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- Source: 3D Earth Knowledge Bureau
- Author/3D Earth Knowledge Bureau
Zoos are great places for people to see and learn about animals, but there are also unexpected events that happen sometimes, such as animals hurting people or running away.
In these cases, the way zoos handle them often sparks public concern and controversy.
Why do some animals get killed when they bite people, why do some animals go unpunished when they hurt people? Is there any legal and moral basis for this?
The tiger is a typical carnivore with a strong attack and predatory ability. In the wild, tigers are apex carnivores with few natural predators.
Tigers are also one of the most popular animals in zoos, but they are also one of the most dangerous. According to statistics, from 2000 to 2019, there were at least 50 tiger injuries worldwide, many of which resulted in deaths or serious injuries.
Some of these incidents are caused by tourists or keepers not following the rules, and some are triggered by tigers escaping from their cages or pens.
So, in these cases, why do tigers get killed after biting people?
Protecting public safety. This is the most immediate and urgent reason. If a tiger escapes from the zoo or is in a berserk state after biting a person, it poses a serious threat to the people and environment around it.
In order to avoid further casualties and losses, zoos must contain the tiger or eliminate it as soon as possible. In an emergency, the use of tranquilizer guns or traps may not be timely or effective, so only the most extreme measure is taken: killing.
Prevent re-injure. This is a long-term and preventive reason. If a tiger is not killed after biting a person, but is quarantined or transferred, will it hurt again?
Experts believe that tiger bites are usually not an accidental act, but a continuous pattern. Once a tiger has tasted human flesh or decided that humans are food or enemies, it is likely to attack humans again.
And if it's a female tiger that hurts someone, it may also pass on information about preying on humans to its offspring. So in order to avoid more tragedies, the zoo can only choose to kill the tigers to break their cannibalistic Xi.
Comply with legal requirements. This is for legal and ethical reasons. On the mainland, tigers are national first-class protected animals, protected and regulated by the Wildlife Protection Law and the Zoo Management Regulations.
According to these laws and regulations, zoos have a responsibility for the management and protection of tigers in their care, as well as an obligation to prevent tigers from injuring people and escaping.
If a tiger injures a person, the zoo shall bear the corresponding legal responsibility and compensation liability.
In addition, zoos must also comply with the instructions and approvals of the higher authorities, and deal with injured tigers in accordance with relevant procedures and standards. If the situation is urgent or serious, the zoo has the right or obligation to kill the tiger.
The reason why tigers bite people and kill them is to protect public safety, prevent further injuries and comply with the law.
This is not cruelty or injustice to tigers, but responsibility for the safety of human and animal lives.
The giant panda is a typical herbivore with a docile and cuddly image. In the wild, the giant panda is a rare and endangered species, and in zoos, the giant panda is the most popular and precious animal.
According to statistics, from 2000 to 2019, there were about 600 giant pandas living in captivity around the world, and many of them were seconded to other countries or regions for exhibition or cooperative breeding.
In these cases, there are times when unexpected incidents occur, such as giant pandas injuring people or running away. In these cases, what happens to pandas when they hurt someone?
Protect the giant pandas. This is the most immediate and important reason. If the giant panda is not killed after being injured, but is quarantined or transferred, will it hurt people again?
Experts believe that giant pandas hurting people are usually an accidental act, not a continuous pattern. In general, giant pandas do not actively attack humans unless they feel threatened or need to protect their cubs.
Giant pandas don't like to eat meat, and have lost a gene called T1R1 in the process of evolution, causing them to have no taste response to meat.
Therefore, even if a giant panda bites a human, it will not form a habit Xi eating people. Moreover, the giant panda is a national first-class protected animal and an iconic species of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which has extremely high scientific and cultural value.
On the mainland, both the Wildlife Protection Law and the Regulations on the Management of Zoos have strict regulations on the protection and management of giant pandas, and no one is allowed to kill, injure or sell giant pandas, otherwise they will be punished by law.
Therefore, in order to protect the survival and development of giant pandas, the zoo will not easily kill the giant pandas, but try to take other measures.
Educate the public. This is a secondary but meaningful reason. If the giant panda is not killed after being injured, but is quarantined or transferred, will it continue to provide opportunities for the public to see and educate?
