But are they really such a great thing?

但動物園真的好嗎？

Hey animal lovers, Julia here for DNews

各位動物愛好者們，我是 DNews 的茱莉亞，

I've loved zoos my whole life.

我這一生都好愛去動物園！

There was one I remember that made me wanna want to share how awesome animals are!

我曾有過一次的經驗，讓我想和大家分享動物有多麼的棒！

Fast forward a few years and well here I am.

幾年後的我在這裡，

Making videos about science and animals on the internet.

錄製有關介紹科學及動物的影片，分享在網路上。

But now, I'm older, wiser and really ambivalent about zoos.

但現在我更成熟和聰明，對於動物園心裡真是矛盾。

Zoos have changed a lot since their conception.

動物園因著人的觀念有了許多的改變。

Environments used to be basic, easy to build and didn't provide animals with the opportunity

環境很基本、很容易建造，但卻沒有提供動物們有機會

to interact with their surroundings, which was detrimental to their health.

和周圍事物有所互動，而這有害於他們的健康。

Think of classic zoos, animals in a small cage with nothing but concrete and bars.

想想傳統動物園，動物被關在只有鐵欄的小籠子裡。

Zoos today have changed this practice into providing “enriched environments” which

而現在動物園做了些改變，他們提供豐富的環境，其中包括

include increasing space, adding natural sound, and introducing

擴大空間、增加自然聲音，或者加入

elements of their natural environments.

動物們原生環境中的原素。

But most of the time changing the cage in which an animal is held isn't enough since

但大多時候，改變動物的籠子還是不足夠，

what the animal may find stressful is hard to assess.

因為動物們可能會發現壓力很難評估。

When these stresses go unnoticed the results can be really bad.

當這些壓力一直沒有被注意，會帶來很糟的結果。

For example the most recent loss was an entire stingray population at the Chicago Zoo because

例如最近在芝加哥動物園，有大量的魟魚，

of low oxygen levels in their tanks.

因為水池裡的氧氣不足而死亡。

In this case it was a malfunction of the habitats “life support system” that caused the

這事件裡，就是錯誤的使用生命保障系統，

death of four southern stingrays and 50 cownose rays.

而導致 4 隻美洲魟魚及 50 牛鼻魟的死亡。

This is the second incident that has taken place at the Chicago Zoo,

這是第二次發生在芝加哥動物園的悲劇，

in 2008 they lost 19 stingrays to a heating malfunction

2008 年 因著加熱器的故障，有 19 隻魟魚死亡，

and they have decided to close the exhibit for good.

從那時他們決定關閉展池。

Light and sound also have negative effects on animals held in captivity.

光及聲對於圈養動物也帶來負面的影響。

According to a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science noise levels measured

根據應用動物行為學所發表的研究，

in two Northern California zoos had sounds ranging from 62 to 72 decibels compared to

在兩個北加州的動物園做聲音測驗，其分貝可達 62 至 72 分貝，

the noise levels of a rainforest, which can average about 27 db.

對比在雨林裡的聲音，平均為 27 分貝。

Light levels are also higher than they're supposed to be, maintaining a low light situation

光的亮度也比他們想像的還要高，維持一個低光線的環境，

keeps animals less aggressive but if you don't have any lighting

可以降低動物的攻擊性，但如果什麼光也沒有，

how are you supposed to see the animals?

你要怎麼能看見動物呢？

When it comes to feeding, nothing seems easier than to have your food delivered and served

關於餵食，沒有什麼比直接把食物送到你面前更容易的事了，

but when it comes to lions and other carnivorous animals getting served zoo slop

但是對於獅子和肉食性動物來說，吃動物園的食物

can actually put them in danger.

可能會讓他們身陷危險。

Researchers at the San Diego Zoo studied cheetahs and their eating habits while in captivity.

學者研究聖地牙哥動物園中的印度豹，觀察他們在園中的飲食習性。

They gave one group the regular zoo cuisine of ground horse meat with a mix of vitamins

他們餵一組的豹吃動物園常吃的食物－馬肉並含有維他命及礦物質

and minerals but gave a second group thawed bovine fetus or half of a large carcass.

而另一組豹則是餵食解凍牛胎兒或是一半的牛屍體。

They noticed the group eating the carcasses took more time chewing

他們發現吃屍體的豹，對比第一組，牠們花較多的時間在咀嚼

and smelling their food than the first group.

和聞牠們的食物。

Pretty much they acted as they would normally in the wild, besides the whole hunting part.

撇除狩獵部分，牠們的行為幾乎跟在野外生活一樣。

Researchers discovered that processed foods lack a “hassle factor” which cheetahs

研究發現加工食品缺少了難咀嚼的食物，

need to dull down their molars and is critical for good dental hygiene.

這可以讓印度豹磨鈍牙齒，有助於口腔衛生。

The treatment of elephants are at the forefront of the debate against zoos.

對待大象的方式，是反對動物園辯論的最前線。

Elephants are used to living in huge matriarchal families and are innately social creatures,

大象住在龐大母系家庭裡，並且牠們天生就是群居動物，

but by being held in captivity with only one other elephant, that they may not

但只跟另一隻大象關在一起，他們可能

even be compatible with, causes stress and shortens their lifespan.

