No Zoos, No Safaris: Elephants Can Roam Free Here

Among the measures proposed to protect animals across the United Kingdom, one prevents zoos and safaris from having elephants in captivity, a decision hailed as a victory from animal conservationists.

“Elephants are highly intelligent, extremely social, sentient beings with complex family structures and bonds that last a lifetime,” says Audrey Delisink, Wildlife Director of Humane Society International. “They require space to roam freely with other elephants where they can express normal elephant behaviors and thrive emotionally and physically.”

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is expected to pass later this year and will cover puppy smuggling, live animal exportation, primates as pets, livestock worrying, and zoos where regulations and conservation efforts will need to be improved. As part of the Action Plan for Animal Welfare, the government plans on announcing more laws to better protect animals. These laws will touch upon microchipping, pet theft, welfare for farmed animals, and wildlife crime.