A recent expert critique by the international organization In Defense of Animals (IDA) has found major deficiencies in a 2007 report by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which states that such places of public display are of educational benefit.

Supreme Master Television spoke with lead author Dr. Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and expert on dolphin and whale intelligence at Emory University in the US.

Dr. Lori Marino, neuroscientist and expert on dolphin and whale intelligence, Emory University, USA (f): Because it’s not peer reviewed, it’s basically published without any evaluation by the scientific community.
Peer review,peer evaluation, you don’t do it, then essentially, anybody could put up any claim about anything.

VOICE: The more recent IDA study, entitled “Do Zoos and Aquariums Promote Attitude Change in Visitors?” was published in the peer-reviewed journal Society & Animals.

Dr. Lori Marino(f): Basically we applied very, very simple analyses; these are sort of “Basic Research Methods 101.” There’s so many basic flaws. And so what we did is address and describe those flaws in their study in our critique. We also suggested ways that their study could have been a more valid study and been a more rigorous study, if they decided to do that.

VOICE: Catherine Doyle, a vegan elephant specialist with IDA, further emphasized the study’s significant implications.

Catherine Doyle, Elephant specialist, In Defense of Animals, USA – Vegan (F): Basically, we feel that it is wrong for zoos and aquariums to make education claims based on a flawed study that’s not even peer reviewed and then to market those claims to the public as fact.

As the public becomes more aware of animal issues, zoos and aquariums are desperately trying to justify holding animals for public display.

Especially those in extremely inappropriate conditions such as orcas and elephants who suffer terribly as a result.

VOICE: As Dr. Lori Marino explains, these artificial settings further degrade the credibility of claims that such facilities enhance visitors’ understanding and attitudes toward other animals and conservation. Rather, she offers more reliable and humane alternatives.

Dr. Lori Marino (f): What they should do is go to see the animals in the wild. Go to see the animals in their own in their own environment or watch a film.

I think the best thing that we can do is to not degrade their natural habitat. It’s very important that we allow animals to have the habitat that they adapted to.

Probably the best thing we could do for animals is to meet them on their terms or leave them alone and let them live the lives that they were meant to live.

VOICE: Our sincere appreciation, Dr. Marino, Catherine Doyle, In Defense of Animals, and all scientists involved for revealing through such well-documented research the need for alternatives to zoos and aquariums for learning about animals in nature.

May the day soon be realized when we view and respect our wildlife co-inhabitants as free equals helping to beautify our world.