Most zoos do not publicly report welfare outcome data. Greater transparency through standardised reporting would improve accountability and drive welfare improvement across the sector.
Welfare transparency is a precondition for genuine improvement. Without public reporting of welfare outcomes - stereotypy rates, health indicators, reproductive success, and quality of life assessments - zoos cannot be held accountable for their welfare claims. The farm animal welfare sector's move toward public outcome reporting has demonstrably improved standards. Zoo welfare advocates should push for equivalent transparency requirements.