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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...British Zoo Plans New Elephant Exhibit
It seems like zoo owners just don’t get it.
The BBC is reporting that Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol is planning to build a new enclosure to house elephants on its grounds, a move that has been widely criticized by many animal advocacy groups.
On top of the fact that there has been a steady trend toward closing elephant exhibits over the past two decades, this announcement comes on the heels of an elephant attacking a trainer at a zoo in Ohio and another elephant dying mysteriously at a zoo in Massachusetts.
A spokesman for the zoo assures the public of the familiar promises we’re used to hearing from the animal-entertainment industry: that the animals will be well cared for, will benefit from large modern enclosures, etc.
Not only are these promises always hollow mockeries when they come from people who profit from animal captivity and entertainment, but according to the article, this zoo has already been expelled from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums as a result of a questionable relationship with a circus. As if a zoo isn’t bad enough, this is a zoo with ties to a circus. It’s almost like the twin enemies of elephants everywhere have joined forces.
The list of groups that have spoken out against the proposed new elephant exhibit include RSPCA, the Born Free Foundation, the Captive Animal Protection Society, and the Animal Defenders.
Truthfully, the criticism of these groups is unlikely to make a difference to the Noah’s Ark Zoo. These people are only ever interested in what is going to make them money. And, unfortunately, a new elephant exhibit will do just that.
But the next time you’re thinking of visiting a zoo, consider whether it makes any sense to have an animal accustomed to the climes of Asia and Africa, in zoos in Europe and North America. Ask yourself if an animal the size of an elephant, with the social structure of an elephant, can ever be healthy and happy in a small enclosure with few, if any at all, companions. Ask yourself if an animal as intelligent and sensitive as an elephant, doesn’t understand that she is in captivity. And when you realize that elephants have no place in zoos, then ask yourself if any animal belongs in a zoo.
I think you’ll find the answer is pretty obvious.
Read more: animal welfare, animals in captivity, Bristol, elephant, england, noahs ark zoo farm, rspca, uk, zoo
Photo: OpenCage
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232 comments
+ add your ownwe cqnt continue hunmtoing this animals they need to live in peace in the freedom.
From an early age I've been aware that zoos are where animals suffer. When I was five my mother took me into a zoo that was part of a circus. There was an elephant with one foot chained to a metal stake in the ground. It was just swaying to and fro. There was a large primate in a cage not much bigger than a chest of drawers. I was so upset I begged my mother to take me out of there and I've never been in a zoo since. I hate the damn places and the people who run them.
I can't bear to think about it . How much longer is this cruelty going to be allowed to happen.
Human greed does seem very well armored against enemies such as compassion and empathy, doesn't it?
Elephants are such social beings, they need to be in large herds. They are very intelligent and emotional. In their natural habitat they visit elephant grave yards, pick up the bones in their trunks and lovingly caress them . . . .
All sentient creatures should be free to live as God intended.
Ban zoos, promote shelters.
So sad.
Zoos should not exist!
Sadly noted! Thank you Mac!!
I feel sorry for the elephants that live under such conditions.
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