Major Overhaul in Animal Welfare Rules in British zoos

Animal welfare rules in Britain are being updated

It's been more than 10 years since animal welfare rules were changed in Britain. In that time, hundreds of animals have died. The problem has been so bad that some zoos have closed after their licenses were not renewed due to welfare concerns. Animals have died from neglect, illnesses and untreated wounds. Now, the government has introduced new standards which will "ensure the UK’s famous zoos remain global leaders in the zoo industry".

In zoo enclosures animals are forced to live in confined spaces, completely unnatural for them

Inspection reports released to Freedom for Animals from the local council documented how

"Inspection reports released to Freedom for Animals from the local council documented how numbers of animal deaths at the zoo were reportedly high, with many preventable deaths occurring. Animals had died from exposure, emaciation, hypothermia and had even been run over. The reports also indicated that the management of the zoo was poor, with basic animal welfare needs not being met."

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What are the New Rules

The new welfare regulations for British zoos will cover many different aspects of how zoos work. From improving conservation work to improving business plans, the plans will improve the lives of animals kept in these institutions. Part of the new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain, the overhaul includes:

• Larger habitats for elephants to better replicate natural habitats.

• Tethering birds of prey as a method of confinement is to be replaced with large aviary enclosures.

• No touching of animals in aquariums, reducing stress for animals. Particularly in the more intelligent creatures, such as ray and octopus.

• Improved conservation – Clear steps to enforce conservation standards to drive up standards across the whole sector. New requirements for record keeping, including breeding programs for endangered species, research into animal behaviour and reproduction, and education about conservation issues. There will also be a curb on the sourcing of animals from the wild.

• Protecting the public – All zoos will need to ensure appropriate safety measures are in place if they want to keep dangerous animals, including double-gated entry systems, lone worker procedures, and the appropriate availability of firearms.

• Updated business plans – To ensure zoos are prepared to protect animals in the event of financial hardship, they will now be required to develop clear business continuity plans

  
  

Animal Welfare Minister, Baroness Hayman said:  

We are a nation of animal lovers and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept. Today’s long-overdue reforms lay the foundation for an even stronger, even more compassionate future for all zoos and aquariums —and the animals they protect.  This is the first step as part of our commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation. We’re making sure all sectors have the tools they need thrive, which is vital in our mission to deliver economic growth and make lives better for people across the country under our Plan for Change.

Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary and star of CBBC’s One Zoo Three, said:  

For too long, zoos have been misunderstood as places of entertainment, but these new standards make it unmistakably clear: modern, good zoos put wildlife first. They are hubs for conservation, education, and world-leading animal care. I’m proud to be part of the UK’s zoo, sanctuary and aquarium community, setting the global benchmark for the welfare of endangered species. This is a huge step forward and also a call to action for other countries to now raise their standards, so animals everywhere benefit from the same level of care, and we can align globally for wildlife.

Hopefully, this will prevent some of the harms that have happened before, where animals were treated as entertainment.

"Lion cubs at Longleat Safari Park were killed after the zoo let inbreeding get out of control. The zoo admitted they bred too many to make sure there were always cute babies on display."

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There is a 2 year timeline on zoos and aquariums to adapt to these changes, with further phased timelines for some species-specific measures. These changes, part of the wider Plan for Change, is meant to modernise the way animals are cared for in zoos and aquariums while reaffirming the UK’s position as a global leader in ethical and responsible wildlife management.

The question is, will they go far enough?

The new published standards are available on gov.uk.

Sources

Freedom for Animals

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