Zoo Animal Welfare FAQs

No, ACRES is not anti-zoos. What we are against is animals suffering in zoos, animals being kept in substandard conditions, animals not having their needs met and animals not being able to behave as they would in the wild. We are also against animals being made to perform unnatural tricks or being used for rides and photography sessions, simply for the entertainment of visitors.

ACRES acknowledges that some zoos are much better than others, both in terms of the welfare of the animals and their commitment to education and conservation. We urge these zoos to help to bring the standards at other zoos – where the welfare of the animals is poor- up to much better standards.

No. Animals have far more complex needs; not only physical needs, but also behavioural and emotional needs. An animal requires all of their needs to be met and to be able to act like a wild animal if they are going to experience good welfare.

No – animals will breed in the most terrible conditions, so animals continuing to have offspring is not a sign that they are happy or that their welfare is good. We have seen many examples of animals being kept in terrible conditions – the worst you can imagine – with offspring. Similarly, just because an animal lives for a long time it does not mean that their welfare is good. For instance, bears kept on bear farms and milked for their bile – experiencing the stress of confinement in extremely small cages and the painful bile extraction day after day – can live for 15-20 years or more. These poor bears will also continue to breed, despite the terrible conditions they endure.

Some zoos do have conservation and/or educational programmes that can benefit animals. However, some zoos or other facilities that keep wild animals appear to exist purely or mainly for recreation, and at these facilities the needs of visitors are put before the needs of the animals. Some zoos or families that display wild animals have little or no educational or conservation value. These zoos need to change and put more emphasis on education and/or conservation, or consider replacing the displaying of wild animals with an alternative, appropriate, form of entertainment.

Some zoos do support conservation and have conservation programmes in place. One very good example is the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly Jersey Zoo) in Jersey, The Channel Islands.

The best way to save wild animals is to support conservation projects in the countries that the animals come from. For example, the best panda conservation programmes are those that take place in China. These type of conservation programmes – called in-situ- conservation programmes, are the best ones to support, and the best thing is for zoos to support these kinds of programmes.

However, some zoos do not have any conservation role at all and simply display and breed non-endangered animals, purely for visitor entertainment

Only if the zoos are teaching the correct message about animals. This means no circus-style animal shows, animal rides, animal photography sessions or other practices which involve animals behaving in unnatural ways. These are undoubtedly counter-educational. Watching animals in enclosures performing abnormal behaviours or being kept in barren environments where they simply cannot display their natural behaviours also gives a very misleading impression about the true nature of animals. For zoos to have any educational role, the animals must be housed in naturalistic conditions and be free to behave as wild animals.

Some zoos have very commendable education programmes. However, many zoos need to put a lot more effort into their education programmes for them to be more effective.

Children can also learn about wild animals in many other ways – for example watching animals in the wild, through the internet (especially with today’s technology and amazing live web feeds showing real-time footage of animals in the wild) and also through the many brilliant documentaries on wild animals that have been made.

ACRES does not agree with the use of any animals in shows that involve the animals performing unnatural or circus-style tricks, or that in any way demean or trivialise the animals. We do not believe that animals should be used in shows unless the show has a strong educational message.

We also feel that any animals used in animal presentations must be housed in suitable conditions that meet all of the Five Freedoms.

ACRES is in agreement with the WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Code of Ethics and Animal Welfare which states:

2. Use of Zoo and Aquarium Based Animals

“Where “wild” animals are used in presentations, these presentations must:-

(a) deliver a sound conservation message, or be of other educational value,
(b) focus on natural behaviour,
(c) not demean or trivialise the animal in any way.
If there is any indication that the welfare of the animal is being compromised, the presentation should be brought to a conclusion.

When not being used for presentations, the “off-limit” areas must allow the animal sufficient space to express natural behaviour and should contain adequate items for behavioural enrichment.

While the code focuses on zoos and aquarium based “wild” animals, the welfare of domestic animals, e.g., sheep, goats, horses, etc., in, e.g, petting zoos should not be compromised.”

Only if the zoos are teaching the correct message about animals. This means no circus-style animal shows, animal rides, animal photography sessions or other practices which involve animals behaving in unnatural ways. These are undoubtedly counter-educational. Watching animals in enclosures performing abnormal behaviours or being kept in barren environments where they simply cannot display their natural behaviours also gives a very misleading impression about the true nature of animals. For zoos to have any educational role, the animals must be housed in naturalistic conditions and be free to behave as wild animals.

Some zoos have very commendable education programmes. However, many zoos need to put a lot more effort into their education programmes for them to be more effective.

Children can also learn about wild animals in many other ways – for example watching animals in the wild, through the internet (especially with today’s technology and amazing live web feeds showing real-time footage of animals in the wild) and also through the many brilliant documentaries on wild animals that have been made.

A lot of the tricks we see in animal shows are unnatural tricks, which can be very uncomfortable and confusing for the animals, so it’s doubtful that they enjoy doing them. For example, when an elephant is made to sit on their hind legs, this puts incredible pressure on their internal organs, and can even lead to death. It is no doubt very uncomfortable for them. Dolphins who are forced to come out of the water and lie on the floor are putting great pressure on their internal organs.

Animals may be trained using force or food deprivation to get them to perform these tricks that are so unnatural to them.

Generally, if an animal does not perform a behaviour in the wild, they should not be made to perform it in a show.

ACRES does not feel that photography sessions with live animals are a good idea. First and foremost, the animals used for such sessions usually do not have the choice as to whether or not they take part in the sessions- and the ability of an animal to have choice over their environment and their life is one of the basics of good welfare.

The animals often spend long hours in one place, not able to move around and perform unnatural behaviours. This is likely to be very frustrating for them. Animals may get stressed when they are used for photography sessions and anxious about being around humans, especially large noisy groups, even if they have been used in this way for a long time. Wild animals after all remain wild animals with wild instincts, even in captivity.

Birds used for photography sessions often have their wings clipped or ‘pinioned’ to prevent them from flying away. We can only imagine how frustrating it must be for a bird to not be able to act on their most basic instinct- to fly- and to be forced to remain standing on a perch or two.

In some zoos, animals may have their teeth and claws removed to make it less likely that they will hurt a visitor. This will affect the quality of life for the animal, and the removal process can be very painful, especially if performed with no anaesthetic.

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.