showed signs of stress, such as repeated pacing. This indicated that the animals were not comfortable living in these confined conditions.
(iii) The animals looked bored and listless because they were deprived of their natural habitat. They were in a confined space with nowhere to go.
(iv) Some of the animals shied away from approaching visitors, hid behind rocks and vegetation and looked intimidated. This is another indication that animals are meant to live in the wild in their own habitats.
(v) A lot of the animals looked starved. Even through food was present, they were not eating enough. This was yet another sign of depression and listlessness.
(vi) I saw many birds that were completely confined and unable to fly long distances. Their enclosure was unclean and smelled pungent from bird droppings. These unhealthy living conditions were a sorry sight indeed.
(vii) I even saw a bunch of animals scraping against their cages, struggling to get out. So, these enclosures were obviously not the right habitat for them.
(viiii) After talking to the zookeeper I found out that many of the animals frequently fall ill and need medical attention.
(ix) The zoo-keeper also told me that animals have problems mating in this confined state.
So, from the above observations it is evident that animals are much better off in their natural habitats instead of artificial habitats like zoos.
“Visit a nearby zoo. Observe the conditions provided to the animals. Were they suitable for the animals? Can animals live in artificial setting instead of their natural habitat? In your opinion, will the animals be comfortable in a zoo or in their natural habitat?” – Solved.
Related Links:
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 1
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 2
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 3
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 4
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 5
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 6
Solution to Extended Learning Problem 7
Solution to Activity 5.1
Solution to Activity 5.2
Solution to Activity 5.3
Solution to Activity 5.4
Solution to Activity 5.5
Solution to Activity 5.6
Solution to Activity 5.7
Solutions to Chapter 5 Conservation of Plants and Animals
