Elephants kept in zoos experience pain and suffering, a leading animal welfare charity has claimed, and keeping them in captivity should be phased out.
In Europe alone, there are 580 elephants held in zoos, including 49 in 11 establishments in the UK - with two housed alone. There are also nearly 300 held in North American zoos.
Born Free says the impact of captivity on their physical and psychological health and welfare means that the majority of elephants in European and North American zoos “develop and display abnormal stereotypic behaviours”.
