Wild animals are simply amazing. Their beauty, personalities, uniqueness, majesty, and awesomeness are just some of the reasons why millions of people tune in to watch the latest nature documentaries. While some people are happy to simply admire these incredible wild animals from the comfort of their homes, others want to feel a deeper connection with them and so go out to visit and engage with ‘wild’ animals in what is known as the wildlife entertainment industry. Despite many of these people going with good intentions, the wildlife entertainment industry is rife with exploitation and suffering, causing great harm to animals.

This industry ultimately does what it says in its title – it uses wild animals to entertain humans. It often shrouds its true intentions by claiming that it exists to serve wildlife by providing a space for these animals to live, yet the overwhelming majority do not serve these animals. In reality, the $300 billion wildlife entertainment industry physically and psychologically torments animals into performing behaviors that can be sold for a high price or look ‘cute’ in a selfie.

The complete list of wildlife attractions would fill a book, so this article will highlight some of the most common and cruel attractions in the wildlife entertainment industry. Examining these different attractions through the lens of common ethical arguments and insights from Judaism will help provide a broader view of whether or not people, including you, should visit and support them.

Captive Animals for Entertainment

Zoos

Zoos are considered fun day-outs for the family, with over 181 million people visiting US zoos and aquariums annually. Primarily geared towards children, they educate people about the animals they keep. Many zoos claim that they exist to support conservation efforts of wild and endangered animals through financial support from ticket sales, increasing awareness through education, or helping to maintain a diverse set of genetics across the species.

Some classical Jewish scholars argue that visiting zoos is permissible as it allows people to fulfill the “M’shaneh Habriyot” prayer. This prayer acts as a way for us to recognize and praise diversity and differences between us, other humans, and animals. While it is true that we can become more appreciative of G-d’s creations through exposure to them, we now live in an age where we can do this through screens rather than through the metal bars or glass walls of an enclosure. In fact, nature documentaries offer us the opportunity to get closer and learn more about wild animals than we can in a zoo, and many of these documentaries are produced by experts who ensure that the wildlife is respected and not damaged from the filming.

Unlike the non-interference policy of nature documentaries, many zoo animals are forcibly taken directly from the wild, often as infants, to help them transition to a life of captivity. This causes significant trauma to the captured animal and its mother left in the wild and poses risks to the local populations of that species. Proponents of zoos explain that keeping wild animals captive will help with future reintroduction efforts, yet these animals struggle in wild environments as they have missed out on the key social and survival skills needed to survive.

Moreover, zoos are artificial environments, and the animals often live in overcrowded, unnatural, non-native climates and are constantly in the presence of humans. As a result, animals suffer psychological distress, and their behavior may be altered due to this confinement. Examples of the psychosis caused by zoos, also known as “zoochosis,” include constant pacing, picking fur, and other repetitive abnormal behaviors.

Zoos praise themselves for having high welfare standards, yet in reality, they cause great animal suffering. Wild animals are built to live in the wild, not in artificial spaces. Despite the fact that animals do not enjoy being in the presence of humans, even from a distance, three-fourths of zoos allow humans to directly interact with animals, causing physical or psychological harm to the animals. In addition, zoo caretakers have been found to hit animals or engage in other harmful training techniques. This poor treatment, coupled with the inappropriate living conditions, cannot truly be considered good for animal welfare.

The Tenach helps us to understand why we should not support zoos. We are taught to prevent the suffering of animals through the principle of Tzaar Baali Chayim. However, due to the range of physical and psychological harm caused to animals kept in captivity, we can see that zoos clearly violate the principles of Tzaar Baali Chayim.

Aquariums

Aquariums and zoos are similar in design, yet zoos typically have land-based animals, whereas aquariums have water-based animals. The fact that many aquariums, such as SeaWorld, describe themselves as ‘theme parks’ should give us an insight into their priorities. They do not exist for the wellbeing of the animals trapped there, but rather to exploit these animals for human entertainment.

Some people justify aquariums’ existence by reiterating the commonly held belief that fish do not feel pain and aren’t conscious. Yet, this doesn’t hold up to the latest research, which proves that many fish, like us, are sentient beings. Investigations into the most popular aquariums in the US have found that fish there are kept in harmful enclosure designs and demonstrate abnormal behaviors. In addition, in contrast to the majority of aquariums justifying their existence through education and conservation, there was a lack of these initiatives in these facilities.

