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Exotic Animals Belong in the Wild, Not in Zoos
International artist and long-time PETA supporter Anoushka Shankar is raising awareness about the thousands of animals who lead miserable lives in zoos all across India.Anoushka’s compassion for animals is well known. Pt Ravi Shankar and Anoushka appeared in a 30-second public service announcement for PETA India in which they struck a chord against animal suffering. The famous father and daughter made a plea for the country’s elephants, cows, dogs, birds and other animals who live and die in misery – in part because of the outdated, inadequate penalties for cruelty to animals in the 47-year-old Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCAA).
Anoushka posed in a beautiful cat suit (designed by famous designer Sandeep Khosla) by draping herself on a branch of a tree while holding a sign reading, “Exotic Animals Belong in the Wild, Not in Zoos”.
Why is Anoushka so upset about the conditions in Indian zoos? For years, as many major publications have reported, Indian zoos have been in a dilapidated state. Statistics show that every year, 10 to 15 per cent of the animals in India's 258 zoos die.
Most people are not aware of these conditions, and zoos promote the myth that they educate the public and help to preserve endangered species. Despite their professed concern for animals, zoos serve more as “collections” of interesting “items” than as actual havens or simulated habitats. Most zoo enclosures are too small for their occupants, and the labels do not give any valuable information to the public. As a result of close confinement and the lack of privacy, mental stimulation and exercise, most animals indulge in abnormal and self-destructive behaviours called “zoochosis”, such as repeated head-bobbing, the biting of cage bars, pacing, miscarriages, playing with excrement and severe self-mutilation. Zoos teach people that it is acceptable to keep animals in captivity, bored, cramped, lonely and far away from their natural homes.
PETA has conducted an investigation of more than 30 zoos across the country. Click here to view the reports.
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