Possibility Of A Symbiotic Relationship Between Humans And Other Species

Introduction

Humans and animals have been in symbiosis from the ancient times. People have always been interested in cooperation with animals and how to profit from it. So, I have decided to reflect on this topic. I hope to find out in which countries we can find this type of symbiosis, which types of animals are more adapted to peoples presence and what categories of people are more liable to use animals for mutual benefit. I think that the internet, my friends from other countries and library sources will help me a lot to learn more about this issue from different angles. (101)

Global

Koala hospitals in Australia are one of the examples when person and animal cooperate. For example, everybody can adopt a koala by donating 30$ AD per month: a person gets a confirmation certificate, a welcome letter, koala stickers and more. If you are in the area you can drop in and visit the adorable koala you adopted! In case you live abroad, you have an opportunity to watch an online video of your koala.

Another global example is the Indian cow. The people of India respect cows and regard them as a sacred animal. People will never kill it, will always let it do whatever it wants and even if it creates a traffic jam in the road, nobody will beep at it. In turn, the cow will give milk and it is also used as a tractor for agricultural purposes. Lastly, is the case of Thailand’s tigers which are adopted by monks. They are well bred and treated by monks carefully. Every visitor can pay a certain amount of money to communicate with tame tigers and get positive emotions. (180)

National

In the south of Russia people of different ages and various health problems come to communicate with dolphins. It is noted that after such therapeutical sessions children and adults feel profound relief even if they have some genetical incurable diseases. When you come to the special centre, you can swim with dolphins and feel positive vibrations even if you are completely healthy.

One can also draw with a dolphin, play with it and do some physical exercises. The session lasts twenty-five minutes and then you leave till the next meeting. In general, dolphin therapy is prescribed at least ten times. Usually ‘medical’ dolphins are born and bred in the dolphins centre pool and are looked after very carefully. Dolphins are very communicative animals, so they get a lot of attention, love and nutrition.

Some famous people and celebrities have become interested in the project. Recently one politician has participated in the TV program with the aim to promote the dolphin’s therapy. (162)

Local

Another example of person-animal symbiosis is a program called Canine Cell Mates located in the Atlanta, USA, where both shelter dogs and prisoners cohabit. Prisoners get their personal dogs to treat, to train, to feed, and after some time they become friends. In its way, prisoners learn to be kinder, behave patiently and learn not to feel anger. Prisoners call their dogs ‘stress relievers’. Dogs also teach the prisoners to feel the sense of responsibility. When the prisoners understand that the dog loves and trusts them, they stop regarding themselves as the outcasts of the society. The program consists of two parts.

The first part is the orientational one - when a prisoner theoretically learns the manuals, how to look after and train the dog. The second part is the practical - when the prisoner uses his knowledge in the process of the dog’s upbringing. We should add that not only do people teach the animals, but dogs, in their turn, teach people how to love and care. Dogs get love, attention, correct training and a real human friend. Animals get used to an ‘owner’ and miss him when he leaves. Sometimes when a strong connection between an animal and person happens, the prison authorities can permit the prisoner to take the dog home. From time to time, a special inspector visits a prisoner’s house just to check the condition and environment of a dog. (234)

Problems

There are some problems that can be connected with symbiotic relationships between humans and animals. For instance, each person is more or less responsible for those animals he or she tamed. Even the famous classic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote in his famous ‘Little Prince’: «You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed».

If animals are tamed they can not back to the wild life. Home-animal putted into wild life can not survived. It is elementary does not know how to defense and feed its self because animal don’t need to do it while living with owner.

Animals have feelings too and they can be addicted to humans and animals become accustomed to people. If a person leaves an animal for any reason, the animal won’t understand why it is left. It can suffer, get ill, or die. Animals can suffer psychologically if they are given away.

In African countries people have little to eat and low education. They need to take care of themselves - it is not possible to care for animals. (175)

Solution

We could suggest some ways out. To start with, the government should contribute more funds to take care of stray or abandoned animals. These funds can also be used for building special rehabilitation centers to help poor creatures recover from mental breakdown by being thrown away. Another way to avoid animals being throw away is put more responsibility on people who unexpectedly decide to get rid of poor animals, including administrative fines and compulsory labour.

My vision of one more solution is prohibition of professional breeding and selling home pats instead giving the way to free take away animals from animal shelters. It could decrease reproduction of new animals and also decrease the number of throwaway animals. (118)

Opinion

In my opinion, symbiotic relationships are vital and significant for any developed society. People, whose necessities are satisfied, are able to take care of somebody else. In some situations people can be replaced by pets. It does not matter who you are, what your age is, and where you live, in both ways symbiotic relationships will be meaningful and profitable. I would like to have a dog because dogs can be better friends than humans. They make our life easier and give us feeling of love.

Moreover, dog could also have a lot of benefits from me - care, going for walks together, food, and other necessary things. I suppose, people should think twice before getting a pet and ask themselves «Am I ready to be morally responsible for it?». My attitude to the fact of throwing animals away is completely negative. How can a mentally healthy person determine somebody’s fate and make it/him/her suffer? (156)

Conclusion

To conclude, people should take only positive things out of any symbiotic relationship trying to correct their egoism and learn to take care of someone else. The main thing for a person is to be 100% confident in what he or she has the desire to have this symbiotic relationship, if not - it is better for him or her just to avoid this issue not to do harm to surrounding world. (71)