While keeping fish in captivity is bad, it is nothing compared to keeping marine mammals in captivity, such as dolphins and whales. Various documentaries have exposed the cruel conditions in which captive whales and dolphins are kept. These vastly intelligent animals are used to living in social groups and being free to explore the vastness of the ocean. However, many are captured from the wild through distressing methods and held captive in aquariums and theme parks. Due to the strong social bonds these animals create, taking children from their mothers causes visible and audible pain and clearly contrasts with Shiluach Haken, the commandment of sending away a mother bird from the nest before you take its eggs. This commandment recognizes the close bond shared between mother and child and seeks to minimize pain caused by their separation.

When in captivity, these animals undergo abusive training techniques that cause physical and psychological harm, all so that they can perform tricks on demand to please spectators. The stress of being trapped in a tank leads dolphins to exhibit destructive behaviors, such as bullying tank mates and causing damage to their teeth from chewing on enclosure walls due to boredom and frustration. Captivity also leads to physical harm, such as sunburn, fin flop, and skin wounds.

Pseudo-Sanctuaries

Due to humans, many animals are on their way to, or are on the verge of, extinction. Species in today’s society are going extinct at a rate up to 10,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate, and so people are working to protect and conserve vulnerable species in sanctuaries. Some sanctuaries do a fantastic job protecting animals and aiding the survival of the species; however, some ‘sanctuaries’ prey on people’s compassion and use the allure of endangered animals to get income from tourists.

Known as ‘pseudo-sanctuaries’, these facilities operate to serve the interests of humans rather than of the animals that they contain. If you’re struggling to visualize what I mean, just think about Netlfix’s Tiger King. Animals kept in captivity at these pseudo-sanctuaries are subject to awful living conditions, poor welfare and husbandry and find no relief or pleasure from being kept in these facilities.

Part of the issue is that there is no legal definition of a ‘sanctuary,’ so anyone can claim they are operating one. As a result, many pseudo-sanctuaries have cropped up to benefit from the increased generosity people show towards sanctuaries compared to zoos. These bald-faced lies clearly contradict the Torah’s instruction to “keep a distance from falsehood.” Not only is it a sin for the ‘sanctuary’ to lie about its true nature, but it is also a sin for a Jew to visit, pay money to, or defend these places.

In addition to deceiving, these pseudo-sanctuaries harm the animals they claim to be saving, transgressing the teachings of Tzaar Baali Chayim. Animals are often kept in tiny, filthy cages that bear no resemblance to their natural environment. As is the case with zoo animals, they also often experience zoochosis due to boredom, loneliness, and deprivation.

Elephant pseudo-sanctuaries are a popular yet deeply disturbing example of how wildlife is exploited for profit. Ranked as the cruelest form of wildlife entertainment, people are often allowed to ride on elephants in these ‘sanctuaries.’ To force elephants to give rides, baby elephants are separated from their mothers and subjected to a brutal training method known as “the crush.” This week-long process confines the young elephants in small cages and inflicts pain to break their spirits and establish dominance. This causes both physical pain to the baby elephant and lifelong psychological damage. Once the elephant has been ‘trained,’ they are forced to perform, give rides, or accept human interaction day after day. Due to the size of elephants and their potential to harm humans, handlers often use painful bull hooks to control them.

These practices clearly conflict with Jewish teachings. They violate Tzaar Baalei Chayim, the prohibition against causing unnecessary harm to animals, due to the immense suffering inflicted on elephants. They also violate Shiluach Haken, which commands sending away a mother bird before taking her eggs. This is reflected in the cruel practice of tearing baby elephants away from their mothers.

Another example of pseudo-sanctuaries is Bear Parks, ranked as the fourth cruelest practice in the wildlife entertainment industry. Some bear parks, such as those in Japan, began as genuinely altruistic endeavors, yet over time, they have morphed into concrete prisons for these animals and act as a ‘fun’ stop for the tourists who visit them. In these parks, bears are either forced to perform circus tricks or confined to cages, serving as mere spectacles for tourists to photograph and observe.