沒有辦法共處，這也會造成壓力及縮短他們的生命。

Elephants in captivity only live half as long as those who live in natural wildlife preserves.

圈養大象生命，只有野生動物保護區大象的一半而已。

African elephants can expect to live to 36 years old in Kenya's Amboseli National Park

非洲大象可以在肯亞安博塞利國家公園活到 36 歲，

compared to zoo elephants who live to be about 17 years old.

對比動物園裡的大象，只能活到約 17 歲。

Although some accredited zoos, like the Bronx Zoo and the San Diego zoo

僅管如此，有許官方認可的動物園，像是布朗克斯、聖地牙哥動物園，

are able to extend the lives of their elephants, the San Diego boasts

他們能延長大象的生命。聖地牙哥動物園自稱

some of their elephants live to be 40 years old.

他們有些大象可以活到 40 歲。

But not all zoos have the money to keep their parks running.

但並不是所有動物園都有足夠的錢去做這些，

Most zoos struggle with financing all of the needs of their animals, employees

多數動物園在財政上都有困難，不管是滿足動物需要、員工薪資

and maintenance of their parks.

以及園區的管理維護。

Some zoos apply for accreditation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums but

有些動物園申請美國動物園及水族館協會的認證，

only 10% of the 2,800 zoos in the U.S. actually get it this also distinguishes zoos from “roadside

但 2800 個動物園中只有 10% 可以拿到認證，而這也將動物園與

zoos” which are known for animal endangerment and mismanagement.

那些以管理不善及動物瀕危的「路邊動物園」區隔開來。

In order to be part of AZA each zoo must go through a process where experts examine the

要成為 AZA 協會的一員，動物園必須經過申請流程，專家會鑑定

zoos to make sure they are up to code and have employees who are qualified

園方是否符合所有規定，而員工是否有能力

to work in those environments.

在那樣的環境裡工作。

Accreditation matters because it makes these zoos eligible for grants, able to breed and

認證很重要因為這會讓動物園有資格獲得補助、可以飼養動物，

loan animals with other zoos and hire the best workers in the business.

也可以借動物給其他園區，聘請最好的員工來工作。

But before you go rally and protest your nearest zoo, it's not all bad news bears.

在你要去抗議住家附近的動物園時，想想其實它們也有一些優點在。

I cannot overstate the great educational value of zoos.

我無法誇大動物園所帶來多棒的教育意義。

Zoos are a great place to learn about animals for young and old alike.

動物園是讓所有年齡層的人都能學習的好地方。

It's a place to literally come face to face with some of the rarest animals in the world.

你可以在裡面，和那些世界上少見的動物面對面接觸。

Zoos introduce people to what the animal populations are like around the world

動物園向人們展示了世界各地的動物，

and educate people about conservation efforts.

也教導人們要盡力保育。

Visiting a zoo might even get you to donate to these efforts.

當你去到了動物園，你可能也參與在這奉獻中。

Meeting a Mountain Gorilla in person might make you want to save this endangered animal.

當你親自看見山地大猩猩，你可能會想要拯救這瀕臨絕種的動物，

And zoos want to save endangered species too.

而同樣的動物園也想保留住瀕危的動物們。

Dozens of zoos in North America actively participate in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

許多動物園積極參與美國動物園與水族館協會的

Species Survival Plan Program (SSP), which concentrates on finding dwindling populations,

物種生存計畫，專注在尋找那些縮減中的生物，

bring them into captivity and growing them until they are ready

帶牠們進入圈裡，養育牠們直到可以

to be released into their natural habitat.

再次回到牠們的自然棲息地。

SSP related programs have bolstered populations such as black-footed ferrets,

SSP 計畫 穩固了某些動物的品種，像是黑足鼬、加州神鷲

California condors and red wolves.

加州神鷲和紅狼。

Zoos also provide health care and services to animals who need it.

動物園也提供健康照顧及服務給有需要的動物們。

Many animals held in captivity were found in the wild wounded or stranded.

許多動物們在野外發現時，身體是受傷或被困住的，

Zoos give these animals a second chance at life, one they wouldn't of gotten

動物園給牠們再一次活下來的機會，牠們在野外

had they been left in the wild.

是沒有辦法活下來的。

When it comes to pros vs cons, as long as they are well managed and accredited and they

所以要說動物園的優點和缺點，只要它們妥善管理、有認證，而且

work on creating more natural habitats for their animals, zoos bring people closer to

能給予動物更多自然棲息地，動物園能夠讓人們

nature and might help save some of the most imperiled species on the planet.

更接近大自然，同時也能幫助到地球上許多面臨絕種的生物們。

What do you think?

你怎麼想？

How do you feel about zoos?

你覺得動物園怎麼樣呢？

Do you have a favorite zoo?

你有最喜歡的動物園嗎？

Tell us some of your recent zoo experiences down in the comments below.

可以再下方留言告訴我們，關於你近期去動物園的經歷。