For the longest time, animals have been blamed for causing the deaths of humans. Maybe it's just easier that way. Who knows? Starting with Sea World, or maybe even sooner, animals have been hunted, caged, and brought back to America to either be sold, or placed in zoos and aquariums for entertainment purposes. If someone took me from my home, family, and everything I was familiar with just for their own personal gain I think I would be pretty hostile, and aggressive as well.
Let's start with the first incident I mentioned: Sea World. Tilikum, an Orca whale who was separated from his mother and brought to Sea World when he was just four years old. Tilikum was housed in a tiny cage, and used for breeding. Eventually, it was said that the whale had a psychotic break, which resulted in him killing some trainers. To this day, Sea World never admitted that the way in which they kept Tilikum made him angry and dangerous. In addition, since he was mistreated his life was ultimately shortened because there was a lack of sea nutrients available in order for him to be healthy. If he was housed properly, and fed a proper diet, he would have never experienced a psychotic break.
Animals usually thrive in an environment that they are familiar with which is why (in my humble opinion) they should not be removed from it, unless their lives are in danger or the species is on an endangered list and are removed from their homes for protection purposes. Other than the two reasons that I just stated, (once again, in my opinion) I do not believe that animals should be removed from their natural habitats. Yes, they're cute and fun to look at and I'd be lying if I said I've never been to a zoo or aquarium. However, as I get older I have gone to these places less and less. Not only because I'm kind of out growing them, but also because I do not support what they stand for.
Like many incidents prior to Sea World, happenings like this have gotten a lot of news time. The incident that is being spoken about more recently is the event which occurred in Cincinnati Zoo. Harambe, an endangered gorilla was born in a zoo in Texas. After 16 years at this zoo, he was transferred to a zoo in Cincinnati. The day after his 17th birthday, a toddler had landed in his moat in which was located in his enclosure. He interacted with the child, treating him the same way he would a young ape. He did not attack him, but instead held his hand and examined his clothes. Although people were shouting at him, which would make anyone nervous, he never attacked the child. However, since they were shouting at him, he stood in front of the child in order to protect him. Even though this gorilla was not harming the child, he still was shot.
The little boy, was returned to his mother and brought to the hospital with no critical injuries. An endangered species became even more scarce because of the most dangerous species on the planet. So I ask you, where were the zoo keepers, and the parent that was supposed to be watching her child. The "animal" was doing a better job at protecting this child than the actual "human" was.
So I leave you with this: Who's fault really was it? the human or the animal?
