After a multimillion-euro (dollar) makeover, the Zoological Park of Paris, also known as the  Zoo de Vincennes, is re-opening its gates to the public. The park aims to be a twenty-first century zoo, whose priorities are animal well-being and conservation. Visitors will be able to observe animals in environments designed to be as close to their natural habitat as possible.

The Zoological Park first opened its gates in 1934, with concrete landscaping, and traditional cages to house the animals. The zoo temporarily closed in 2008, because its crumbling displays that had not been renovated since the parks premiere opening had become a safety hazard. The zoo said that after a makeover at the cost of 170 million euros ($234 million), it will be able to house the animals in conditions that are as natural and stress-free as possible.

Instead of re-building the park in its original form, the zoo decided to take a modern approach by preserving the animals’ habitat, while at the same time giving a unique visitor experience. Zoo Director Sophie Ferreira Le Morvan, said that “Now visitors are being invited to the land of animals to immerse themselves in their natural environment. So the whole work was to rebuild, to recreate the natural environment of the animals.”

The displays consist of winding pathways, lush vegetation, and rock barriers, rather than cages, to separate the wildlife from its viewers. The cathedral-like greenhouse as long as a football field is filled with tropical birds, such as grey-winged trumpeters, and West Indian manatee.

“We’ve invented a new zoo, whose concept is different from 20th century ones, where animals were exhibited like in some amusement park,” said Thomas Grenon, head of the National Museum of Natural History, which manages the Zoological Park. “This is a 21st-century zoo, which will show biodiversity and talk about it, and where the animals will live together as they do in their natural environment.”

The zoo is also aiming to create a more natural series of “biozones,” with replica habitats for tropics, forests and grasslands in South America, Africa and Europe where the animals will be housed. Instead of by type, the animals have been grouped by five regions of origin —  Madagascar, Patagonia, Guyana, Europe and Sahel-Sudan, the largest single area in the zoo and home to African savannah roamers. Rolling terrain and artificial rocks point to the effort to re-create the natural ecosystems, as best possible. Giraffes and ostriches co-habit one display area, zebras and rhinos another. A male lion, somewhat understandably, has his own pen until three lionesses arrive. “It’s like a journey around the planet,” said Le Morvan.

Geographer Jean Estebanez, a specialist in “humanimal” relationships, said that “the zoo reflects a push towards animals to be seen not as a resource but as fellow species. The tendency in modern zoos is not to show animals hauled out of a different environment but to place us in the different environment itself.”

The zoo’s curators have also taken animal welfare into account in their selection of species. Due to space constraints, there are no longer any elephants, or bears featured at the zoo. The modern outlook takes the animals needs into consideration, therefore, including such range-loving animals in the confines of a city zoo would be deemed as cruelty.

The zoo has some one hundred and eighty species — including seventy-four birds and forty-two mammal species — totaling over one thousand animals – aside from the insects. The zoo said that it will also carry out scientific research to help protect threatened and endangered species. “We hope that visiting this zoo can raise awareness of the protection of nature,” says Eric Joly, director of the zoo’s botanical gardens told Le Figaro.

Although, the Zoological Park of Paris re-created the park to ‘appear’ like the animals’ natural landscape (and it certainly sounds like a step up from most zoos), the fact is the animals are still living in a human-made environment, and therefore, they are not ‘free’ to live their lives as nature intended. Animal advocacy groups are already not buying into to the zoo’s new approach, and their reasons to hold animals in captivity. “Pretending that zoos have a direct role in the preservation of nature is a sham,” said Jean-Claude Nouëts, president of advocacy group La Fondation Droit Animal, Ethique et Sciences. – Joan Reddy

This post originally appeared on Ecorazzi

Ecorazzi covers news and gossip on celebrities and notables in support of the environment and humanitarian causes. You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Cute, cuddly and hooked on Viagra? What are zoos doing to pandas? Should we even be breeding endangered species destined to live in captivity?

One-sixth of the world’s endangered panda population lives in captivity (approximate numbers put the total population in the wild and in captivity at about 2,000). A recent article in the New Yorker looked at the difficulty zoos and sanctuaries have in breeding pandas—creatures notoriously fickle when it comes to sex, and with short fertility windows to boot. Just a half-century ago, it was believed to be impossible to breed captive pandas. Success has come though, but not without extreme and bizarre efforts. Some zoos have introduced “panda porn”, which is exactly what it sounds like, and in some cases, they’re giving males Viagra, in attempts to encourage mating.

