The Captive Wildlife Crisis

For centuries man has captured wild animals for the purposes of display in zoos or zoo like settings. In the mid 1900's, as zoos became populated and stable, the need to capture animals from the wild was reduced. However, the number of animals in captivity continued to rise as a result of management practices. Some zoos believed that a prolific breeding program demonstrated their success in captive wildlife management while others knew that baby animals bring in more people and therefore more revenue.




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In either case, captive animal populations grew to be unsustainable due to size and budget constraints. Continual births of certain species left zoos with little choice but to euthanize or sell off extra animals that could no longer fit into the system.

Surplus animals, with no regard to their future well being, left the zoos and ended up in the hands of animal traders and private residences. This has created our current captive wildlife crisis. Commercialization, abuse, neglect and rampant breeding of these animals is the result. Today these animals can be found everywhere, from exotic Las Vegas shows, to your truck stop tiger in a cage, from shopping malls to roadside attractions to your neighbors very own back yard.




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Law enforcement agencies are continually forced to confiscate animals from unlicensed people who attempt to keep them as pets. Many exist in licensed facilities but that does not mean they are free of abuse and neglect. Because licensing regulations differ from country to country and state to state, it is difficult to regulate humane treatment.

Like many other social dilemmas, little was known about this until recently when animals have escaped, died or injured someone. Rescuing all of the unwanted animals will not solve the problem though it will make a difference in the lives of those animals. Education and awareness is where we need to start and the social pressure that an educated public can provide what we need to make changes in how we manage captive wild animals

Here is how you can help:
- Support A Wild Animal Sanctuary (they are the only place these animals can go, read about them below)
- Get Educated about this Crisis and learn how to be Effective (be part of the solution. become proactive in your area and spread the word about Captive Wildlife)
- Support Legislation that will make it illegal to own or breed Wildlife

I first learned of this crisis when visiting the Wild Animal Sanctuary this past November. The Wild Animal Sanctuary, located in eastern Colorado, is one of only 15 sanctuaries that rescues captive large carnivores who have been abused, exploited, abandoned or kept illegally. The Wild Animal Sanctuary is home to over 200 of the most magnificent creatures on this planet. African Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Leopards, Mountain Lions, Servals, Bobcats, Wolves and Bears. Their goal is to make the life of the animals that have been rescued as close to how it would be if they could choose it, with dignity and respect. They also work to educate the population about the captive wildlife crisis we are currently facing.

The multi species habitats at the sanctuary range from 5 to 25 acres and are quite impressive. From a raised catwalk above the central hub of the center you can look out over all of the enclosures and watch the animals. At the sanctuary you can read each individual animals story, about how they came to be there from a lifetime of captivity and abuse. These stories are truly heart wrenching and I would encourage you to visit the site at - www.WildanimalSanctuary.org - and read the stories for yourself. Also learn more about this crisis and how we can begin to make a difference and put an end to it.



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