Elephants in sanctuaries and zoos face welfare challenges arising from their complex social, cognitive, and physical needs that are difficult to meet in confined settings.
Elephants are among the most challenging animals to keep in genuinely high welfare conditions in captivity. Their social complexity, cognitive sophistication, and physical requirements make traditional zoo enclosures inadequate. The best captive facilities provide large, naturalistic landscapes, stable social groups of related females, specialist veterinary care, and extensive enrichment. Sanctuaries that provide lifelong care for rescued elephants without public performance requirements typically achieve better welfare outcomes than commercial tourist venues.