WELFARE CONCERNS

FOCUS ON ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY

THERE are increased discussions globally around keeping wild animals in captive environments, says Craig Allenby, the acting manager and director of the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria, which has two elephants in its collection.

“Elephants, being large, charismatic and extremely complex animals, have received attention from animal rights groups due to what they perceive are welfare concerns.

“While it is acknowledged that captive animals will never have the same experiences as their wild counterparts, interactive husbandry is required to mitigate welfare concerns.”

“Zoos that are affiliated to the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria are committed to high animal welfare standards,” he says. “They are united for the care and conservation of living fauna and flora.

“As with all species kept in zoos, captive elephant do have a role to play in the conservation of their wild counterparts.

“Zoos have a unique opportunity to contribute to our understanding of elephants by studying the health, nutrition, welfare, general physiology and behaviour of the animals in their care.

“The value of this scientific research to conservationists and biologists is becoming increasingly apparent as elephant populations continue to decline and become more isolated due to habitat fragmentation and increased poaching.”

The disconnect between humans and nature is growing, remarks Allenby.

“While the argument can be made that TV has brought nature into almost everyone’s living rooms, people still have a different visceral experience when seeing living animals, an experience that many of our visitors would never be able to have were it not for a zoo.

“Species such as elephants draw the visitors to the zoo, but once here, there is the unique opportunity to enhance knowledge around conservation issues and inspire action.”