{"id":2023,"date":"2020-06-12T08:39:32","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T07:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=2023"},"modified":"2024-02-18T18:26:27","modified_gmt":"2024-02-18T18:26:27","slug":"animals-in-captivity-statistics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animals-in-captivity-statistics\/","title":{"rendered":"19 Sad Animals in Captivity Statistics (2024 UPDATE)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people like going to the zoo, especially with their kids. They think that zoos are entertaining and educational facilities that exist with animals&#8217; best interests in mind.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animals in captivity statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hide the harsh truth about the environment and treatment of captive animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s very bleak, but we all need to learn more to raise awareness about the actual conditions that captured animals live in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='top-10-animal-captivity-statistics-and-facts'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Top 10 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal Captivity Statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and Facts<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#Animal abuse is widespread\">Animal abuse is widespread<\/a> in 75% of zoo and aquarium facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#elephant in an entertainment facility\">96% of elephants<\/a> in entertainment facilities are treated poorly.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Polar bears have a <a href=\"#million times less space\">million times less space<\/a> in zoos.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only <a href=\"#18% of captive animals\">18% of captive animals<\/a> are endangered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#Extremely threatened species\">Extremely threatened species<\/a> are not supposed to be bred in zoos.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The so-called <a href=\"#\u201csurplus\u201d animals in zoos are often killed\">\u201csurplus\u201d animals in zoos are often killed<\/a>, even if they are healthy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breeding programs in zoos in Europe include <a href=\"#include only about 200 animal species\">only 200 animal species<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"#annual wildlife conservation investments\">annual wildlife conservation investments<\/a> amount to over $350 million.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aquariums and zoos worldwide <a href=\"#do have an educational role\">do have an educational role<\/a>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"#More tigers are captive in America\">More tigers are captive in America<\/a> than there are free-roaming globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all need to take a stand for these animals, and getting the facts straight could be your first step in the right direction.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='animal-abuse-in-zoos-statistics'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal Abuse in Zoos Statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal lovers usually refrain from reading these stats because they can sometimes be too painful and shocking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if you&#8217;re reading this and want to find out more about the reality, bear with us because it isn&#8217;t pink in the slightest.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='1-animal-abuse-is-widespread-in-75-of-the-world-association-of-zoos-and-aquariums-facilities'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Animal abuse is widespread in 75% of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Animal Protection)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoos and aquariums that are a part of WAZA often break the rules of this organization.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some basic WAZA guidelines restrict animal cruelty, displaying animals for entertainment, stunts, and tricks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animal-abuse-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over 1,200 aquariums and zoos in 78 countries connected with WAZA participate in such animal misconduct<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visitors of these entertainment facilities are often petting the animals. The animals are often trained to do degrading and unnatural acts only to attract more visitors.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='2-petting-is-the-most-common-stressful-captive-animal-activity-that-43-of-waza-partners-frequently-offer'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Petting is the most common stressful captive animal activity <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that 43% of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WAZA partners frequently offer.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(National Geographic)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the recent Nat Geo <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animal cruelty in zoos articles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> revealed that captured animals in zoos and aquariums undergo many activities involving human contact and other encounters that can cause anxiety and suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[visualizer id=&#8221;6021&#8243;]<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some of the most popular attractions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Around 33% of WAZA partner facilities allow visitors to walk or swim with the animals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 30% of aquariums and zoos make animals perform in front of people.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">23% of them let the visitors hand-feed the animals.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='3-there-is-a-96-chance-that-an-elephant-in-an-entertainment-facility-is-treated-poorly'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. There is a 96% chance that an elephant in an entertainment facility is treated poorly.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Animal Protection)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If we don&#8217;t count marine animals, the elephant is the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">biggest animal in captivity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering the size of elephants, one would think they are given plenty of space in captivity. Unfortunately, that\u2019s not true at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Captivity is very harsh on them. They are chained most of the time, with short chains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Young elephants are often separated from their mothers, and they suffer a lot of beating and mistreatment while being trained.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s especially disturbing when considering that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/elephant-facts\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">elephants are known for being very emotional<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='4-polar-bears-have-a-million-times-less-space-in-zoos-than-they-would-have-in-the-wild'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Polar bears have a million times less space in zoos than they would have in the wild.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Freedom for Animals)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most noticeable <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animal captivity facts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is that most animals in zoos don\u2019t have nearly enough room.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elephants are not the only big mammals that require more space than they are given in captivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Besides polar bears, lions and tigers also have much less space than if they were free (about 18,000 times less).