Press Release

San Rafael, Calif. (November 12, 2009)–In Defense of Animals (IDA) today hailed the recent ruling by India's Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to completely ban the keeping of elephants in zoos throughout the country and ordering of the release of 140 such elephants, who will be "rehabilitated" to live in semi-free ranging conditions in forest camps and facilities near national parks, and other protected wildlife reserves.

A N Prasad, director, Project Elephant of the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India was quoted thus: "CZA's order is binding on all zoos. Elephants are large animals and require a large area to move about freely. The environment of a zoo can be very restrictive."

The CZA ruling, dated November 7, 2009, found that the housing of elephants in zoos causes trauma to the animals." The ruling continues: "Elephants is a large mege-herbivore, which is fee ranging, cruising over long distances. There are very few zoos in the country, which have adequate space to permit free movement of elephants, as result of which they are kept chained for long hours, causing distress to the animal. Further, more often than not, such captive elephants in zoos hardly breed."

The ruling continues: "There is very little scope for ex-situ to in-situ linkage in the context of zoo elephants in India".

Dr. Anand Ramanathan, a wildlife biologist and veterinarian who is also Executive Director of IDA, an international animal protection and zoo watchdog organization based in California, hailed the CZA's decision and stated,

"When an Asian elephant range country such as India takes a stance while taking into account the challenges of breeding elephants in captivity as well as realizing how little, ex-situ elephant management efforts have to do with in-situ elephant conservation, why can’t the US, which is not even an elephant range country, do the same?"

If a country such as India, which has thousands of years' experience managing elephants in captivity, can make such a forward-thinking decision, then certainly the United States can take a stand against circuses that exploit elephants and sub-optimal zoo exhibits that cause elephants to suffer and die prematurely," he continued.

Dr. Ramanathan, a native of India, also congratulated all the animal welfare groups there that have been working hard to improve the plight of elephants in captivity in India.

The suffering of elephants in circuses is well documented, with these intelligent and sensitive animals routinely subjected to beatings, prolonged chaining and confinement on train cars, trucks and tiny pens in arena parking lots.

Elephant suffering in zoos is also prevalent. A 2006, IDA survey, of U.S. zoos found that 62 percent of elephants suffered from foot disease, including chronic abscesses, bone infection, toe fractures, cracks and ulcerations; while 42 percent suffered from arthritis. The cramped and unnatural conditions along with the poor substrate for their housing, as well as exposure to extreme weather conditions and lack of exercise are common confounding factors that lead to foot disease among the elephants held in many U.S. zoos.

In the U.S. 18 zoos have already closed or are phasing out their elephant exhibits. This includes the venerable Bronx Zoo, which in 2006 stated that it will focus the considerable resources it takes to house and maintain elephants in zoos instead on field conservation programs that save elephants in their native range countries.

For more information, please visit www.HelpElephants.com.