Across the country as we speak, thousands of animals are being confined, transported and manipulated…all so that they can be put on display and forced to interact with the public as part of mobile zoo events. In 2016, Freedom for Animals (then known as CAPS) released a report documenting the growth of mobile zoos, and sadly since that date, the number of mobile zoos in England has only risen, and the situation for animals has become more dire.

For that reason, Freedom for Animals realised the urgent need for further research on this important issue. Today we are releasing a brand new, groundbreaking report called ‘Mobile Zoos, Mobile Misery: An Examination of the Licensing, Welfare, and Other Issues Relating to Travelling Animal Exhibitions in England’. 

The report aims to shed light on the harsh realities animals face in mobile zoos across England, and how their lives are not only being exploited, but left unprotected by the current animal welfare legislation covering this industry. 

Between 2022-2024, investigators attended public mobile zoo events across the country to document how animals are used in travelling events, and the handling and transportation methods they are subjected to as part of this process. 

What we uncovered whilst investigating events for this report was shocking, with many animals documented to be:

• Held in enclosures that lack basic necessities such as fresh water, adequate shelter, and species-specific enrichment. 

• Held on display without species specific care needs present, such as essential heat sources for reptiles. 

• Constrained and forced to interact with humans for hours a day, without rest or welfare breaks. For example, many birds were seen tethered on display for hours on end in loud, crowded environments, and many other animals were also prevented from escaping human contact even when visibly distressed (i.e. trembling or desperately attempting to turn away from outstretched hands).

• Transported for hours to events in small, inappropriate temporary enclosures, and held in them for the duration of events in a range of poor weather conditions, and areas experiencing high levels of noise.

Like you, we are dedicated to ending the use of animals for human entertainment. This research has only strengthened the evidence that travelling animal exhibitions are exploitative, profit driven events, which by their very transient nature cause animal suffering and neglect. 

For that reason, we are calling for an outright ban on the use of animals in mobile exhibitions, as we believe this to be the only way to protect animals from mistreatment, inadequate living conditions, and high-stress environments.

Take action for animals used in mobile zoos today!

Head to our take action page to find out how you can take a stand against this cruelty.

You can also head to our investigation page on Mobile Zoos HERE, and find out more ways in which you can fight for these animals freedom!