Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

In an event at the European Parliament in Brussels in November 2008, the Born Free Foundation joined forces with 30 other animal welfare organisations, under a coalition called ENDCAP (the pan-European network to END the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity, established by Born Free), to raise awareness about the sub-standard conditions in many zoos in Europe.  Attended by key Members of the European Parliament, representatives from European animal welfare organisations and the EU-accredited press, speakers provided evidence which confirmed that the EC Zoos Directive, the specific European legislation to protect wild animals in zoos, is failing in its objectives.

The European Zoos Directive, requires that all zoos (as defined) in the European Union  be licensed and regularly inspected, to ensure they meet specific requirements:

●  Participating in research, training or information exchange relating to species conservation
●  Promoting public education and awareness in relation to the conservation of biodiversity
●  Ensuring that the animals are kept in suitable conditions with high standards in husbandry
●  Preventing escape of animals in order to avoid threat to indigenous animal species
●  Keeping up-to-date records of the zoo’s collection

These requirements are consistent with the requirements of the Travelife Animal Attraction Handbook.

Initial studies by ENDCAP have revealed that numerous zoos in many European countries are unlicensed and not inspected but still remain open to the public.  Conditions for the animals in hundreds, if not thousands of zoos are sub-standard and unacceptable, providing the animals with the bare minimum and little comfort.  Few zoos appear to recognise their obligations to provide public education and demonstrate a commitment to conservation, with poor signage and the keeping of limited numbers of endangered species.  Zoos are not complying with the European law.

ENDCAP has informed the European Commission of these findings, but continues to gather evidence to substantiate an improvement of the European zoo law.  This would include further animal welfare provisions (Five Freedoms) and through the establishment of further guidance, ensure better implementation and enforcement of the law by European countries.

Tour operators and members of the public can play a role and help in these endeavors by completing and sending a campaign postcard to the Commissioner for the Environment.  For further information about the initiative and an opportunity to print the online postcard, please check out www.bornfree.org.uk/postcard/

If you would like further information about Europe’s substandard zoos and whether captive animal attractions you visit are meeting their legal requirements, please call Daniel on 01403 240170.