In this blog post, I’ll examine issues surrounding zoo housing conditions, animal shows, and laws and regulations for animal welfare, and reflect on what a zoo means as a place where animals and humans can both be happy.

Are animals really happy in zoos?

May, the queen of seasons, is just around the corner. It’s no surprise that zoos—a prime destination for experiencing nature in the city—are particularly crowded in May. I recently visited a zoo, and watching all kinds of animals—who had been huddled up all winter—running and playing soothed my heart, weary from the daily grind. Yet even as I enjoyed watching the animals, a sense of unease began to settle in the back of my mind. This was because, among the animals at the zoo, some were pacing restlessly and repeating strange behaviors, while others stared listlessly at visitors from their cramped enclosures. Unlike the people visiting the zoo, the animals there did not seem particularly happy. For the past several decades, the zoo’s practice of forcibly removing animals from their natural habitats and confining them to small spaces has caused them extreme suffering. Unable to endure the poor living conditions and boredom, these animals suffer from chronic illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorders and often exhibit a condition called “stereotypy,” in which they mindlessly repeat a single behavior for long periods. Animals like bears may shake their bodies, spin in circles in the same spot, or even eat their own feces. Felines such as tigers, jaguars, and lions, as well as canids like wolves, often pace back and forth endlessly from one side of their enclosure to the other. These behaviors can be viewed as a form of compulsive and repetitive behavior. For animals confined to unfamiliar enclosures, living and dying as mere spectacles for human amusement, the zoo must have been nothing short of hell.

Are animal shows educational or a source of suffering?

The issue is even more serious in the case of “animal shows,” which feature animals in performances. Zoos train highly intelligent animals—such as elephants, monkeys, and dolphins—to perform tricks, providing entertainment for visitors. To train wild animals to adopt postures or behaviors that are completely foreign to their natural instincts and even cause physical discomfort, trainers sometimes resort to food deprivation or physical punishment. Zoos claim that animals enjoy performing and that the “bond” between keepers and animals makes training possible. However, considering that it is absolutely impossible for a wild elephant to voluntarily jump through a hula hoop or for a killer whale—the ocean’s apex predator—to swim while carrying a person, the claim that training was achieved through “positive reinforcement” sounds preposterous. Positive reinforcement refers to a specific stimulus—such as providing something the animal enjoys immediately after a certain behavior occurs—that increases the frequency or likelihood of that behavior. It can be thought of as similar to the “reward” we commonly use, and reinforcers can be divided into material reinforcers, such as food or toys, and social reinforcers, such as petting, hugging, or praise. Primates, elephants, and dolphins are animals that exhibit a high level of cognitive ability. Given that these animals possess the ability to perceive themselves and their surroundings, it is necessary to consider the possibility that artificial and aimless repetitive training may cause them mental distress. While it is argued that such training has “educational value,” for this argument to be persuasive, there must be a social consensus that animal shows provide ecological education to children. It is difficult to say that such a consensus has been sufficiently established. On the contrary, some European countries are moving toward stricter regulations on animal shows, particularly those involving cetaceans. For example, France passed a law in 2021 banning performances involving cetaceans and direct contact with the public, and is also phasing out the keeping and breeding of cetaceans in principle.

How has South Korea’s zoo legislation changed?

The fact that zoo animals, despite being living beings, are kept in conditions that make it difficult for them to be treated as such was evident even in South Korea’s past legal standards for zoos. However, this legal environment has since changed significantly. Currently, the “Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums” is in effect in South Korea. This law regulates matters related to the licensing and management of zoos and aims to conserve and research wildlife, provide accurate information on their ecology and behavior, and promote the welfare of animals in captivity and the conservation of biodiversity. Currently, anyone wishing to operate a zoo must meet certain requirements and obtain a license from the relevant city or provincial governor; zoos operated by local governments or other entities must obtain a license from the Minister of Climate, Energy, and Environment in cases specified by law. Licensing requirements include habitat standards for each animal species, standards for professional staff, disease management plans, safety management plans, and plans for the care of animals in the event of suspension or closure. Therefore, the view that there are no laws protecting the welfare of zoo animals—as was the case in the past—is inconsistent with the current legal framework.

How are zoo animals protected overseas?

