Elephants are much loved, charismatic creatures and a keystone species for the environment. Experts agree their physical and psychological needs cannot be met in captivity. They suffer greatly in inadequate conditions and die prematurely. This isn’t right.
Across the world public pressure is building against keeping elephants in zoos. It is backed by mounting scientific evidence that much like humans, elephants experience tremendous stress in restricted, isolated conditions.
Even large zoos are insufficient for a species that roams great distances each day to forage for food. When multiple elephants are held together, zoos will argue they have the companionship of a herd that require to flourish. Yet this is a fallacy. Elephants are swapped between zoos and friendships and kinships are broken. Under the psychological duress of captivity, tensions often emerge, and deaths have occurred within ‘herds’, including, tragically, infanticide. As for elephants that are kept alone - some 27 individuals across Europe - loneliness and depression becomes an everyday part of existence.
See what the experts are saying in the articles below…
Elephants in zoos: a legacy of shame
A powerful Born Free report exposes the reality of elephants exploited in captivity, and calls on zoos to become elephant-free.
‘Nothing to do, nowhere to go’: What happens when elephants live alone - NatGeo
Research shows that solitary confinement is damaging to the human brain. The same is likely true for elephants.
The great escape - BBC Wildlife
As zoos and circuses release their captive elephants, what solutions exist to offer these giants a better quality of life?
by Mark Stratton
The elephant who could be a person - The Atlantic
The most important animal-rights case of the 21st century revolves around an elephant and her right to an existence in keeping with her nature - The Atlantic
by Jill Lepore