Zoo Forced to Control Growing Captive Population of Large Cats

DHAKA, Bangledesh. Officials at Dhaka Zoo in Bangledesh have announced they plan to use birth control to limit the growing population of captive lions and tigers at the zoo. The recent population boom has resulted in overcrowding at the zoo, with 36 large cats living together in an enclosure designed for 19 (Source: 'The Australian').

Unfortunately, release of some of the cats into the wild is not an option. Deforestation in Bangledesh has been extensive and has destroyed virtually all habitat formerly occupied by wild populations of tigers and lions.

Sources:

• The Australian. Zoo puts big cats on pill (On-line). Accessed July 06, 2005.
• Rahman, W. 2005. 'Birth control for Dhaka big cats' (On-line), BBC News. Accessed July 06, 2005.
• 'Taming the wild passion' (On-line), Sky News. Accessed July 06, 2005.

Do you think the use of birth control drugs on zoo animals is ethical? Share your thoughts here.