Even if zoo animals cannot enjoy the same quality of life as they would in their natural habitats, specific standards and ongoing care are necessary to ensure they are not neglected in poor conditions or subjected to inadequate management. So, how are animal rights and welfare protected overseas?
First, looking at the United Kingdom, the “Zoo Licensing Act 1981” establishes regulations governing zoo licensing, inspections, and operational standards. The UK’s zoo operational standards are based on the key principle of providing an appropriate environment and a high level of care for animal welfare, while allowing animals to express normal behaviors as much as possible. Currently, in the UK, zoos that display wild animals to the public for a certain period of time or longer must obtain a license, and regular inspections are conducted to verify compliance with licensing conditions. Additionally, zoos must contribute to biodiversity education and carry out at least one conservation activity, such as conservation research, training, sharing conservation information, captive breeding, or reintroduction into the wild. The UK’s zoo operating standards address not only animal welfare but also public safety, conservation, and education.
In particular, the UK’s zoo operating standards address animal welfare based on five principles, known as the “Five Freedoms.” These principles state that animals must be provided with adequate food and water, live in a suitable environment, receive health care, have the opportunity to express normal behavior, and be protected from fear and suffering. These standards reflect the view that animals are living beings rather than mere objects of display, and that housing environments must be designed with their biological and behavioral needs in mind.
The EU also established a directive in 1999 regarding the keeping of wild animals in zoos. This directive requires member states to issue licenses for and inspect zoos, with the aim of ensuring that zoos contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. Zoos must participate in research and education that aids in species conservation, the exchange of conservation information, and, where necessary, captive breeding, as well as restoration and reintroduction to the wild; they must also enhance public education and awareness regarding biodiversity conservation. They also require zoos to provide environments that meet the biological and conservation needs of each animal, as well as to implement species-appropriate environmental enrichment, veterinary care, and nutritional management. Several countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Denmark, have also established systems governing zoo operations and animal husbandry standards.

What else is needed in South Korea’s zoo system?

South Korea’s current system has also undergone significant changes compared to the past. The “Act on the Management of Zoos and Aquariums” established a licensing system for zoos and stipulates requirements regarding the habitats of animals in their care, specialized staff, disease and safety management, operational and management records, and inspections. Furthermore, through the zoo and aquarium inspector system, it ensures that individuals with expertise in animal ecology and animal welfare can assist with on-site investigations and inspections. Therefore, the current discussion must go beyond the mere existence of zoo-related laws and focus on whether the standards set by law are being fully implemented in practice, whether the species-specific characteristics and behavioral needs of animals are properly reflected in their housing environments, and whether the management and oversight systems are functioning effectively.
To resolve these issues, it is necessary to continuously refine the systems governing the establishment and operation of zoos and to improve existing relevant laws and standards to better align with reality. In this process, the following issues require discussion.
First, the definition, scope, and role of zoos must be clearly defined. This will help clarify the roles and functions of zoos, which are currently scattered across various laws and systems.
Second, the expansion of zoo certification systems, such as those in the EU and the United Kingdom, could be considered. A certification system can encourage zoo management entities to maintain a consistent focus on zoo management and can also help provide visitors with accurate information regarding the zoo’s management and operational practices.
Third, the roles of the ministry in charge of zoo management and related agencies must be clearly established based on the zoo’s primary functions and the management of related personnel, and the division of responsibilities with local governments should also be considered.

What role should zoos play?

While it is important to establish systems that improve the treatment of animals on display through such discussions, given that the animals on display are living beings, we need to reconsider the very meaning and function of zoos themselves. People often say that zoos are educational venues where visitors can learn about animals and realize the importance of the environment. However, in actual zoos, it can be difficult to fully learn about an animal’s ecological habits and way of life in the wild beyond its physical appearance. There is even a risk of conveying the mistaken message that it is justified to separate wild animals—which are part of their natural environment—from their habitats, confine them, and treat them as objects of spectacle. Of course, the current zoo system goes beyond mere exhibition, with biodiversity conservation, research, education, and animal welfare as its primary functions. Therefore, the key is not to unconditionally maintain or abolish zoos, but to continuously assess whether they are actually fulfilling these roles properly.

Is there a way to avoid displaying animals directly?

One suggestion I would like to make in this regard is to observe animal ecology in their natural habitats. In doing so, clear boundaries must be established to ensure that the animals’ lives and their habitats are not adversely affected. Just like flocks of migratory birds that move with the seasons, there are many opportunities around us to catch a glimpse of animals’ mysterious behaviors if we just look a little closer. Utilizing visual media such as movies, documentaries, and the internet is also a good approach. Gradually, it is becoming possible to create exhibits that convey educational information without displaying live animals, using advanced technologies like 3D and video equipment. The important point is that confining animals for public display is not the only way to educate people about them.

Is a zoo where both animals and humans can be happy possible?

It is often said that welfare begins with concern for the vulnerable. South Korea now has laws in place aimed at licensing and managing zoos and aquariums, as well as promoting the welfare of the animals in their care. However, the mere existence of laws and regulations does not automatically guarantee animal welfare. We must create housing environments that take into account the animals’ ecological habits and behavioral needs, reduce unnecessary displays and performances, and continuously manage and improve zoos so that they can properly fulfill their original roles of conservation and education. If more people take a greater interest in animal welfare and become aware of the issues, we can build zoos and a society where animals are happy—and, in turn, humans are happy as well.