The Cruelty of Zoos by Laurel Ferguson
Zoos have been around for years and years and can be found all over the world, used to display exotic animals that people normally wouldn't get the chance to see in the wild. They're also a popular place to bring kids to learn about animals. While people enjoy visiting zoos, they can be a terrible place for animals. Sometimes, animals are kept isolated and prevented from socializing with others of their species. This lack of companionship is common in zoos and leads to loneliness and depression. Animals can also go stir-crazy if they're in the wrong environment, in an enclosure that's too small, or kept in solitude. This can lead to extreme boredom and prompt animals to exhibit in "stereotypical behavior," or "zoochosis," which is restless motion such as pacing. Sometimes animals go as far as to hurt themselves just because they have nothing else to do. Gus is a polar bear who became famous for his extreme repetitive behaviors. He o...