Zoos

To appropriate an elephant’s life - or any sentient being’s life - to suffer and, ultimately, die in a zoo “exhibit” is inherently cruel a travesty. There is no justification for it.

It’s difficult to describe the many ways in which zoos are a devastating existence for elephants. In Defense of Animals for the past 20 years has released its 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America. It is extensively researched and identifies the worst zoos, and why they appear on the list. We encourage interested readers to take a look at IDA’s 10 Worst list for 2024 to get a sense of just how awful this industry is, and to what its captive elephants are subjected. Also, IDA has on its site a section on the many ways in which sentencing zoo and circus elephants to a life in captivity is cruel, unethical, immoral and entirely unconscionable.

The harm suffered by zoo elephants includes:

Physical Health Problems: Captive elephants frequently develop arthritis, chronic foot conditions, obesity, musculoskeletal disorders, and even cancer, largely due to enforced inactivity on hard surfaces and poor diet. Captive elephants are much more likely to suffer these ailments than wild ones. [5 6 7]

Psychological Suffering and “Zoochosis”: Elephants are highly intelligent and social, but in captivity they are often kept in small enclosures, isolated, or in groups that do not reflect natural social structures. Many display “zoochosis”: repetitive, compulsive behaviors such as swaying, rocking, and head-bobbing, which indicate psychological distress and brain damage. Studies report that up to 40% of zoo elephants exhibit these signs of trauma. [7 9 10 11]

Separation and Disruption of Social Bonds: In zoos, elephants are routinely separated from family members, especially mothers and calves, breaking lifelong social ties. These disruptions cause long-term psychological damage, as wild elephants build complex, enduring relationships. [12 13 14]

Confinement and Lack of Stimulation: Wild elephants may travel 17 to 30 miles daily, but zoo enclosures are tens of thousands of times smaller than their natural habitat. This extreme restriction prevents elephants from expressing natural behaviors and results in boredom and stress-induced behaviors. [3 7 9]

Lack of Meaningful Conservation Impact: Zoos often act as "net consumers of elephants," removing more individuals from the wild or losing more to premature death than are added through breeding. Arguments that zoos are vital for elephant conservation are undermined by these statistics and by reliance on wild captures to sustain populations. [15 13]

Exploitation and Degrading “Experiences”: Many zoos still use elephants in entertainment, including performances, rides, and unnatural “experiences.” These are frequently enforced through pain and fear-based tools such as bullhooks, subjecting elephants to pain and psychological harm. [16 14]

Poor Reproductive Success and High Infant Mortality: Zoos have a poor record in breeding elephants; approximately 40% or more of infant elephants in zoos die before the age of five. Stillbirth rates and calf mortality are significantly higher than in wild or semi-wild populations, undermining claims that zoos help population sustainability. [8 4]

Premature and Unnatural Deaths: Zoo elephants regularly die from stress-related diseases, chronic infections, and mental health issues. Many facilities do not provide appropriate sanctuary or retirement, condemning elephants to die in poor conditions or at a young age. [17 3 4]

Accelerated Aging and Shortened Lifespans: Elephants in zoos live on average less than half as long as those in the wild, with median lifespans for zoo elephants reported as only 16.9–18.9 years compared to up to 56–70 years in the wild. Chronic stress, lack of movement, and inadequate environments accelerate aging and contribute to early deaths—even with veterinary care. [1 2 3 4]. Note: Sources differ on the extent to which a life in captivity affects an elephant’s longevity.

Expert and Advocacy Consensus: Scientists, veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates have consistently agreed that zoos cannot meet elephants’ complex physical, emotional, and social needs. Nearly every major study and review endorses the view that captive environments cause widespread harm and fail to provide an acceptable quality of life for elephants. [ 3 9 13]