Unsurprisingly, the bears suffer greatly and often show signs of depression, lose their fur, or become involved in fights with other bears. These usually solitary animals may be kept with hundreds of other bears in close proximity, causing extremely stressful situations for the bears. Bear parks around the world, including in the US, market themselves as sanctuaries. Far from being sanctuaries, these concrete prisons violate basic morality and do not align with the teachings of Judaism.

Taken together, while some argue that visiting zoos, aquariums, and sanctuaries allows us to appreciate animals, they actually exploit and damage both wild and captive animals. If you really want to learn more about animals, documentaries are the ethical way to do so.

Performing Animals

Without even pretending to attempt to justify their existence for the greater good of the animals, circuses and other types of animal performances are some of the cruelest forms of animal entertainment. Animals, nearly always abused, are put on display for the entertainment of humans. These displays range from wearing outfits or jumping through flaming hoops, all the way to being stabbed multiple times in front of a cheering audience.

Circuses

At some point in our lives, we’ve all probably attended a circus or at least seen it advertised. These traveling shows are known for putting on displays of the uncommon, drawing in audiences who marvel at their oddities. Many circuses like to add animals into their show, mainly exotic animals that many people have not seen in the flesh. What they like to do in particular, in order to add to the ‘magic’ of the circus performers, is to force these wild animals into performing tricks and other forms of controlled behavior. Investigations have shown abuse, poor living conditions, and both injuries and death to the animals and their handlers. In addition to the abuse and sedation of these animals in order to get them to perform, they are also forced to repeatedly travel long distances to travel with the rest of the circus, something that these animals find extremely stressful. Judaism has long recognized the cruelty of the circus, and the Targum Yonatan interprets the Torah to warn us that “cursed are you when you enter your theaters and circuses against the law”. 

Bullfights

Bullfighting has been a Spanish tradition for centuries, and has also spread to other parts of the world. When shown in media, we often see the matador waving their red flag and avoiding the horns of the charging bull. However, when seen in real life, we witness multiple people on horseback plunging spears into the scared bull’s back, followed by men on foot who stab the bull with even more blades, and then once the bull has given up all hope of escape, the matador plunges their sword into the spine of the bull to paralyze it. Some fans of bullfighting explain that bullfights show respect and reverence for the bull, yet it’s hard to understand how repeatedly stabbing and killing an animal can possibly show respect for it. Due to the cruelty involved in bullfighting, it is no surprise that Rabbi Ovadia Yosef described bullfighting as opposed to Torah values and “a culture of sinful and cruel people”.

Monkeys

When we look into the eyes of a monkey or ape, it is hard not to see some semblance of ourselves in these highly intelligent and social animals. Perhaps it is this resemblance to us that makes people want to see them engaging in typically human behaviors, such as walking, or wearing clothes or makeup. While some people might get a cheap laugh out of seeing a monkey doing something that monkeys don’t typically do, if we look beyond the surface of the dancing monkey industry, we see that it is no laughing matter. Monkey entertainment is very popular in Indonesia, but we can also place blame for this practice on the tourists who visit and buy tickets to these events. Baby monkeys are usually stolen from the wild, ‘trained’ with abusive techniques in order to instill fear, and then are repeatedly forced to dance and perform tricks for groups of tourists while dressed up in costumes. Having already covered the fact that Judaism prohibits harm against animals and separating babies from their mothers, we can be assured that dancing monkey shows are not aligned with Jewish values.

Swimming with Dolphins

While most animals in aquariums are kept away from interacting with the public, there are types of dolphin ‘entertainment’ that allow humans to touch and disturb the animals. Swimming with dolphins is often romanticized in pop culture, but in reality, it can be traumatic to the dolphins and potentially dangerous to humans.

There are upwards of 14 ‘swimming with dolphins’ providers in the United States, a mix of marine parks and dedicated facilities. Dolphins in these facilities are often kept in inappropriate conditions, are not allowed to exhibit their natural behaviors, and have a high mortality rate.

