Elephants in zoos face some of the greatest welfare challenges of any captive species due to their need for vast ranges, complex social lives, and advanced cognitive capacities.
The welfare evidence for elephants in traditional zoo environments is deeply concerning. Foot disease from hard substrates, restricted movement, social deprivation, and psychological distress are all documented. Elephants show stereotypic swaying that is virtually absent in wild populations. Even the best zoo environments provide a fraction of the space and social complexity wild elephants require. The case for phasing out elephant keeping except in the largest sanctuary-style facilities is strong.