If there’s one argument zoos and aquariums routinely make over keeping captive animals, it’s that they’re employing state-of-the-art breeding techniques to perpetuate some of the world’s most beloved endangered species, like pandas. But that’s only kind of true.

While captive breeding can lead to offspring of threatened or endangered species, many of those animals often stay in captivity as well. Reintroduction is costly and often fails. A tiger, panda or orca born in captivity may certainly look the part, but she lacks the resume we seek in wild animals. Behaviors are abnormal; the animals can suffer from depression and diseases not seen in the wild. And on the ethical front it certainly opens up a dialogue: What do we gain by keeping fuzzy prisoners in unnatural environments? Should more efforts be put on wild animal conservation in their natural habitats than in captive breeding efforts?

In China, some pandas are being bred in sanctuary settings like those in Wolong and Shangdong, where they’re kept from human contact (handlers don panda suits…seriously) so that babies can be introduced into the wild, while maintaining a (valuable) fear of humans. The programs have been successful in replenishing regional panda populations, but only slightly. Reintroduction to the wild is not as simple as opening a cage; an animal bred in captivity is more often than not, significantly unequipped for handling freedom.

Drawing crowds at places like the National Zoo in Washington D.C. or San Diego’s Zoo, particularly when breeding methods are successful, thriving captive animal breeding perpetuates captivity, keeping zoos and aquariums profit-driven focused first and foremost. More wild swaths of habitat are deforested to build factories to make the stuffed pandas, killer whales and polar bears that the zoos and aquariums hope you’ll purchase on your way out.

Pixar’s recent decision to change the ending of the forthcoming film “Finding Dory” (the sequel to “Finding Nemo”) was inspired by the film “Blackfish“, a documentary that highlights the unimaginable life of captive orcas SeaWorld has been holding prisoner for decades. “Dory’s” director made the decision to change the ending so as not make a film that would be looked back on in 50 years as politically incorrect and insulting.

Africa’s black rhinoceros was recently declared extinct from the wild. Credit can go to poaching as well as insufficient conservation efforts. There was little media attention over the loss of one of the world’s most unique and awe-inspiring creatures. Perhaps that’s because nearly 300 though, are still alive in captivity. Like the panda, mating in captivity is difficult for the rhino. Mothers often reject their young. Formulating a rhino-milk knock-off isn’t easy. Babies develop health issues, which, along with the other sacrifices captivity requires, create behavioral issues we can’t fully even understand as most zookeepers have never observed these animals in their natural habitat.

If humans are able to stop destroying environments other creatures have called home for at least as long as we’ve been here, perhaps some of these other species have a chance to survive. And without the exploitative breeding methods that erode their natural majesty. But for those species where it’s just a matter of time, at what point do we acknowledge that we’ve erased suitable environments for these animals to thrive and just let them die-off as gracefully as possible?

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Adrien Sifre Photography

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Costa Rica is freeing the nation’s zoo animals  by next year, seeking a more ‘natural’ experience for its residents and visitors.

One of only four countries in the world that has banned live dolphin performances, Costa Rica recognizes dolphins as non-human persons, and moved away from forcing them to perform in captivity. In 2002, the country also banned circuses that use animals in performances. And now, the Latin American country says it will do the same for all caged zoo animals in the nation’s zoo exhibits.

Costa Rica has no army and spends much of its resources instead on environmental conservation and education. According to the country’s Environment Minister, Rene Castro, capital city San Jose will turn its 97-year-old Simon Bolivar zoo into an educational and environmentally-friendly botanical park next year. The Santa Ana Conservation Center, another zoo west of San Jose, will also close. More than 400 zoo animals from both facilities will be either released into the wild or sent to rescue centers or sanctuaries to live out the rest of their days.

“We’re going to get rid of cages and reinforce the concept of a botanical park so the biodiversity can be shown and interacted with in a natural manner. We don’t want any more captivity, any more caging of animals, unless it’s because they’re being rescued or saved,” said Castro in a bold move that illustrates the inhumane nature of keeping animals in captivity, particularly when so many species are threatened or endangered around the world.

