Should Zoos Keep Endangered Species

According to the Endangered Species Act, the definition of an endangered species is â€Å"any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.† Zoos are widely regarded as guardians of endangered species, so why do animal rights activists claim the zoos are abusive and cruel? Endangered Species and Animal Rights Endangered species are an environmental issue, but not necessarily an animal rights issue. From an environmental perspective, a blue whale is more deserving of protection than a cow because blue whales are endangered and the loss of a single blue whale may impact the survivability of the species. The ecosystem is a network of interdependent species, and when a species becomes extinct, the loss of that species in the ecosystem could threaten other species. But from an animal rights standpoint, a blue whale is no more or less deserving of life and liberty than a cow because both are sentient individuals. Blue whales should be protected because they are sentient beings, and not solely because the species is endangered. Animal Activists Oppose Keeping Endangered Species in Zoos Individual animals have sentience and therefore have rights. However, the whole species has no sentience, so a species has no rights. Keeping endangered animals in zoos infringes on those individuals’ rights to freedom. Infringing the rights of individuals because it benefits the species is wrong because a species is not an entity with its own rights. Additionally, removing breeding individuals from the wild population further endangers the wild population. Endangered plants are kept similarly in captivity, but these programs are not controversial because plants are widely believed not to be sentient. Endangered plants have no desire to roam and frequently thrive in captivity, unlike their animal counterparts. Furthermore, plant seeds can be kept in storage for hundreds of years into the future, for the purpose of â€Å"release† back into the wild if their natural habitat ever recovers. Zoo Breeding Programs Even if a zoo operates a breeding program for an endangered species, those programs do not excuse the infringement on the rights of the individual animals to be free. The individual animals are suffering in captivity for the good of the species—but again a species is an entity that does not suffer or have rights. Zoo breeding programs produce the many baby animals that attract the public, but this leads to surplus animals. Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of zoo breeding programs do not release individuals back into the wild. Instead, the individuals are destined to live their lives in captivity. Some are even sold to circuses, to canned hunting facilities (fenced in areas), or for​ slaughter. In 2008, an emaciated Asian elephant named Ned was confiscated from circus trainer Lance Ramos and transferred to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Asian elephants are endangered, and Ned had been born at Busch Gardens, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. But neither the endangered status nor the zoos accreditation stopped Busch Gardens from selling Ned to a circus. Zoo Breeding Programs and Loss of Wild Habitat Many species are endangered because of loss of habitat. As human beings continue to multiply, and urban communities continue to expand, we destroy wild habitat. Many environmentalists and animal advocates believe that habitat protection is the best way to protect endangered species. If a zoo operates a breeding program for an endangered species while there are insufficient habitats for that species in the wild, there is no hope that releasing individuals will replenish the wild population. The programs are creating a situation where small breeding colonies will exist in captivity without any benefit to the wild populations, which will continue to dwindle until extinction. Despite the small populations in zoos, the species has been effectively removed from the ecosystem, which defeats the purpose of protecting endangered species from an environmental standpoint. Zoos v. Extinction Extinction is a tragedy. It is a tragedy from an environmental standpoint because other species may suffer and because it may indicate an environmental problem such as loss of wild habitat or climate change. It is also a tragedy from an animal rights standpoint because it means that sentient individuals probably suffered and died untimely deaths. However, from an animal rights standpoint, extinction in the wild is not an excuse to continue keeping individuals in captivity. As explained above, the survival of the species does not justify the loss of freedom for the individuals in captivity. Sources Armstrong, Susan J., and Richard G. Botzler (eds). The Animal Ethics Reader, 3rd ed. New York: Routledge, 2017.Bostock, Stephen St. C. Zoos and Animal Rights. London: Routledge, 2003.  Norton, Bryan G., Michael Hutchins, Elizabeth F. Stevens, and Terry L. Maple (eds). Ethics on the Ark: Zoos, Animal Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation. New York: Smithsonian Institution, 1995.

Themes in Shakespeares Othello Essay - 1155 Words

Othello was written by Jacobean playwright William Shakespeare in 1603. It proved a huge success when first performed in 1604, in front of a huge audience. The story is one of Shakespeare’s great tragedy themed plays. Othello is the black protagonist and highly esteemed Venetian general. Iago is the ambitious but scheming villain of the play. When Othello promotes a man called Michael Cassio over Iago, he is furious and launches a malicious campaign against Othello. Meanwhile, Othello has married a white woman, Desdemona, without her father knowing. Through Iago’s plotting, Othello suspects that his wife is having an affair and after many murders and plots, Othello smothers his wife. But he finds out the truth about Iago, and horrified at†¦show more content†¦He will take advantage of Othello and is using him for his own means. Shakespeare wrote this to foreshadow the future, creating tension, because the audience know there is dishonesty and deception to foll ow. This is supported by the quote: ‘in following him, I follow but myself’ ‘I am not who I am’. It y shows you that Iago does not wear his heart on his sleeve. The word ‘master’ sounds mocking, as if Iago is going to betray Othello so this creates tension. So the themes of hate and appearance vs. reality are introduced through Iago’s dialogue. Iago expresses his hate for Othello He says: ‘...I do hate him as I do hell pains’. The simile ‘hate’ explains how much Iago loathes Othello. He compared hatred to hell. The modern audience aren’t as affected by the reference to hell, but the Jacobean audience would feel the true extent of Iago’s hatred. The setting of act one also contributes to the hatred felt in the play. It is dark and there is a sense of mystery, creates a tense and dramatic atmosphere. Words such as: ‘despise’ ‘devil’ and ‘hell’ support this. The references to hell would have made the Jacobean audience weary. Iago’s evil soliloquy is full of hatred and revenge: ‘Hell and night must bring this monstrous birth to the worlds light’. The dark, evil images create a strong reaction in both audiences. ‘...to the worlds light’ indicates scheming will start, doubt will surface. ‘...monstrous’ indicates the idea in Iago’s head is like aShow MoreRelatedThe Theme Of Evil In Shakespeares Othello2010 Words   |  9 PagesJust what is evil in Shakespeares play? Iagos will for revenge on Cassio, who has been promoted to a higher army rank than himself? Is Iago evil? Essentially, Iago could be described as the central trouble-making, ill-willed character of the play; he leads a lot of the characters into a state of confusion, convincing them to think poorly and wrong of other figures in Othello that are in fact innocent of their accused crimes. But does this make him an evil individual? 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A Personal Accomplishment Essay Example For Students