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, these animals are often perceived as aggressive. Hence, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/bear-attack-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people think there are so many bear attacks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and they&#8217;re often feared more than they should be.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='5-the-so-called-%e2%80%9csurplus%e2%80%9d-animals-in-zoos-are-often-killed-even-if-they-are-healthy'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. The so-called \u201csurplus\u201d animals in zoos are often killed, even if they are healthy.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(IDAUSA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though many of us want to know <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how many animals die in zoos each year<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, these numbers are not easy to track.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to In Defense of Animals, up to 5,000 zoo animals are killed each year \u2014 mind you, only in Europe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What\u2019s even more worrisome is that the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommends killing animals in some situations, even if they are perfectly healthy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this kind of euthanasia is legal, it&#8217;s not really surprising that zoos practice it. For this to stop, some core rules need to be changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='general-animals-in-captivity-statistics'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">General <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animals in Captivity Statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We know that animals in captivity are mistreated and deprived of their natural habitat. But they\u2019re not only kept for show. Sadly, they\u2019re often exploited for traditional medicine or for breeding.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='6-china-has-over-5000-captive-tigers-which-they-use-for-traditional-medicine'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. China has over 5,000 captive tigers, which they use for traditional medicine.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Animal Protection)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Animal Protection revealed this shocking fact about Chinese traditional medicine.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The captive tigers, as well as lions, are being exploited for their bones and body parts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supposedly, certain body parts of these animals have healing properties beneficial for treating various ailments, but they come at a hefty price.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before collecting bones and organs, these animals are treated very poorly, leading to physical and psychological suffering.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='7-breeding-programs-in-zoos-across-europe-include-only-about-200-animal-species'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Breeding programs in zoos across Europe include only about 200 animal species.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(The Independent)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animals in captivity articles<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are rising in popularity, which is good for raising awareness. For example, The Independent reports that a tiny number of species in European zoos get breeding programs (about 5%).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Does this mean that the other species are simply not worth the effort? Most zoo species face similar problems, including disease, very little genetic diversity, and a lot of hybridization.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='8-cetaceans-in-captivity-stay-on-the-surface-longer-80-of-the-time-than-they-would-naturally'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">8. Cetaceans in captivity stay on the surface longer <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">80% of the time <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">than they would naturally.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Animal Welfare Institute)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We didn\u2019t forget about you marine life enthusiasts \u2014 here is one of many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aquarium facts<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but beware, it is not too optimistic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cetaceans are very social creatures, and they seek a lot of attention and nourishment from trainers. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, as they aren\u2019t allowed to act naturally in captivity, they are often bored and annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They don\u2019t have enough space to swim freely, and they are introduced to unnatural \u201croommates\u201d in their tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plus, cetaceans are intelligent and aren\u2019t overly amused by visitors and the stunts they have to perform all the time. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are also not keen on the surrounding noise that gets very loud in entertainment facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='9-aquariums-and-zoos-worldwide-do-have-an-educational-role'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">9. Aquariums and zoos worldwide do have an educational role.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(WAZA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the more positive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animals in captivity statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is that zoos help people gain some valuable education about animals, their habits and behavior, and conservation methods.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='10-the-annual-wildlife-conservation-investments-amount-to-over-350-million'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10. The annual wildlife conservation investments amount to over $350 million.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(WAZA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This amount is divided across all global aquarium and zoo organizations and associations. It is a hefty amount of money invested in the greater good. It provides some hope for the future of endangered animals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='endangered-animals-in-zoos-statistics'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Endangered Animals in Zoos Statistics<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many think zoos are guardians of endangered species. But, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/endangered-species-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keeping endangered animals in captivity deprives them of their freedom<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Captive animals are deprived of natural social structure and companionship. They&#8217;re forced to be too close to humans and other species, which is unnatural.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='11-more-tigers-are-captive-in-america-than-free-roaming-wild-tigers-worldwide'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11. More tigers are captive in America than free-roaming wild tigers worldwide.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Advocacy for Animals, World Economic Forum)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly, there are only about 3,500 tigers in the wild right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Their numbers aren\u2019t increasing, although they aren\u2019t declining either.