Adding to the emotional decision, Castro shared a memory from his childhood, where his grandmother’s parrot left her porch for good: “One day, we took the parrot out to the patio, and a flock of wild parrots passed, and the parrot went with them,” he told La Nacion. “It made a big impression on me because I thought that we were taking good care of her. We fed her with food and affection. … all these things that we as humans thought she liked. And when she had the chance, she left.”

Zoo animals, while often appear to like their natural-looking exhibits, can experience a number of problems. From zoocosis—a condition that leads to bizarre animal behavior sometimes requiring antidepressant medication—to physical ailments from standing long periods in small enclosures, to diet-related health issues.

The documentary “Blackfish,” which is in theaters now, highlights the terrible tragedy of a SeaWorld trainer killed by Tilikum, the largest orca whale to ever live in captivity. It’s an adept commentary on the archaic practice of keeping animals in cages, or pools, as the case may be.

While considerably more animals each year are imprisoned, tortured and killed for food (tens of billions worldwide), the practice of keeping the planet’s most majestic creatures in cages is no less horrific, and perhaps even less justifiable, particularly in a country like Costa Rica where forests and jungles are naturally abundant in a number of wild animal populations.

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Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image:  mariusz kluzniak

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Summer activities often don’t feel complete without an outing to the zoo or circus. But what about something a bit more animal friendly? Guilt kinda ruins a good summer, don’t you think?

Like many kids, I spent most of my childhood summers going to the zoo. I even worked there for a summer. Back then, I loved staring at all the strange looking creatures who were, without question, looking back at me. I wanted to know them, play together, cuddle up at nap time. But it didn’t take me long to realize just how unfriendly zoos actually are. Captive animals are deprived of their natural environments. While many zookeepers do genuinely care for the animals, that doesn’t make up for the loss of habitat and natural diet, or the stress and anxiety that comes with living in cramped cages and being gawked and yelled at day in and day out.

The lack of access to natural food and habitat can wreak havoc on animals’ bodies (elephants, for example, normally walk 30 miles a day in the wild). They develop more diseases that are difficult to treat, and often deadly. They also develop fertility issues, and if they do reproduce, can often reject their offspring. Many animals in zoos, circuses and other captive situations often also develop a condition called “zoochosis” where they display strange habits like walking in circles or swaying nonstop. Sometimes it’s so bad they’re given mood-altering drugs.

Not exactly animal friendly, eh?

But, observing animals is enriching—particularly to young children. Learning about other life forms is part of a healthy relationship with the world, and can bring great inspiration, compassion and curiosity. Avoiding zoos, circuses, Sea World and other captive animal situations doesn’t mean avoiding animals altogether. Check out these seven animal friendly summer activities:

1. Sanctuaries: Many circus and farm animals are fortunate enough to “retire” to animal sanctuaries, where they’re treated much better. Often given more space to roam, a more natural diet and not forced to perform or interact, they can live out their lives peacefully. Sanctuaries often host all kinds of summer activities, including tours, events and gatherings where you can learn the stories about the rescued animals and help support them.
2. Wildlife reserves: There are wildlife reserves all over the country—often just a short drive from most major cities. You may be able to view all sorts of creatures there from rare birds and mammals to fish and reptiles. Plus, they’re often free, too.
3. National Parks: Like wildlife reserves, protected National Park lands also protect some of our most majestic creatures. Visit Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and you just might see a bald eagle, a black bear or even a moose in their natural environment.
4. Whale watching: If you’re coastal, certain times of the year are great for whale watching. Check up on whale-watching tours to make sure they don’t try to bait or lure the animals towards the boats. They’re big enough that you won’t need much help in seeing them!
5. Bird watching: There are thousands of species of birds in the U.S. and they vary drastically by region. It’s one of the most rewarding animal experiences around, and you’ll often see lots of other critters on your outing, too.
6. Shelters: Dogs and cats are animals, too! Volunteering at an animal shelter can be an incredibly rewarding and interactive experience for you and the animals. Walk a dog, feed a rabbit, pet a cat and enjoy that connection the animals love as much as you do.
7. Your backyard: Animals are everywhere. Squirrels, raccoons, coyotes, skunks, possum, fox, lizards, deer, birds—these are just some of the animals common in North American yards, and they’re as amazing and beautiful as chimpanzees or pandas. Get to know your local fauna for the exotic creatures they really are.

Keep in touch with Jill on Twitter @jillettinger

Image: Vinoth Chandar

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