Freedom for Animals is today releasing an important new report, “The Unnatural Lives of Elephants in Captivity: The Case of Dublin Zoo”, co-authored by leading elephant experts including Dr. Rob Atkinson, Dr. Andrew Kelly, and Dr. Keith Lindsay; calling on the UK and Irish governments to phase out the keeping of elephants in UK and Irish zoos, starting with an immediate ban on the breeding and import of elephants.

The report outlines the reasons why elephants do not belong in zoos and presents solid evidence of elephant suffering, both physical and psychological, and premature death. The report presents Dublin Zoo as a case study, highlighting the litany of animal welfare and mismanagement issues evident there, and the findings apply equally to UK and other European zoos.

Read the full report:

Click the image above to read the report, or via the link HERE!

Key Findings:

• Elephant deaths linked to captivity stress
  Two young elephants at Dublin Zoo, Avani (7) and Zinda (8), tragically died from EEHV (elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) in 2024; just weeks after a bull elephant was introduced into the group after being transferred from a UK zoo. Experts suggest the stress of repeated transfers and social disruptions likely weakened the elephants' immune systems, contributing to the outbreak.

• Zoo transfers cause distress and suffering
  Elephants are herd animals, who will rarely leave their families in the wild. However, this report documents a revolving door of elephant transfers at Dublin Zoo. 30 elephants have lived there, and 13 have been relocated, often at great emotional cost to the individuals affected.

• Tiny enclosures and cold climates
  Wild elephants can cover up to 10 kilometres in a day. However, far from the “vast habitat” promoted in marketing materials, the elephants at Dublin Zoo are confined to an area of less than one hectare. The enclosure is vegetation-free, and the cold Irish climate forces elephants indoors for long periods, further compounding welfare concerns.

• Premature breeding and poor lifespans
  Elephants at Dublin Zoo are bred at shockingly young ages. One female, Asha, was a mother by just 9 years old; long before elephants in the wild would typically breed. The lifespan of zoo-born elephants remains significantly lower than those in the wild, with the stress of captivity negatively affecting their health and wellbeing.

The “Conservation” Con

The Unnatural Lives of Elephants in Captivity: The Case of Dublin Zoo challenges the zoo’s claims of contributing to conservation, education, and research. In truth, there is no scientific justification for breeding elephants in zoos. The evidence shows captive breeding, and the forced imprisonment of elephants, does nothing to support wild populations, nor does it meaningfully educate the public.

Keeping elephants in tiny, artificial enclosures in zoos for human entertainment must be consigned to the history books. Some zoos, including Belfast Zoo and Paignton Zoo have already stopped keeping elephants and it's time for all UK and Irish Zoos to follow their example: said Dr. Andrew Kelly, former Director of Freedom for Animals and co-author of the report.

In the UK, DEFRA recently published the revised Secretary of State’s Standards for Modern Zoo Practice (SSSMZP). This includes only a modest increase in the minimum size for elephant enclosures to just 2ha for 5 elephants, yet giving zoos till 2040 to comply. DEFRA also failed to mandate the phasing out of elephants from zoos, despite previously stating their intention to do so. This decision, and the revised standards, ignore the basic biology of elephants and fly in the face of the evidence - they cannot thrive in zoo environments, and suffer greatly.

Freedom for Animals is urging the UK and Irish government to:

• Commit to phasing out elephants in zoos

• Immediately ban elephant breeding and imports

• Support their transition to conservation sites in the wild, or to sanctuaries that meet Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) standards, where they may live out their days in peace with freedom to roam

The UK and Ireland have the opportunity to be a real force for change on this issue; by pushing forward truly ethical animal protection legislation to end the cruel captivity of these incredible animals. 

We are working with the National Animal Rights Association Ireland (NARA) and Irish politicians to shine a spotlight on the suffering of animals held captive at Dublin Zoo. You can help this important campaign by signing their current live petition HERE!

How you can help

Join us in calling for an end to elephant captivity in the UK and Ireland. Together, we can make a difference.

• Take action via our online form - to send a letter to DEFRA today!

• Share this report

• Order free leaflets for your event or protest, and take action against a zoo near you! 

• Donate to fund further investigations and research, to help us build on this important work for animals!

• Adopt an elephant today! Not only a great gift idea, adoptions also help us to fund our campaigns!

• Support true elephant sanctuaries and ethical conservation programmes