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Zoos are becoming facsimiles-or perhaps caricatures-of how animals once were in their natural habitat. If the right policies toward nature were pursued, we would need no zoos at all. - Michael Fox, Sierra 1990.
Throughout Miami-Dade County, animals are enslaved in circuses, zoos, rodeos, and marine parks. Every year some one million visitors attend the county fair where animals are auctioned off for slaughter and there are petting zoos and bear performances.
Of course, Miami-Dade County is not alone in its treatment towards animals. Ringling Brothers and Barnum Baily Circus performances are held all over the country. Video footage has shown Ringling Brothers trainers whipping and beating elephants. Federal inspectors have reported innumerable instances where Ringling Bros has failed to comply with minimum federal regulations. Circus animals and animals in zoos and marine parks are abused, neglected and tortured. They are often confused and with no adequate stimulation in an artificial environment, they begin to exhibit unnatural behaviors including pacing, rocking back and forth, and hitting their heads against the bars of their cages. 'Zoochosis' is the term that was coined in 1992 to describe this obsessive, repetitive behavior.
Remember: In nature, bears and tigers don't jump through rings of fire and ride bicycles. Dolphins and killer whales don't swim and jump through hoops, and parrots don't walk on roller skates.
What you can do:
DO: Write to your local congressperson or Senator and send letters to the U.S. Department of Agriculture demanding that they investigate the conditions at local zoos and marine parks.
DO: Join a protest next time one is in town.
DO: Read books, watch movies and television programs about animals in the wild
Do: Give money and support to reputable animal rehabilitation and preservation centers.
DON'T: Go to the zoo, marine park, rodeo or county fair.
Web sites and resources:
www.animalrightsflorida.org
www.peta.org
www.circuses.com
www.animalconcerns.org
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