How you can help zoo animals

As visitors to zoos and other facilities with captive wild animals, we can all play a part in improving the welfare of the animals housed in them. If we see any instance of poor treatment of animals or poor welfare (for example, the needs of the animals are not being met, or they are displaying stereotypic behaviours), or if we see animals performing unnatural tricks that are demeaning to the animals and trivialise them, we must write to the establishment and make our concerns known. It is often only if we speak up for the animals that changes will be made, as they cannot speak up for themselves.

The good news is that improvements to zoo animal welfare can often be made, and the suffering of animals can be reduced, by making some simple changes to their surroundings and the husbandry practices in place. Many animals currently held in zoos would benefit by being moved to large, naturalistic enclosures. The more public concern there is about keeping animals in substandard conditions- and the greater the expression of public sentiment that animals should be housed in more naturalistic conditions – the quicker these changes will come.

It is very important to write to zoos and congratulate them when they take progressive steps, such as relocating animals to sanctuaries or better enclosures, or ending circus-style animal shows.

If I see bad conditions in a zoo what can I do?

You can write a polite letter or email to the management of the zoo with your concerns, along with photographic or video evidence highlighting the problems you identified. Indicate that you would like a reply.

You can also write to the following zoo associations with your concerns about zoos in Asia:

SEAZA- South East Asian Zoos Association
President: Mr. Sophon Dumnui Email: sumatekamol@yahoo.com

WAZA- the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Executive Director: Gerald Dick PHD. Email: secretariat@waza.org

Address:
WAZA Executive Office
IUCN Conservation Centre
Rue Mauverney 28
CH-1196 Gland
Switzerland

Please also contact Amy Corrigan at ACRES: amy@acres.org.sg if you have any concerns about captive wild animals at any facilities in Asia.