Born Free laments missed opportunity of new zoo standards

Group of elephants outside at Chester Zoo © Aaron Gekoksi

Larger habitat enclosures for elephants, the phasing out of tethering of birds, a ban on touch pools in aquariums, better training for staff to handle exotic animals, and improved public safety measures are of course welcome, as is the requirement that zoos will need to compile business continuity plans to ensure they are prepared to protect animals in the event of financial hardship – something Born Free has long called for – but sadly falls short of a Zoo Insurance Bond. However, these changes will not solve the fundamental problem – that wild animals do not belong in captivity. 

Zoos can never fully provide for the complex needs of most wild animal species, particularly large-bodied wide-ranging animals such as elephants, giraffes and cetaceans, highly intelligent and socially complex animals such as great apes and other primates, and specialist hunters such as big cats.

The claim by zoos and zoo associations that they are powerhouses for conservation, education and research, simply do not withstand scrutiny. Zoos fundamentally remain what they have always been – commercially driven public entertainment facilities.

It is deeply concerning that the proposed new conservation requirements of zoos remain unchanged, with all previously proposed improvements having been scrapped. Zoos must still only meet a minimum of one conservation requirement, which may have no meaningful conservation benefit to species in the wild.

Born Free engaged with the review of zoo standards and is disappointed to see that many of the recommendations that emerged through the consultation process have since been severely watered down. We will continue to call for the revision of zoo licensing and inspection processes to ensure the animals that are kept are afforded the best possible care, and the phasing out of those species such as elephants, giraffes, big cats, polar bears and great apes, that clearly suffer in captivity, starting with a ban on breeding and further imports.

Ultimately, we look forward to a day when wild animals are no longer held captive for human entertainment and are afforded the protection they need where they belong – in the wild.

Will Travers OBE, Executive President and Co-Founder of Born Free responded: “We are deeply disappointed to see that elephants will continue to be legally kept in British zoos despite the inherent welfare challenges they face. While an incremental increase in enclosure sizes is a step in the right direction, it is impossible to meet the welfare needs of an elephant in a zoo environment, as demonstrated by an ever-growing mountain of scientific evidence.

A baby elephant at Chester Zoo (c) Aaron Gekoski

“Additionally, zoos have been given 15 years to reach these new non-transformative standards, and we fear that this will mean more than a decade of unnecessary captive suffering and exploitation.

“It is indeed ironic that the launch of the standards has been held at a zoo which does not currently meet the new enclosure requirements for elephants.

“Chester Zoo’s new elephant enclosure is less than half the size of the new requirements, and their record of keeping elephants is highly questionable. Since 2009, 12 elephants have sadly died at the Zoo, eight of whom were under the age of five. These complex, highly intelligent animals deserve better. We must use these standards as a starting point to phase elephants out of zoos, starting with those that cannot meet these new enclosure requirements.”

The effectiveness and impact of any legislation lies in its implementation and enforcement. Recent examples such as South Lakes Safari Zoo highlight how the current licensing and inspection of zoos requires fundamental change.

Sadly, the new standards are unlikely to drive profound change that is so desperately needed, and we call on DEFRA to engage with all stakeholders to review and revise the licensing and inspection of British zoos.

our position on zoos and aquaria