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Zoo Penguins: Behavior, Habitat, Conservation And Criticism
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Published: January 21, 2008
Always dressed for a formal occasions, penguins are the quintessential animals that make anyone want to coo. The general appeal of these stout, waddling animals not only is found with their proper appearances, but with their interactions among each other as well. These social and mischievous animals are a joy to observe, and thanks to many parks worldwide this is possible.
Watching penguins in captivity provides amazing insight into their habits and behaviors, but it also lends way to ethical and moral questions. Captive penguins draw crowds of admirers, but does that make it right?
The diversity of penguin species is vast, with between 17 and 20 different varieties. Artificial habitats aid in seeing the different species and understanding how they live. Sea World San Diego is one of the only places to see emperor penguins, the most common species. Sea World San Diego is home to 350 penguins, living in wintry exhibits complete with snow and frigid temperatures. The animals can be seen collecting rocks, building nests and laying eggs; actions that would not likely be seen in the wild by the general public.
Boston's aquarium boasts 64 penguins, and their distinct mannerisms are sure to lead to laughter among the visiting crowds. The African penguins bellow loudly when their mates stray, or may lend a sideways glare to an imposing enemy. The penguins at Boston's aquarium, and elsewhere, bow to each other simultaneously, signifying appeasement. Captivity provides the rare opportunity to behold these behaviors and learn from them.
Some penguin behavior that has stirred up a whirlwind of controversy is occurring at Central Park Zoo. Silo and Roy are two penguins that share mutual affection for one another, and both happen to be male. Preference of the same sex among animals is seen often in wildlife, but through captivity it can be examined more closely in a controlled environment. The two penguins even cared for and hatched a fertilized egg, just as would any other heterosexual duo. This brought about many criticisms, and even an attempt to turn the tiny penguins 'straight;' obviously enough, this was unsuccessful. This is one instance where captivity helped to prove something noteworthy; although sex was once seen as used only for reproduction in animals, it is apparently not the case.
Although the studying and documenting of rituals and mannerisms among penguins is made easy by captivity, ethical criticisms also arise. There seems to be a fine line between conservation and education versus exploitation and deprivation of freedom. Conservation acts, such as the Species Survival Plan, are enacted by many institutions to help to maintain and preserve species; Sea World San Diego is one such place. However, many do not see this as conservation, but more as captivation of what should be free animals. 'Good zoos' are helping to change this black and white debate by offering healthy and positive habitats in which penguins reside. As long as enclosures are properly managed and personnel is properly trained, penguins can live healthy and happy lives, even if not in the wild.
There will continue to be controversy over whether the captivity of penguins is ethical and just. Despite criticisms, the emphasis should remain on their well-being. Artificial habitats aid in the breeding of penguins, as well as provide great understanding of their interactions and lives. Although being housed in a zoo may mean the penguins are not free, as long as they are cared for, nurtured and protected, these animated animals can live a happy and well-provided for existence.
Sources:
"Penguin." Wikipedia. 16 Oct. 2007. 18 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin.
Tutelian, Louise. "The Penguins Among Us; Where the Birds Waddle." The New York Times. 28 Oct. 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0 CE0DF1E3FF93BA15753C1A9639C8B63&n=Top/News/Sci />
Kurtus, Ron. "Zoo Penguins Change Behavior and Culture." School for Champions. 8 May 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://schoolforchampions.com/behavior/penguins.ht m.
Smith, Dinita. "Central Park Zoo's Gay Penguins Ignite Debate." San Francisco Chronicle. 7 Feb. 2004. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2 004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL.
"Penguins Conservation and Research." Sea World.org. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/pen guin/conservation.htm.
"About Zoos." Good Zoos. 29 July 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.goodzoos.com/about.htm.
The diversity of penguin species is vast, with between 17 and 20 different varieties. Artificial habitats aid in seeing the different species and understanding how they live. Sea World San Diego is one of the only places to see emperor penguins, the most common species. Sea World San Diego is home to 350 penguins, living in wintry exhibits complete with snow and frigid temperatures. The animals can be seen collecting rocks, building nests and laying eggs; actions that would not likely be seen in the wild by the general public.
Boston's aquarium boasts 64 penguins, and their distinct mannerisms are sure to lead to laughter among the visiting crowds. The African penguins bellow loudly when their mates stray, or may lend a sideways glare to an imposing enemy. The penguins at Boston's aquarium, and elsewhere, bow to each other simultaneously, signifying appeasement. Captivity provides the rare opportunity to behold these behaviors and learn from them.
Some penguin behavior that has stirred up a whirlwind of controversy is occurring at Central Park Zoo. Silo and Roy are two penguins that share mutual affection for one another, and both happen to be male. Preference of the same sex among animals is seen often in wildlife, but through captivity it can be examined more closely in a controlled environment. The two penguins even cared for and hatched a fertilized egg, just as would any other heterosexual duo. This brought about many criticisms, and even an attempt to turn the tiny penguins 'straight;' obviously enough, this was unsuccessful. This is one instance where captivity helped to prove something noteworthy; although sex was once seen as used only for reproduction in animals, it is apparently not the case.
Although the studying and documenting of rituals and mannerisms among penguins is made easy by captivity, ethical criticisms also arise. There seems to be a fine line between conservation and education versus exploitation and deprivation of freedom. Conservation acts, such as the Species Survival Plan, are enacted by many institutions to help to maintain and preserve species; Sea World San Diego is one such place. However, many do not see this as conservation, but more as captivation of what should be free animals. 'Good zoos' are helping to change this black and white debate by offering healthy and positive habitats in which penguins reside. As long as enclosures are properly managed and personnel is properly trained, penguins can live healthy and happy lives, even if not in the wild.
There will continue to be controversy over whether the captivity of penguins is ethical and just. Despite criticisms, the emphasis should remain on their well-being. Artificial habitats aid in the breeding of penguins, as well as provide great understanding of their interactions and lives. Although being housed in a zoo may mean the penguins are not free, as long as they are cared for, nurtured and protected, these animated animals can live a happy and well-provided for existence.
Sources:
"Penguin." Wikipedia. 16 Oct. 2007. 18 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin.
Tutelian, Louise. "The Penguins Among Us; Where the Birds Waddle." The New York Times. 28 Oct. 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0 CE0DF1E3FF93BA15753C1A9639C8B63&n=Top/News/Sci />
Kurtus, Ron. "Zoo Penguins Change Behavior and Culture." School for Champions. 8 May 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://schoolforchampions.com/behavior/penguins.ht m.
Smith, Dinita. "Central Park Zoo's Gay Penguins Ignite Debate." San Francisco Chronicle. 7 Feb. 2004. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2 004/02/07/MNG3N4RAV41.DTL.
"Penguins Conservation and Research." Sea World.org. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/info-books/pen guin/conservation.htm.
"About Zoos." Good Zoos. 29 July 2005. 18 Oct. 2007. http://www.goodzoos.com/about.htm.
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