Captivity (animal)
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2008-05-16T08:36:45Z
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robot Adding: [[simple:Captivity (animal)]]
[[Image:Flock of sheep.jpg|thumb|170px|Animal husbandry]]
Animals that live under human care are in '''captivity'''. Captivity can be used as a generalizing term to describe the keeping of either [[domesticate]]d [[animal]]s ([[livestock]] and [[pet]]s) or [[wild]] animals. This may include for example [[farm]]s, private homes and [[zoo]]s. 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.
==Categories==
===Animal husbandry===
'''Keeping and breeding''' livestock domesticated for [[economic]] reasons
in [[farm]]s, [[horse breeding|stud farms]] and similar establishments.
===Pet keeping===
Keeping pets domesticated for personal reasons mostly at private homes.
===Wild animal keeping===
Keeping wild, non-domesticated animals in [[menagerie]]s, [[zoo]]s, [[aquarium|aquaria]], [[marine mammal park]]s or [[dolphinarium]]s and similar establishments for various reasons:
*[[prestige (sociology)|prestige]] (illustration of wealth and power)
*[[entertainment]] and [[amusement]]
*[[profit]]
*[[science]]
*[[education]]
*[[conservation biology]]
[[Image:MixedBreedFace1 wb.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Dogs and other pets are kept for personal companionship and outdoor activities]]
== History ==
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|human beings]]. Domesticated species are those whose [[Ethology|behaviour]], [[Biological life cycle|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 the wealthy, [[aristocrat]]s 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 biology|conservation]], [[education]] and [[science]].
[[Image:Mexican_wolf_lounging.jpg|right|thumb|A [[critically endangered]] [[Mexican Wolf|Mexican Gray Wolf]] is kept in captivity for breeding purposes.]]
== Behavior of animals in captivity ==
Captive animals, especially those which are not domesticated, sometimes develop repetitive, apparently purposeless motor behaviors called ''[[stereotypical behavior]]s''. 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]].
== See also ==
'''Animal Husbandry:'''
* [[Animal husbandry]]
* [[Domestication]]
* [[Livestock]]
* [[Agriculture]]
'''Pet Keeping:'''
* [[Pet]]
* [[European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals]]
'''Wild Animal Keeping:'''
* [[Menagerie]]
* [[Zoological garden]]
* [[Aquarium]]
* [[Marine mammal park]]
* [[Dolphinarium]]
* [[Cultural history]]
'''Cruelty to Animals and Animal Welfare:'''
* [[Animal welfare]]
* [[List of animal welfare and animal rights groups]]
* [[Cruelty to animals]]
* [[World Society for the Protection of Animals]]
==External links==
* [http://www.pet-abuse.com/ Pet-Abuse.com]
* [http://www.waza.org/ World Association of Zoos and Aquaria]
* [http://www.bronxzoo.com/ New York Zoos and Aquarium]
* [http://www.wspa-international.org WSPA international website]
{{Zoos}}
[[Category:Zoos]]
[[Category:Animal welfare]]
[[Category:Cultural history]]
[[Category:Cultural studies]]
[[de:Gefangenschaftshaltung]]
[[es:Cautiverio]]
[[he:בעלי חיים בשביה]]
[[simple:Captivity (animal)]]