SeaWorld’s announcement that it would cease breeding orcas and phase out “theatrical performance” using these animals seemed to represent a major shift in the way people view animals in captivity.
In interviews, Wayne Pacelle, President of the Humane Society of the United States, and Joel Manby, CEO of SeaWorld, promoted their new partnership. The two organizations have a history of mutual criticism but now say they will work together to help marine animals in distress. SeaWorld CEO Joel Manby said:
I can see that the society is changing. The idea of having these majestic, beautiful animals in human care is becoming less and less acceptable. No matter which side of the issue you’re on, it’s obvious that this is changing, and that we must change with it.
If there’s a change, it appears to be in the rhetoric used by the industries that exhibit large animals rather than the public’s comfort (or discomfort) with the sight of these animals in captivity.
Change with the times…
Anyone interested in the history and culture of exotic animal exhibitions will be a bit cynical when they hear that the expectations of the public have changed and that zoological parks, aquariums, and circuses have adapted to these changes.
SeaWorld/HSUS’ announcement echoes the news that Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus announced last year when they decided to retire elephants from performances and place them in a modern sanctuary. Both companies faced growing criticism that was affecting their bottom line. The companies appear to have taken business decisions in order to protect their brand and to refocus public attention on what they call more important core missions.
Both announcements were presented as a result of the realization that times have changed, “that society has shifted,” and that this change makes conditions better for animals held in captivity. This claim is used for more than just charismatic elephants and whales. It’s also applied to all sorts of new exhibits and policies.
This month, the London Zoo’s “breathtaking” new exhibit “Land of the Lions” will be opened. It will feature “thrilling and immersive Indian-themed spaces to explore, including a crumbling temple clearing,” a high street, and a guard hut. The exhibit will be described as an interactive adventure through which visitors “will get closer than ever to mighty Asiatic Lions.”
The video of the queen opening the exhibit is quite surprising. It shows two female lions who are “activated” when food is distributed in a small enclosure with wire fencing.
But times have changed for some time.
It’s unclear whether the queen was transported to India when she visited this exhibit. The zoo wants to make us believe that this exhibit is something completely new. This kind of claim is old hat.
In 1869, the Daily News in London published an editorial describing plans for a new lion enclosure at this zoo. The article referred to the “dismal cages” of the past and announced a new vision for “displaying lions, and tigers in what can be called a natural state.” The public could look forward to “lions playing, as free as their jungle home, and tigers crouching and springing with as much freedom as the low flats of India, their native land.”
Since the first public zoos were built in the 19th century, there has been a consistent pattern of rhetoric behind any new zoo, aquarium, or exhibit.
The argument usually goes like this: our old exhibits were disappointing, uninspiring, and small. Our new show, however, will finally give the impression that the animals aren’t in captivity. The animals will be happier, too.
Unfortunately, most of these new exhibits are less than what was expected or hoped for, or simply less.
It is not that the exhibits aren’t better. The animals that are on display today are generally healthier and better-taken care of.
Every new generation of exhibits tends to be better than the previous one. For example, the Oregon Zoo’s “Elephant Lands” exhibit has improved conditions for animals, keepers, and visitors. These changes were prompted by both public concern and the desire of designers and directors for better conditions for animals.
All of that does not change the reality of captivity. This fact, to the best of my knowledge, will continue to undermine any rhetorical gestures made declaring that a new era for people and animals is dawning.