Elephant welfare in zoos is among the most scrutinized issues in captive animal management. Their complex social needs and enormous space requirements create fundamental challenges that few facilities can adequately meet.
Elephant welfare in conventional zoos presents an irresolvable tension between exhibition and welfare. No zoo exhibit can provide sufficient space for normal elephant behavior — the result is chronic welfare compromise including foot disease from hard substrates, obesity from restricted movement, and psychological problems from social disruption. The growing consensus among welfare scientists is that elephant keeping in traditional zoo settings cannot achieve adequate welfare. Phased retirement to large sanctuaries represents the most welfare-positive long-term solution for current captive individuals.