A month ago, my friend came visiting and we decided to check one of the closest zoos near my house. It was just a random plan, we were bored at home, we didn’t want to stay indoors all day, so we thought, why not visit the zoo, It’s been a while. I was expecting it to be fun, but honestly, I left there feeling somehow. It wasn’t what I expected at all.
When we got there, we paid the gate fee and went in. The place was quiet, not too many people. I brought out my phone, ready to take pictures and maybe even record short videos. But as we walked around, I noticed I became quiet. Something didn’t feel right.
The first area we entered had different types of birds. There were parrots, eagles, peacocks, and others I can’t name. Most of them were just in cages looking dull. One of the parrots kept making a sound over and over like it was tired of itself. Some of the cages looked dirty. The smell in the air wasn’t even pleasant.
Then we got to where they kept the monkeys. I saw different types, big and small. One just sat there doing nothing, looking at the floor. Another one kept climbing the same spot like it was restless. We bought some bananas and throw it to them trying to get their attention. I didn’t find it funny. The monkeys looked tired and maybe even sad. I could almost feel it in their eyes.
Next, we saw the tortoises. So many of them. They were all just there, not moving much. Their space looked dry and boring. No fresh grass, no water nearby, just sand and dry ground. It felt like they were just packed there with no life.
Then we moved to the hyena. That one touched me. It kept moving round and round in one corner like something was wrong. Its body looked somehow. Its eyes looked empty. I stood there watching it for a while and nothing changed. It just kept walking in circles like it was trapped in its own mind.
As we walked from one animal to another, the excitement I came with just disappeared. I kept asking myself, “Is this what zoos are really about?” These animals didn’t look like they were being taken care of properly. Some looked sick. Others looked bored. And the space they were in was just too small.
People say zoos help protect animals. Maybe that’s true sometimes. But what I saw didn’t look like protection. It looked more like punishment. These animals were far from their natural homes, locked up, and being looked at every day. That’s not how they are meant to live.
Though I have never been to any wildlife park before, so I can’t say if it’s better but I’ve heard that in wildlife parks, animals have more space to move and live more freely. I feel like that’s better than locking animals up in small cages where they can’t do anything natural.
That zoo visit made me think a lot. Animals are not just for our entertainment. They are living things too. They feel. They get tired. They get stressed. Some of the ones I saw looked like they had given up.
After we left, I didn’t even feel like posting the pictures I took. I just kept thinking about the hyena and the monkey in the corner. I came home with questions. What’s the real purpose of zoos? Are we really helping these animals or just using them for fun?
In my opinion I think wildlife park will be a better one because animals can move freely without being caged.
NOTE:- ALL THE PICTURES ARE MINE
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w173e02 which the topic is tagged ALL ABOUT THE ZOO
