International Animal Rights/Welfare/Conservation community lauds Indian decision to ban Elephants in zoos and circuses

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No More Elephants in India's Zoos

 

12 November 2009

 

*Categories:* Homepage News, Elephants Campaign

News<http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/elephants/news/>,

Zoo Check Campaign

News<http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns/zoo-check/zoo-news/>

 

*While the Western Zoos Dither, India Condemns Captivity in Zoos as Causing

Unacceptable ‘Trauma’.*

 

*The Born Free Foundation joins the global animal welfare and conservation

community in welcoming plans by the Government of India to end the keeping

of elephants in zoos and circuses*

 

The following statement has been endorsed by groups as diverse as the Born

Free Foundation (UK), PETA (USA) and the RSPCA (UK), united in their concern

for elephants in captivity and their praise for the Indian Government:

 

*It has been confirmed that the Central Zoo Authority, the Government agency

responsible for India's zoos, has recognised that zoos cannot provide a

suitable environment for elephants and has taken the momentous step to

order, through a CZA Directive, the relocation of all elephants in zoos and

circuses in India to sanctuaries, national parks and reserves. The decision

of the CZA reflects the growing concern expressed by many citizens, animal

welfare groups and elephant experts* about the inadequacy of the zoo and

circus environment for elephants.*

 

*The Directive will have a significant and potentially positive impact on up

to 150 elephants currently in Indian zoos and circuses.*

 

*Provided that certain safeguards and animal welfare measures can be

guaranteed, we* welcome the decision of the CZA and call upon governments in

other countries to follow India’s example and end confinement of elephants

in zoos and circuses.*

 

*Importantly, the CZA also confirms that there is little or no benefit to

the in situ conservation of wild elephants derived from keeping elephants in

zoos and the like.*

 

Will Travers, CEO of the Born Free Foundation said: “*India** has already

demonstrated its commitment to animal welfare by banning the use of big

cats, bears and primates in circuses, for example. This is unexpected yet

enormously welcome further progress – clear leadership from the Government

of India, a country with nearly 30,000 wild elephants - that this species

does not belong in zoos or circuses. Frankly, it puts countries like the UK

and the USA that continue to allow the exploitation of elephants in both

zoos and circuses, to shame.*”

 

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*Current signatories:

 

Advocates for Animals (UK)

 

Amboseli Trust for Elephants (Kenya and USA)

 

Animal Defenders International (UK)

 

Animal Public e.V. (Germany)

 

Animals Asia Foundation (Hong Kong)

 

Animals Australia (Australia)

 

BNHS - Bombay Natural History Society (India)

 

Born Free Foundation (UK)

 

Born Free USA (USA)

 

CAPS - The Captive Animals' Protection Society (UK)

 

Care for the Wild International (UK)

 

CAT - Conservation Action Trust (India)

 

Circus Watch Ireland (Ireland)

 

Co-Habitat (UK)

 

EIA - Environmental Investigation Agency (UK)

 

ElephantVoices (Norway and Kenya)

 

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee (USA)

 

FAADA - Fundación para la Adopción, Apadrinamiento y Defensa de los Animales

(Spain)

 

David Hancocks, Zoo planner, designer, and former Zoo Director (Australia

and USA)

 

HSI - Humane Society International (International)

 

HSI - Humane Society International (Australia)

 

Humane Society of Canada (Canada)

 

HSUS - Humane Society of the United States (USA)

 

IDA - In Defense of Animals (USA)

 

International Animal Rescue (UK)

 

IPPL - International Primate Protection League (USA)

 

Lisa Kane, JD (USA)

 

Prof. Phyllis Lee, University of Stirling (UK)

 

Libera! (Spain)

 

Dr. Keith Lindsay, Amboseli Elephant Research Project (Kenya)

 

Amy Mayers, Communications Consultant (USA)

 

NAPA - Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance (Norway)

 

NCSA - Nature Conservation Society Amravati (India)

 

OceanCare (Switzerland)

 

PAWS - Performing Animal Welfare Society (USA)

 

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (USA)

 

ProFauna Indonesia (Indonesia)

 

Ian Redmond OBE, African Ele-Fund and co-founder, EleFriends (UK)

 

Dr. Mel Richardson, Veterinarian (USA)

 

RSPCA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (UK)

 

SAEN - Stop Animal Exploitation Now! (USA)

 

Peter Stroud, Zoological Consultant (Australia)

 

Betsy Swart, Amboseli Elephant Research Project (Kenya)

 

TRACT - Tiger Research and Conservation Trust (India)

 

Wild Futures (UK)

 

Wildlife SOS (India)

 

WTI - Wildlife Trust of India (India)

 

Chris Wold, Lewis & Clark Law School (USA)

 

WSPA - World Society for the Protection of Animals (International)

 

Zoocheck Canada (Canada)

 

**

 

 

**

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