Captive elephant welfare is one of the most complex challenges in zoo and sanctuary management, requiring large spaces and complex social environments.
Elephants in small zoo enclosures with concrete substrates develop foot abscesses, arthritis, and stereotypic behavior patterns. Solitary housing causes severe psychological suffering in these highly social animals. Sanctuary environments with many acres, varied terrain, and appropriate social groups achieve dramatically better welfare outcomes. The gap between best and worst captive elephant welfare is enormous.