In British zoos and circuses, many elephants are unnaturally kept singly or in pairs. “Wild elephants frequently bathe in mud and water. This maintains the skin and is a pleasurable experience enjoyed by whole families of elephants. Elephants also dust themselves with dry earth, which it is believed protects the elephants from the sun and insect bites.” For elephants in captivity, particularly in circuses, these behaviours are not possible. Elephants are also deprived of basics such as mud wallows and dusting facilities.
In captivity they suffer from psychological trauma as well as from physical abuse. Conditions such as boredom, depression and psychoses are often observed in captive individuals. These are very rarely, if ever, seen in wild elephant behaviour. One of the reasons for this behaviour is the unnatural living conditions offered by either zoos or circuses. “Elephants travel over large distances in the wild, but are confined to tiny enclosures in captivity for about 9 months of every year and only slightly larger ones for the rest.” ()
The stress and frustration of circus life takes its toll on the animals' mental state. “Circus animals can often be seen performing repetitive, obsessive actions, such as pacing back and forth, rocking, chewing their tails or paws or licking themselves. Elephants cry salt water tears, just like people do, when they are under severe stress.”
In one incident, an elephant was so distressed that she apparently took her own life:
"An elephant we had captured actually committed suicide. One evening, at a village called No Lu, we had tied up our captives as usual and retired to a neighbouring house for a meal, when one of the Emperor's men came in to inform him that a female elephant was dead. We followed him out and we could see quite clearly what had happened. The poor creature - who that afternoon had allowed herself to be tied up without protest - had voluntarily tightened the rope around her neck by walking round and round the great trunk and then, when it was as tight as she could get it, had thrown herself forward on her knees and strangled herself.”
(Baze, W. (1955) Just Elephants, translated from the French by H.M. Burton. Elek books, London.)
Keeping Elephants in zoos plays an important part of conserving them
However many zoos across the world support the many needs of the elephants. By Taking care of the animals, it helps support conservation.
Chester zoo states that:
As more species face extinction zoos need to optimise their effectiveness as conservation organisations. Some zoos continue to create a network of conservation partners worldwide. These will help zoo research, education and conservation breeding activities. It will also help fundraising and awareness opportunities to contribute to conservation activities in the wild.
Links between conservation in the zoo and in the wild is reflected through developments. “Enclosures create the best possible environment for animal welfare and visitor’s enjoyment whilst providing a showcase for conservation: raising awareness and support for conservation issues and activities in the wild Zoos have changed considerably over the years.” the changes occurring now are possibly the most exciting yet. Zoos are helping to protect threatened species and are playing an increasingly significant role in international conservation.
The visitors and supporters of zoos directly fund the conservation work that they are involved in.
(http://www.chesterzoo.co.uk/conservation.asp?Page=143)
Conclution
If treated corredtly and kept in similar conditions as what a wild elephant would live in. By raising awarness and support, I believe that keeping elephants in zoos and sarfari parks plays an important part in conserving them.
On the other hand I think forcing elephants to perform tricks is apauling and therefore do not agree with keeping them in circuses for our benefit only.
Bibliography
During this project the main source I have used is the internet. The sites include
- http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-afelephant.cfm
- http://www.chesterzoo.co.uk/conservation.asp?Page=143
- http://www.chesterzoo.co.uk/conservation.asp
- Baze, W. (1955) Just Elephants, translated from the French by H.M. Burton. Elek books, London.
- http://www.greatdreams.com/eeyore/elecruel.htm
- http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/AfricanSavanna/fact-afelephant.cfm
- http://www.fightback4elephants.com/
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/chat/your_comments/newsid_2352000/2352807.stm
Contense
The African elephant
Keeping Elephants in Captive does not help conserve them
Keeping Elephants in zoos plays an important part of conserving them
Conclution
Bibliography
