Dear Ministers and concerned citizens,
Across the world and right here in the UK, wild-caught elephants continue to be imported into zoos, separated from their families, their natural habitats and the lives they were born to live. Recent expert reports make it clear: these animals suffer enormous physical and psychological harm when held in captivity.
In the UK today, there remain elephants in approximately 13 zoos, including both African and Asian species. A report published in July 2025 found that UK and Irish zoos are still importing and breeding elephants, despite clear evidence that captivity shortens their lives and creates suffering they would never endure in the wild.
Key findings underscore the urgency of this matter:
Captive elephants are often kept in enclosures far smaller than their natural ranges, sometimes only a hectare in size, when wild herds roam many kilometres daily.
Transfers between zoos, separation from family herds and unnatural social groupings are common — each contributing to stress, illness and premature death.
Infant mortality is alarmingly high, and captive-born elephants live far shorter lives than wild elephants. Some studies show zoo-born elephants live on average about 20 years, whereas wild counterparts may live 50 to 70 years.
Despite longstanding concerns, the UK government’s recent standards for zoos continue to allow elephant importation and give until 2040 for compliance with improved habitat size.
This is not conservation — it is containment.
Elephants are highly social, intelligent creatures whose needs cannot be met in artificial enclosures. The idea that capturing them and exhibiting them provides adequate welfare or meaningful education is no longer tenable.
Therefore we call on the UK Government to:
Immediately ban the importation of wild-caught elephants into UK (and devolved-nation) zoos.
End captive breeding of elephants in UK zoos and phase out elephant exhibits.
Support alternative, humane conservation programmes that allow elephants to live in their natural habitats, or in large, purpose-built sanctuaries meeting best welfare standards.
Require full transparency from zoos regarding elephant sourcing, welfare data and long-term plans for existing elephant populations.
Let us be clear: the UK today has the opportunity to lead by example in animal welfare and compassion.
By ending the import of wild elephants and committing to better futures for the ones already in captivity, we show that we value freedom over display, respect over spectacle, life over confinement.
Join us in being the voice for those who cannot speak.
This citizen movement may interest you — add your voice today and help build a future where elephants live as they deserve.
Vous êtes sûr ? Votre mobilisation est importante pour que les pétitions atteignent la victoire !
Sachez que vous pouvez vous désinscrire dès que vous le souhaitez.
