Elephants require vast home ranges and complex social structures that cannot be replicated in zoo settings, and captive elephant welfare remains one of the most contested issues in zoo biology.
Elephants are cognitively complex, emotionally sophisticated animals with lifelong memory, strong social bonds and extensive behavioural repertoires. Captive environments restrict movement to a fraction of natural ranges, prevent natural social bonding and cause chronic physical health problems. Stereotypic swaying and head-bobbing affect the majority of captive elephants and indicate severe psychological distress.