English
1. Kim, Hemi. “Is Using Animals for Entertainment Unethical?” Sentient Media, 19 Jan.
2022, https://sentientmedia.org//animals-in-entertainment/?msclkid=e5e96177
af0a11 ec847c91aec196b389
In their article, “Is Using Animals for Entertainment Unethical?” Hemi refutes the mindset
driving the animal entertainment industry by highlighting the emotional toll placed upon the
creatures, and even offers alternative forms of entertainment. The author’s claim is supported
by a deep-dive into the many varieties of animal entertainment (bull riding, circuses, animal
resorts like SeaWorld) and the strenuous situations animals are forced into. Hemi’s purpose
was to highlight the cruel history of animal entertainment and explain how in modern times,
we as a society can create alternatives that do not harm the creatures but still allow people
access to learn about them. Considering the variety of events involving animals detailed, the
author is speaking to an audience of animal lovers who have not realized the brutality of the
animal entertainment industry.
2. Todd, Paul and Place, Jennifer. “Investigating the Internet Wildlife Trade.”
a. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES), https://cites.org//eng/news/world/19/7.php?msclkid=6dfc84bb
af0611ecb3a2 a57fc58367a7
In their research article, “Investigating the Internet Wildlife Trade,” Todd and Place assert
that the developments of the internet have a direct correlation to the increasing difficulty to
prevent illegal animal trade and to monitor legal trading. Their claim is supported by data
from an investigation by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, where online listings for
wildlife products/animals were analyzed on prices and source locations. Todd and Place’s
purpose was to blow a whistle on the online animal trade and the detrimental effects this
market could have when given access to an international clientele pool. Given the scholarly
tone of this article, the author’s are speaking to website companies and people in positions
who could regulate the access illegal animal traders have to an online audience.
3. Bekoff, Mark. “The Exotic Pet Trade: Horrific Global Animal Abuse and an Assault
a. on Sentience.” Huffington Post, 6 Dec. 2017, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/
the-exotic-pet-trade-horr_1_b_9175608?msclkid=a48941deaf0511ec81747aa8
c3d6797d
In his article “The Exotic Pet Trade: Horrific Global Animal Abuse and an Assault on
Sentience,” writer Mark Bekoff asserts that the exotic animal trade is an unfathomable market
that strips living creatures of their natural significance for the sake of human profit. He
supports this claim by interviewing Clifford Warwick (a biologist and medical scientist who
has worked for over 30 years to lower the impact of the illegal market) and gathering his
opinions on the mechanisms of the market. Bekoff’s purpose behind this article was to
highlight the unethical treatment animals unfortunately found in this market are provided.
Given the location of this article, Bekoff is writing to an audience of everyday animal lover’s
who have not yet realized the unfortunate power driving the illegal animal trade.
Source Discussion
I am surprised at the twists and turns in my research. Initially, I was only looking to
reinforce the power behind the exotic animal trade. The route of arguing about social media
influence the market was totally unplanned but I’m really enjoying developing this argument.
An audience concern I discovered was the privilege of ignorance. The audience I’m writing
to can attempt to refute my argument by saying “Well, who are you to dictate what animals I
can and can’t own” (unfortunately, I’m writing to Karens). Along with this concern, members
of my audience could argue “Well, I would just never buy an animal from someone involved
in the illegal trade.” What they don’t realize is that anyone selling an exotic animal, good
morals or not, are inadvertently participating in this immoral trade. That’s one of the
approaches I’ll make to respond to this audience concern. The other response would be
encouraging people to travel to where these animals naturally live, rather than to force one
into an uncomfortable situation just so you could interact with them. If I had more time, I
would look into the confessions of somebody in the illegal animal trade. I did actually find a
book that covers exactly that, but it is a book and I don’t quite have the time to read one for
the sake of implementing it into my essay. Most of my essay feels strong aside from evidence
proving audience concerns because they are rooted in unprofessional resources. I think my
most convincing piece of evidence is my article by Paul and Jennifer. Although the research
was done in the early 2000’s, the evidence proving an increase in online illegal animal trade
is astounding!! As much as it stinks to hear, I loved finding a strong source that proved it.