A Personal Accomplishment Essay Just our average Saturday morning, my friend Brendan and I dismantling a car. Wrenches turning, the air compressor whining, and the radio on loud. Under the car with Brendan, turning bolts, hands getting greasy, and bleeding from random cuts on our hands. Then the interior comes out, pins and plugs, bolts and wrenches, sweat and tears. Now under the hood, confused at what to do like a boy lost at sea. The strip down if a 1996 Nissan 240sx. This involved taking out everything in the interior of the car, as well as the exterior and the engine. All of this was done by using an air compressor with an air gun, and of course our own hands. In addition to this accomplishment, the online forum was a major help in giving do-it-yourself information. The final accomplishment was to put everything back together exactly how we took it out. The steps to completing this were reading the forum, thinking how we can approach a certain area, common sense, and finally, the actual removing and putting back of each part. The amount of time this took was approximately two days to remove everything and another two days to reinstall everything, During the removal process of some parts, there were a lot of trial and errors and lots of frustration. A few bolts in the engine bay were rusted due the car being a 1996. Rusted bolts will literally take forever to remove. There was also a plethora amount of heavy parts that exceeded 100 pounds. Each door was about 100 pounds and the engine was way over 200 so you can imagine how hard it was to remove these parts. These obstacles were easily passed with the help of my friend Brendan. He also let me borrow a few tools that I didnt own and spent 4 days with me to help complete this accomplishment. There was nothing that motivated me to do this besides my own self. I always wanted to take apart a car and put it back just so I can say, Yeah, I did that. A lot of time and patience was necessary in this accomplishment. Also, without dedication, the parts would have never gone back on. After the reinstallation of every single part, I had the feeling of maturity and responsibility. I learned how to take off every part on a car and how to put it back on. Its probably the hardest and thing I ever did and gave me experience if I was ever to do this again. After we finished the car, Brendan and I both came to the conclusion that this was how it felt to work on an assembly line. This accomplishment was very hard and time consuming, and frustrating, but I am still very proud of myself for doing this. The next thing I would like to accomplish would be to swap and engine from another car into the same car we took apart. This accomplishment will definitely require a hundred times more time, and a lot more dedication. I would hope to start and finish this goal during summer 2013.

Essay on The Cyber Security Of Communications Systems Essay Example For Students

Essay on The Cyber Security Of Communications Systems Essay The cyber security of communications systems is the vulnerability of our communications to information welfare. Communications systems are a critical component of our national security and emergency preparedness resources. Information exchange through voice data, video, and internet connectivity are the major supporting factors and constitute an important part of the overall national critical infrastructure. There are many different jobs within this field that require a broad range of knowledge, skills and abilities. As a college student, when looking for pathways or different programs into cyber security make sure to research and pick your focus, then you can become an expert in that area. Cyber security positions are in high demand, but don’t use that as an excuse to take the easy way in. Now more than ever we need highly educated and experienced workers to help make our critical infrastructure more secure.Disruptions in the networks and lapses in security now place lives, jobs, our economy, and well-being at risk. Cyber security protects the information that flows through broadband communications networks. Individuals are constantly using email or online websites and we need to ensure that it remains â€Å"private to preventing foreign governments from infiltrating our Nation’s most critical infrastructure,† says Bill Lane. Just this year in July the U. S. was on top of three on four categories for the second month in a row (as seen in the chart on the next page).A simple trip to the ATM, filing our taxes online, filling out employment forms, or even checking out at the grocery store can change the trajectory of our finances in mere seconds. In June, hackers were able to procure 100,000 tax returns and requested 15,000 fra. .ty threat becomes an actual attack? If the entity is insured, the entity should be able to rely on its insurance policy to cover the loss, but if the entity fails to give the insurer timely notice in the manner of conforming the term of policy, the insurer may disclaim coverage. The insured may have little information and the insurer will insist it is not in light of the minimalist nature of the unclassified report. The government may know the details of the planned attack and give out information to advert the danger, but could back fire and end up jeopardizing the entity’s ability to recover from any loss. Simple ways people could keep personal information safe online is by setting strong passwords, keeping everything up to date by installing updates, limit personal information posted online and use privacy settings, and avoid things that are too good to be true.?