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The total number of captive tigers is about 8,000, and they are kept at breeding farms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='12-only-18-of-captive-animals-are-considered-endangered-proving-that-most-zoos-arent-engaged-in-conserving-rare-or-endangered-animals-%c2%a0'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">12. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only 18% of captive animals are considered endangered, proving that m<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ost zoos aren&#8217;t engaged in conserving rare or endangered animals.\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(PETA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the biggest zoo myths is that one of their primary purposes is animal conservation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoo conservation statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tell a different story.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A minority of animals kept in zoos are threatened. This is about 700 of almost 4,000 captive species.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most zoos aren\u2019t planning on releasing the animals at any point \u2014 and even if they did, zoo animals would almost certainly die in the wild without human care.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even the endangered captive species, such as tigers and polar bears, wouldn\u2019t make it in the wild due to their lack of survival skills.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='13-extremely-threatened-species-are-not-supposed-to-be-bred-in-zoos'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">13. Extremely threatened species are not supposed to be bred in zoos.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(Science Daily)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breeding <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">endangered animals in zoos<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not the correct answer to saving endangered species, as dr. Paul Dolman says in his 2015 study.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animals in the wild need protection. Otherwise, there\u2019s no point in breeding them in captivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The study notes that captive breeding can be used as the last resort, but great efforts need to be made so that the endangered species can survive in the wild.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='14-only-two-female-northern-white-rhinoceros-remain-captive-meaning-that-this-endangered-species-in-captivity-is-almost-extinct'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">14. Only two female northern white rhinoceros remain captive, meaning that this <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">endangered species in captivity<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is almost extinct.<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(World Economic Forum, Access Science)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, since there are no known males of this species, captive or in the wild, they will soon be extinct.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The last known male died in the wilderness, and only his daughter and granddaughter remain. They are guarded in a Kenyan sanctuary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Right now, there are only about 5,000 black rhinos and 20,000 white rhinos remaining in Africa, and they\u2019re all categorized as critically endangered.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='faq'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 id='15-how-many-animals-are-in-captivity'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many animals are in captivity?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, around 1 million vertebrate animals live in captivity worldwide. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are over 10,000 zoos across the globe, and they accumulate more than 600 million visitors annually.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These statistics only account for the official zoos, while roadside attractions and private zoos are not included in them. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, many more animals live in captivity than necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='16-are-zoo-animals-happy'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">16. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are zoo animals happy?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering all we revealed above, it\u2019s safe to assume that zoo animals are not happy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the contrary, many of them suffer from depression and anxiety. This negative psychological state of captive animals is so frequent that it has a scientific term \u2014 zoochosis. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The animals that suffer from zoochosis engage in odd behavior such as pacing, rocking, excessive vomiting, biting, grooming, and self-harm.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/circus-animals\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoochosis and other psychological and physical problems<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are very common in captive animals in zoos, circuses, and other similar facilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='17-why-are-zoos-bad-for-animals'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17. Why are zoos bad for animals?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA made some excellent points about the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adverse effects of zoos on animals<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and what causes those effects, which we will try to summarize here:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoos prefer having baby animals (for attracting attention). However, when the animals mature, zoos quickly sell or trade them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They keep capturing wild animals for profit.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, conservation is not always the top priority.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Above all, most zoos care about entertaining their visitors, not educating them.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They justify bad conditions with cutbacks and losses, which they claim to be necessary because they don\u2019t get enough visitors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id='18-why-are-zoos-good'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why are zoos good<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoos aren\u2019t all bad, despite all the grim statistics mentioned here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some zoos have helped and keep helping conserve many species, which are slowly reintroduced to the wilderness. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This process is not always successful, but even these efforts are essential.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoos are also a place of research and education. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scientists have learned a lot from captured animals and have preserved some ecosystems thanks to this knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also, most children adore zoos because it\u2019s where they can learn about animals firsthand.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='19-how-many-animals-have-died-in-captivity'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How many animals have died in captivity?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding the captive animal deaths stats is very difficult because those profiting from trading their parts try to keep it a secret.