Hello, my name is and I am the second negative speaker for the HTMS debate team. We resolve that the United States federal

Transcription

1 Hello, my name is and I am the second negative speaker for the HTMS debate team. We resolve that the United States federal government SHOULD NOT BAN the use of animals for entertainment purposes. I will examine my opponent s justifications and then review my team s points. The opposing team says Justification 1: Justification 2: 1

2 Justification 3: Justification 4: We will now review my team s justifications: Justification 1: Animals used in entertainment purposes are necessary to save animal species. Zoos help save endangered species through research, education, and habitat protection. In many cases, the Zoo s own staff work for conservation programs. For Example, the Washington (state) zoo heads the Rhino Rembrandts program. In other cases, zoo helps by supporting programs 2

3 led by world renowned conservation organizations. Zoos form critical partnerships with other scientists and organizations to help save endangered species. Zoos also participate in Species Survival Plans for many species requiring protection. Managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, these plans help to ensure the survival of a selected species through managed captive breeding, research, education, and conservation in the wild. In 2012, our own Birmingham Zoo started the Passion into Conservation Action (PICA) Program, which allows employees to submit conservation research projects that the Zoo will fund. These projects support the Zoo s conservation initiatives. After the applications were reviewed and narrowed down through a selection process, individuals were awarded grants to fund their chosen projects. Justification 2: Animals used for entertainment educate people about con-ser-va-tion. People pay money to enjoy these animals and portions of these profits are used to help animals. Zoos and circuses offer opportunities for people to understand and see real animals. They are also able to teach people about these animals. Our own Birmingham zoo offers Ed-Venture Classes for kids, camps for kids, and other teaching experiences that allow all ages to learn about animals, their needs and habitats. 3

4 Barnum and Bailey Brothers Circus offers education on their website, give educational materials to teachers, and offer pre-show and show information about animals and their needs. Zoos and circuses are leaders in conservation, breeding, re-introduction and education related to animals that are engendered. The staff, keepers and vets at Zoo are experts in animal care and animal breeding. Without some of the Zoo programs certain types of animals would no longer exist due to poachers, habitat destruction and other causes. Zoos are extremely important to the continued survival of several species. Justification 3: Adequate regulations exist to protect animals from harm. Rules and guidelines simply need to be enforced so people can enjoy these animals and learn more about them. In the case that brought so much attention to the treatment of animals in the circus. Please know the circus WON. Following a trial in 2009, a District of Columbia district court judge ruled in favor of Feld Entertainment and the circus, finding that there was not enough evidence to support the case of animal cruelty. Circuses are heavily regulated. The report of the Government's Circus Working Group in 2007, in which Born Free was involved, did not see the need for further legislation and did not recommend an end to animals in circuses. 4

5 Justification 4: People want to be entertained by animals. According to an article on Frontline PBS, Jim McBain and Brad Andrews report that over 90 percent of the American public feels that what zoos and aquariums are doing is the right thing. Over 90 percent of the American public feels that zoos and aquariums are essential to education, are important to learning about animals. Over 90 percent of the public feels that opportunities for children to see wild animals are almost entirely dependent upon zoos and aquariums. In America, we eat certain animals; people hunt animals for food and sport; other animals are tested for research. Regulations require that animals used in entertainment are fed, cared for, and treated fairly. This protects these animals. We should not put them on the same level as humans. Animals have historically been used as beasts of burden. In modern times there seems to be very little "burden" and a considerable amount of entertainment. As long as the animals aren't being abused then there seems to be little harm in having animal entertainers. Besides, many animals love interaction with humans and certainly entertaining is interaction with a crowd 5

6 The government already has regulations; they simply need to be enforced to protect animals from isolated cases of cruelty. People enjoy seeing and learning about animals in our society. Simply looking at animals online or on TV does not offer the same kind of experience. We should not ban this experience for all people because of a few cases that receive a lot attention in the news. We do not ban parenthood because some parents abuse their children. Judge, please vote NEGATIVE. 6