The story for humans isn’t great either. As the dolphins are not allowed to live in their usual large and complex social groups, they can mistakenly expect humans to fulfill the roles of other dolphins. This has led to injuries from sexual aggression, such as cuts, bite marks, internal injuries, broken bones, and shock.

Many of the dolphins in these facilities are ‘trained’ to allow interactions with humans. As already discussed, these training techniques can be physically and psychologically damaging. There are some places, such as The Dolphin Reef in Eilat, which enforce a non-intervention and non-interaction policy. In cases like these, it might be acceptable to take part, but care should always be taken to not cause stress to the animals or harm to their environment.

Sea Turtles

Holding sea turtles is advertised as a cute experience, yet these naturally timid creatures do not find this interaction ‘cute’ at all. In direct contrast to Tzaar Baalei Chayim, as is often the case in the wildlife entertainment industry, handling sea turtles causes them immense distress and injury.

When held by tourists, sea turtles tend to panic and frantically flap their flippers to escape being held. This can lead to fractures and detached claws, and tourists can accidentally drop the struggling turtle, leading to broken shells and other fatal injuries. The repeated stress caused by human handling can cause the turtles’ immune systems to not function properly. Coupled with the introduction of human bacteria and other unusual substances such as sun lotion, turtles are at great risk of suffering from disease. In one case, almost 1,300 turtles died due to infection.

It is clear that handling turtles causes direct physical and psychological harm to them, but what about the claims that these interactions can aid with conservation efforts? While posed as a way to educate and fundraise for the conservation of sea turtles, many of which are endangered species, frequent human interaction actually poses threats to their conservation. The natural behaviors of sea turtles are disrupted by humans, affecting feeding, migration, and mating. We can therefore see that the danger to sea turtles doesn’t just impact the individuals being handled, but threatens the species as a whole.

By choosing to observe sea turtles in their natural habitats without direct interference or in documentaries, we can appreciate their beauty while ensuring their well-being and ecological role remain undisturbed.

Rodeos 

The Vancouver Humane Society describes the inherent cruelty in rodeo events, highlighting the fear, stress, and pain inflicted on animals through practices such as calf roping and bull riding. These methods provoke animals using harmful tools like flank straps, electric prods, spurring, among others. Despite claims of tradition and cultural significance, rodeos represent a form of entertainment that prioritizes human excitement over animal welfare.

Camel Rides

Many camels used for tourist rides are taken from the wild, a process involving mustering, yarding, loading, and transportation. These activities can cause significant fear and stress, as camels are not naturally accustomed to being handled, confined, or transported. 

According to PETA, camels exploited for tourism in Egypt and parts of Asia endure cruel training methods and inadequate living conditions. The principle of Tzaar Baalei Chayim reminds us to avoid causing unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, encouraging us to explore alternative, ethical ways to experience local culture without contributing to the exploitation of innocent animals.

Horse Races

From a young age, race horses are pushed to their physical limits, frequently resulting in injuries, chronic pain, or even death. PETA details the frequent injuries and fatalities in horse racing, often caused by overworking, dangerous training methods, like the use of whips, tight reins, and performance-enhancing drugs. Jewish teachings emphasize the importance of treating animals with kindness and care, making the practices of horse racing at odds with these values. When there are plenty of options for entertainment, why rely on the exploitation of animals?

Closing thoughts

Millions of animals are currently being held prisoner as part of the wildlife entertainment industry. Living lives full of physical pain and psychological damage, we need to take a stand against the cruelty involved. In the Gemara, we are taught about the story of Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi, who was punished by G-d for not pitying and protecting a calf that was trying to escape slaughter. From this, we learn that showing pity and compassion to animals is a key trait that G-d wants us to have. It is Moses’ compassion for animals that is often explained as the reason why G-d chose him to be a prophet.

Research shows that around 110 million people worldwide visit cruel wildlife tourist attractions each year, and 80% of people can’t see the negative impacts of the wildlife entertainment industry. We have a moral duty to these animals to help spread the word about the suffering that takes place so that people can have a ‘fun’ selfie or ‘cool’ photo to share with their friends. Helping these animals starts by having compassion for them. Billions of animals are exploited worldwide across multiple different industries, and we need to do more as a global community to put an end to all of this cruelty.