My personal struggle with the concept of zoos and captivity

“Blackfish” left a bad taste in my mouth for all animal captivity. After watching the documentary, I swore off all aquariums, zoos and things alike, until recently. I went on a trip to the Georgia Aquarium and I couldn’t believe my friends had tricked me into going to this installment of animal exploitation. How could I put money into the hands of these people who use the beauty of animals for the sake of human entertainment? Who had I become? I was a fraud, a fake animal-lover. But I had already bought my ticket, and everyone seemed excited to see the “fishies,” so I went.

Of course, seeing all the creatures I would have never seen ignited my closeted feelings of seeing creatures that seemed otherworldly. I almost cried seeing a beluga whale for the first time. It was probably a combination of witnessing their incredible cuteness up close and realizing they were trapped in a glass cage, never to see the freedom of the ocean.

As I stared at the African penguin exhibit in the Georgia Aquarium, the scene from “Happy Feet” clouded my head. It was the part where free-spirited, grown-up Mumble finds himself in a zoo exhibit and essentially goes crazy (cue him smashing his head into the mural-painted wall). I thought how those silly little black-and-white creatures must be going crazy. But maybe they knew nothing else besides this captive lifestyle, so it made no difference to them. In addition, the enclosure does bring awareness to the animal conservation efforts, so maybe the captivity of an extremely small percentage of the species’ population does more good for the survival of the population as a whole.

Who knew a trip to the aquarium would have me postulating existential questions about what it means to be free and the sacrifices needed for the greater good? My opinion about zoos and aquariums slowly started to shift, but I felt like a fraud by beginning to see the philosophy behind installments like aquariums and zoos. Then, just when I needed it most, the voice over of the aquarium was like the voice of God, telling me I was not actually a fake but just miseducated. From the intercom, I learned the Georgia Aquarium is non-profit and partners with research organizations to help further understand and help the species kept in the aquarium’s care.

After doing some research of my own, I found that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation is a good indication of an institution’s legitimacy, which is just one of the accreditations the Georgia Aquarium has. Next time you plan to go to a zoo or aquarium, check to see if it’s non-profit and find out the conservation initiatives it partners with. Do a little research before buying your ticket. Make sure your money helps not only the animals you see, but also the animals in the wilderness in need of conservation and research efforts.

I loved seeing all the animals, but a part of me still hated myself for it. Life was unfair. Who knows, maybe in another life I’d be the beluga whale trapped in the tank, damned to a life of captivity for the sake of awareness and preservation. But I’m not a fish or a beluga whale (sadly). I’m human, and it’s humanity’s job to protect these animals any way we can. Whether it is through non-profit zoos, conservation initiatives or simple practices to reduce our harm to the ocean, it’s our duty to do something, anything, to help. Because if you’re fortunate enough to see the beauty of a rare animal up close, you’re lucky enough to do something to protect them.

Jackie DeFreitas is a UF journalism junior. Her column appears on Wednesdays.

Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash