Calls to phase out elephants being kept in zoos

12th December 2008

Animal welfare officers are calling for zoos to phase out keeping elephants, after two damning reports found the animals suffer serious health problems and die much younger in captivity.

Elephants born and raised in zoos live less than half as long as those living in their native Africa and Asia, despite being protected from predators and having better care, according to one of the reports.

Many of the deaths are thought to be linked to obesity, because the animals are well fed but get very little exercise in their small enclosures. Scientists also blamed high stress levels, which the animals suffer most after being transferred between zoos and being separated from their mothers.

There can be no substitute for seeing elephants in the wild – Exodus operate a number of wildlife watching holidays including trips to various national parks to watch elephants in their own habitat, free from the constraints of small enclosures.

Take a look at a selection of our holidays visiting African elephants.