SMALL ZOOCHECKER.
3 2/29/00 4:49 PM Page 1
WHAT CAUSES
ZOOCHOSIS?
Drs. Garry Marvine and Bob Mullan compared
behavioral disturbances in captive animals with
human institutional neuroses. They found the
causes are very similar:
• Enforced idleness
• Loss of control over one’s life
• Loss of normal social groups
• Loss of home or “natural habitat”
• Drugs and medical fertility control
• Confinement
(Caged animals exist in a totally alien environment
with artificial lighting and diet, unusual noises,
strange colors, and an unnatural proximity of alien
species and human visitors.)
Zoochosis is a sign that an animal
is seriously mentally ill.
Animal suffering in zoos is commonplace,
especially among members of some species who
are very poorly adapted to captivity. Even in so-
called “good zoos,” animals are affected, so you
can imagine what life is like for animals caged in
the hundreds of inferior zoos in the U.S. and
around the world.
✓
PEOPLE FOR THE
ETHICAL TREATMENT zoo
check
OF ANIMALS
Please also fill in the following details. Then send
the completed checklist directly back to the
address below. Thank you very much for taking
time to help the animals.
Your name _______________________________
Address _________________________________
City ________________ State ____ Zip ________
Name of zoo ______________________________
Town/County of zoo _______________________
Date of visit ______________________________
❑ I am interested in learning more about
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Please send me information.
Any comments you would like to make are
✓
very welcome:
BE A
zoo
checker
Some zoos and aquariums try to create habitats that
mimic animals’ homelands. But the animals’ lives can
be very different from what they would experience in
their natural environment.
Please send your completed questionnaire to:
ZOOCH0SIS
PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS is what behaviorists call mental illness caused by the
501 FRONT ST., NORFOLK, VA 23510 • 757-622-PETA
www.peta-online.org stress of captivity.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is a national, nonprofit
organization devoted to exposing and eliminating all animal abuse. Dedicated YOU CAN HELP
to establishing and defending the rights of all animals, PETA operates under
the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or By filling out this form, you will become part of an
international network of “zoocheckers,” who help
use for entertainment.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER. PETA LITERATURE IS NOT COPYRIGHTED AND MAY BE REPRODUCED FREELY. identify animals in trouble.
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BAR-BITING VOMITING OVERGROOMING

(biting bars of the cage) (and eating vomit—type of bulimia) (grooming to excess, including
“hair-plucking”—animal may have
bald patches)
❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED

SPECIES: ______________________________ SPECIES: ______________________________ SPECIES: ______________________________

HOW LONG: _________________________ HOW LONG: _________________________ HOW LONG: _________________________

LICKING CIRCLING SELF-MUTILATION

(repeated licking of bars/walls) (walking around and around placing (repeated tail-biting, leg-chewing,
footsteps in same position) head-bashing, etc.)

❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED

SPECIES: ______________________________ SPECIES: ______________________________ SPECIES: ______________________________

HOW LONG: _________________________ HOW LONG: _________________________ HOW LONG: _________________________

Here are the 11

PACING COPROPHAGIA basic signs that an
(continuous pacing back and (playing with and eating excrement) animal is trying to
forth or from side to side)
cope with mental
❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED
illness. Can you spot
SPECIES: ______________________________ SPECIES: ______________________________ any at this zoo?
HOW LONG: _________________________ HOW LONG: _________________________

ZOOCHOSIS
NECK-TWISTING
(unnatural twisting and
HEAD-BOBBING
(head bobs up and down,
CHECKLIST
rolling of the neck) again and again) Please look carefully. Keep
❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED
very still and quiet – try not to
distract the animal. If you
SPECIES: ______________________________
❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED
witness a behavior, check the
HOW LONG: _________________________
SPECIES: ______________________________ appropriate box. Make sure
HOW LONG: _________________________ you do nothing to provoke the
SWAYING behavior. Zoocheckers only
observe and show respect.
(rolling or swaying motion from
side to side) When you’re finished with
❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED
this survey, please fill in the

✓
SPECIES: ______________________________ ❑ BEHAVIOR WAS OBSERVED
information on the back.
SPECIES: ______________________________
HOW LONG: _________________________
HOW LONG: _________________________ PEOPLE FOR THE
zoo
THANKS TO THE BORN FREE FOUNDATION FOR THE USE OF ITS PHOTOS
ETHICAL TREATMENT
OF ANIMALS check