Elephants are among the most challenging species to maintain in captivity, with their complex social, physical, and cognitive needs rarely met in zoo or tourism settings.
Elephant welfare in captivity represents one of the most serious ongoing challenges in zoo management. The mismatch between an elephant's evolved needs - vast spaces, complex social bonds, varied terrain, and cognitive stimulation - and what captivity can provide is profound. Stereotypic behaviors, shortened lifespans, and foot disease are nearly universal in zoo elephants. While progressive zoos have improved conditions, many tourist facilities worldwide maintain elephants in conditions causing severe suffering.