Written by: Ashraya Banskota - 21104, Grade XII
Posted on: 10 August, 2020
Have you ever wondered what a tiger living in a cage in a zoo feels like? Because of the recent pandemic, you might say yes and that it’s not a good feeling rather it’s claustrophobic. It had become very difficult for people to go out and many people suffered and still are suffering from mental illness. According to a survey made in the UK, it was said that 10% of people who were quarantined, suffered from high depressive symptoms. It’s not only in the UK but it is all over the world. Whenever we go to the zoo, we never think about what animals are going through. They have been living in the cage for many years. With lots complaining about being in lockdown, moaning about being bored, unable to go anywhere, etc. just think of the millions, probably billions of animals that we’ve needlessly caged over the years. And zoos are one of them. Just for their own happiness, people have been separating the animals from their natural habitats. The only difference between a human and an animal is that humans can express their sorrow through dialogue whereas animals cannot. It’s not just humans that go through mental illness, but animals also suffer from it and they become depressed in life as they have no freedom to live. Also, scientists have proven that animals that are kept in cages become stressed, sick, and don't live as long.
How would you feel if you were also put into the cage, living the same life as billions of animals are living and spending your time all alone either with no family members or your friends? How would you feel if you were in self-isolation? Angry, depressed, tired of your current life, and irritated, right? Think about the animals who have been isolated their entire lives. No living being should live in captivity. Animals also should have the freedom to live their lives. Instead of zoos, animals can be kept in wildlife sanctuaries; a place where animals do not have to sacrifice their natural habitat. Wildlife organizations these days promote wildlife sanctuaries more than zoos. The wild-life sanctuaries allow the animal to live in its natural way under the protection of the forest security guards.
There are also people who use animals for entertainment; circus. According to a survey, 96% of a circus animal’s life is spent in chains or cages. Tigers who usually fear fire are forced to perform stunts in a circus. Trainers also use whips, tight collars, muzzles, electric prods, bullhooks, and other painful tools of the trade to force animals to perform. These kinds of ruthless behavior of some humans toward the animals should be strictly prohibited. Animals too have lives and forcing them to do something that will only affect the animal’s mental health. Sometimes, they may also attack humans because of cruel behavior.
Animals are the assets of our planet. They play an important role in the ecosystem. Even though they cannot express their feelings to us, we can at least be kind towards them. Keeping them in a cage and forcing them to live in a captive environment is very much unnecessary. Instead, we should make them live in their natural habitat so that they also can taste the feeling of freedom.
