Captivity (animal)

Animals that live under human care are in captivity. Captivity can be used as a generalizing term to describe the keeping of either domesticated animals (livestock and pets) or wild animals. This may include for example farms, private homes and zoos. Keeping animals in human captivity and under human care can thus be distinguished between three primary categories according to the particular motives, objectives and conditions:

1. Animal Husbandry

Keeping and breeding livestock domesticated for economic reasons in farms, stud farms and similar establishments. 2. Pet Keeping

Keeping pets domesticated for personal reasons mostly at private homes.

3. Wild Animal Keeping

Keeping wild, non-domesticated animals in menageries, zoos, aquaria, marine mammal parks or dolphinariums and similar establishments for various reasons:

prestige (illustration of wealth and power)
entertainment and amusement
science
education
conservation biology

History of Keeping Animals in Captivity

The domestication of animals is the oldest documented keeping of animals in captivity. The result was habituation of wild animal species to survive in the company of, or by the labor of, human beings. Domesticated species are those whose behaviour, life cycle, or physiology has been altered as a result of their breeding and living conditions under human control for multiple generations. Probably the earliest known domestic animal has been the dog, likely as early as 15000 BC among hunter-gatherers in several locations.

Throughout history not only domestic animals as pets and livestock were kept in captivity and under human care, but also wild animals. Some were failed domestication attempts. Also, in past times, primarily wealthy men, aristocrats and kings collected wild animals for various reasons. Contrary to domestication, the ferociousness and natural behaviour of the wild animals were preserved and exhibited. Today's zoos claim other reasons for keeping animals under human care: conservation, education and science.

Behavior of animals in captivity

Captive animals, especially those which are not domesticated, sometimes develop repetitive, apparently purposeless motor behaviors called stereotypical behaviors. These behaviors are thought to be caused by the animals' abnormal environment. Many who keep animals in captivity, especially in zoos and related institutions and in research institutions, attempt to prevent or decrease stereotypical behavior by introducing novel stimuli, known as environmental enrichment.

Further Information

Animal Husbandry:

Pet Keeping:

Wild Animal Keeping:

Cruelty to Animals and Animal Welfare:

Zoos | Animals | Animal welfare | Cultural history | Cultural studies

Gourt Home::Gourt :: Captivity (animal)

History of Keeping Animals in Captivity

Behavior of animals in captivity

Further Information