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Elephant keeping in the United Kingdom

   

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Ref: 389/08
Date: 12 December 2008

An independent report on the welfare, housing and husbandry of elephants in UK zoos is published today.

The report provides information on the welfare of elephants in UK zoos, which will help the government and its independent advisers – the Zoos Forum – decide how elephant treatment could be improved and the animals’ needs better met by zoos in future. 

The report by Bristol University was jointly funded by Defra, the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Zoos Forum will make recommendations to government within six months. 

As a result of today’s report, guidelines on elephant management will  be updated by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The report can be found at: http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Elephant Husbandry Report

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Page published: 12 December 2008