Experts believe that the incident of giant pandas hurting people will not affect their image and status in the eyes of the public, but can improve the public's awareness and understanding of giant pandas.
On the one hand, although giant pandas look docile and cute, they are wild animals after all, with their own Xi and needs, and are not toys that humans can manipulate and get close to at will.
On the other hand, although giant pandas do not actively attack humans, they also have the instinct of self-protection and cub protection, and if they encounter danger or interference, they will also resist and fight back.
Therefore, through the giant panda injury incident, the zoo can take this opportunity to convey some important information and educational content to the public, such as:
Respect for animals. Zoos are a great place for people to see and learn about animals, but they are also places where animals live and grow. When people visit zoos, they should respect the animal's right to life and personality traits.
Do not disturb, frighten or provoke animals, do not feed, touch or slap animals, and do not mock, mock or provoke animals in front of them.
Protect animals. Zoos are a great place for people to see and learn about animals, but they are also places for animal protection and rescue.
When people visit zoos, they should pay attention to the survival status and threats faced by animals, understand the meaning and methods of animal conservation, and support and participate in animal conservation activities and projects.
Take care of the environment. Zoos are great places for people to see and learn about animals, but they are also places for environmental education and advocacy. When people visit a zoo, they should be mindful of the impact of their actions on the environment.
Abide by the rules of environmental sanitation and order, do not litter, graffiti or pick and pull indiscriminately, do not waste water and electricity resources or create noise pollution.
If a giant panda is not killed after being injured, but is quarantined or transferred, it is out of the interests of protecting the panda, educating the public, and abiding by the law.
This is not a contempt or irresponsibility for human beings, but a respect and care for animals and the environment.
The status and treatment of tigers and giant pandas in zoos are different. This is mainly due to differences in their biological characteristics, ecological roles and cultural symbols.
Biological characteristics. Both tigers and giant pandas belong to the mammalian carnivora order, but their feeding and aggression are different. Tigers are typical carnivores, feeding on a variety of wild animals and having a strong ability to attack and prey.
Giant pandas are typical herbivores that feed on bamboo and have a docile and lovable image. Therefore, in zoos, tigers are considered dangerous animals.
Strict safety measures and management practices are required, and giant pandas are considered rare animals that require high-quality breeding conditions and protection measures.
Ecological roles. Both tigers and giant pandas are national first-class protected animals, but their roles and status in the ecosystem are different.
Tigers are apex carnivores, located at the top of the food chain, maintaining ecological balance by preying on other animals. Giant pandas are special herbivores that are located in the middle of the food chain and promote bamboo forest regeneration by consuming bamboo.
Therefore, in zoos, tigers are seen as ecological regulators who need proper release and training activities, while giant pandas are seen as ecological indicators and need professional medical and breeding services.
Cultural symbols. Both tigers and giant pandas are important elements in traditional Chinese culture, but the meanings and values they represent are different.
The tiger is a symbol of bravery, might, domineering, and kingship, and has been used as a metaphor for heroes, generals, emperors and other characters or things in Chinese history.
The giant panda is a symbol of peace, friendship, cuteness, and a national treasure, and is used in modern China to show China's image, culture, diplomacy, etc.
Therefore, in zoos, tigers are seen as cultural symbols that require an attitude of respect and awe, while pandas are seen as cultural messengers that require attention and supported actions.
For zoos, the management and protection of tigers and giant pandas should be strengthened, and their breeding level and welfare conditions should be improved to prevent them from injuring people or escaping.
At the same time, it is necessary to respect their right to life and personality traits, and not to interfere excessively with or deprive them of their natural behaviors and needs.
For the public, it is necessary to increase knowledge and awareness of tigers and giant pandas, appreciate and support their scientific and cultural values, participate in and promote their conservation and rescue, and also pay attention to their own safety and behavior.
Don't offend or provoke them, don't cause them unnecessary trouble or harm.
For the government, laws and regulations for tigers and giant pandas should be formulated and improved, the operation and management of zoos should be regulated and supervised, and the responsibility and compensation for animal injuries should be coordinated and handled.
At the same time, it is also necessary to advocate and implement international cooperation and exchanges with tigers and giant pandas, and enhance and display China's image and influence.
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