FAQ
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You may have some questions about bear jails. You won't after you look at this page!
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Aren't bear jails just zoos?
This is in fact a false statement. First, the suggestion that a jail would be equitable to a zoo is incorrect because jails "house either convicted criminals serving short sentences or people awaiting trial" (J.F. The Economist). Zoos, however, house the animals for long periods of time, perhaps even their entire life. In this case zoos would be much more equitable to prisons. "Prisons [...] house convicts serving longer sentences" (J.F.) Second, people who are incarcerated are visited much less frequently than the average zoo animal. Assuming we are now equating bear jails to prisons (due to the fact that they are much more similar than zoos and jails) the number of visitors per location is starkly different. Using estimations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (a nonprofit organization which is tasked with accrediting zoos) the number of visitors the average animal in a zoo receives in one year is 218.75. A study on prison inmates in Florida, performed by faculty from the University of South Florida and Florida State University, found that "[O]n average, inmates received 2.13 visits over the course of their incarceration period" (Sage Journals 555). This means that an average animal in a zoo receives 216 more visitors in a year than an average inmate in a prison receives in their entire period of incarceration. This evidence allows us to conclude that bear jails are not "just zoos" but are, in fact, what the name suggests they are. Jails for bears, otherwise known as bear jails.
What other issues does The Hoodini Foundation work with?
Currently The Hoodini Foundation works exclusively with the education and institutionalization of bear jails in the United States.
Which bears would be put in bear jails and which bears would be left alone?
Bears would only be put in jails if they endanger the lives of humans or are otherwise in situations where they would normally be killed. Bears that are in the wild and do not endanger humans will not be affected by bear jails.
Are all bear jails the same or are there different types/levels of bear jails?
In a general sense, bear jails will all be the same. Depending on the location of the bear jail and the species of bears in the area, bear jails will vary to suit the needs of the location, community, and bears.
How can other people get involved?
The best way for people to get involved is to spread the word about bear jails by talking to family and friends.
Sign our change.org petition at chng.it/qR2yp9tJ7r
If you would like to donate to our cause, we have a Gofundme at https://www.gofundme.com/7tvsvp-bear-jails
Sign our change.org petition at chng.it/qR2yp9tJ7r
If you would like to donate to our cause, we have a Gofundme at https://www.gofundme.com/7tvsvp-bear-jails