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocacy for Animals provided some gruesome facts, though:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Almost all (90%) farm-raised foxes die for their fur, which is sold on the trim market. This use of animal pelts is becoming more popular than its use for making coats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About 100,000 carnivores in the US die to traps, poison, shooting, etc., on behalf of the federal government. These numbers account for both captive and free animals on private and public properties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chinese traditional medicine also makes use of bear organs. The practitioners keep many (near 10,000) unwilling bear organ \u201cdonors\u201d on farms across Asia.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id='conclusion'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hopefully, people will start paying more attention to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">animals in captivity statistics<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, no matter how harsh they are.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thanks to them, we can conclude that aquariums and zoos aren\u2019t always places of education, conservation, and entertainment for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sure, they have some benefits, but they put profits first and animal rights second for the most part.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We need to spread awareness if we want to see changes before it&#8217;s too late for abused, neglected, or endangered animals in captivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='sources'><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accessscience.com\/content\/northern-white-rhinoceros-on-the-brink-of-extinction\/BR0328011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access Science<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"http:\/\/advocacy.britannica.com\/blog\/advocacy\/2014\/10\/thirteen-frightening-wild-animal-facts-from-born-free-usa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advocacy for Animals<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.animalsaustralia.org\/features\/things-we-need-to-stop-telling-ourselves-about-zoos.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animals Australia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/awionline.org\/content\/wild-vs-captivity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Animal Welfare Institute<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.freedomforanimals.org.uk\/blog\/10-facts-about-zoos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Freedom for Animals<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.idausa.org\/campaign\/elephants\/latest-news\/honoring-animals-purposely-killed-by-zoos-on-world-zoothanasia-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IDAUSA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/long_reads\/zoos-cruel-wildlife-conservation-species-a9056701.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Independent<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/animals\/2019\/08\/waza-zoos-accused-of-mistreating-animals-wap-report\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Geographic<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/issues\/animals-in-entertainment\/animals-used-entertainment-factsheets\/zoos-pitiful-prisons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peta.org\/features\/zoo-conservation-captive-breeding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PETA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2015\/06\/150604203450.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Science Daily<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.waza.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/WAZA-Conservation-Strategy-2015_Portrait.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WAZA<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldanimalprotection.us\/blog\/7-animal-cruelty-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Animal Protection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/agenda\/2020\/03\/world-wildlife-day-trade-poaching-endangered\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">World Economic Forum<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many animals are in captivity?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Today, around 1 million vertebrate animals live in captivity worldwide. There are over 10,000 zoos across the globe, and they accumulate more than 600 million visitors annually.\\n\\nThese statistics only account for the official zoos, while roadside attractions and private zoos are not included in them. In other words, many more animals live in captivity than necessary.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are zoo animals happy?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Considering all we revealed above, it\u2019s safe to assume that zoo animals are not happy.\\n\\nOn the contrary, many of them suffer from depression and anxiety. This negative psychological state of captive animals is so frequent that it has a scientific term \u2014 zoochosis. The animals that suffer from zoochosis engage in odd behavior such as pacing, rocking, excessive vomiting, biting, grooming, and self-harm.\\n\\nZoochosis and other psychological and physical problems are very common in captive animals in zoos, circuses, and other similar facilities.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why are zoos bad for animals?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"PETA made some excellent points about the adverse effects of zoos on animals and what causes those effects, which we will try to summarize here:\\n\\nZoos prefer having baby animals (for attracting attention). However, when the animals mature, zoos quickly sell or trade them.\\nThey keep capturing wild animals for profit.\\nAs previously mentioned, conservation is not always the top priority.\\nAbove all, most zoos care about entertaining their visitors, not educating them.\\nThey justify bad conditions with cutbacks and losses, which they claim to be necessary because they don\u2019t get enough visitors.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Why are zoos good?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Zoos aren\u2019t all bad, despite all the grim statistics mentioned here.\\n\\nSome zoos have helped and keep helping conserve many species, which are slowly reintroduced to the wilderness. This process is not always successful, but even these efforts are essential.\\n\\nZoos are also a place of research and education. Scientists have learned a lot from captured animals and have preserved some ecosystems thanks to this knowledge.\\n\\nAlso, most children adore zoos because it\u2019s where they can learn about animals firsthand.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many animals have died in captivity?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Finding the captive animal deaths stats is very difficult because those profiting from trading their parts try to keep it a secret.\\n\\nAdvocacy for Animals provided some gruesome facts, though:\\n\\nAlmost all (90%) farm-raised foxes die for their fur, which is sold on the trim market. This use of animal pelts is becoming more popular than its use for making coats.\\nAbout 100,000 carnivores in the US die to traps, poison, shooting, etc., on behalf of the federal government. These numbers account for both captive and free animals on private and public properties.\\nChinese traditional medicine also makes use of bear organs. The practitioners keep many (near 10,000) unwilling bear organ \u201cdonors\u201d on farms across Asia.\"}}]}<\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Animals in captivity statistics for 2022 shine a light on a sad reality. Whether it&#8217;s a zoo or a private collection of wild animals, learn the sad numbers. [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/animals-in-captivity-statistics\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from 19 Sad Animals in Captivity Statistics (2024 UPDATE)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":2024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-stats-and-facts"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2023"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2023\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}