ELEPHANTS SUFFER FROM ZOO-KEEPING

A study recently showed that elephants who live in captivity live significantly shorter lives than those in the wild.

Is this really that shocking? I guess seeing it in numbers makes it more real.

The lifespan of African elephants in the wild is approximately 56 years; elephants kept in zoos live a mere 19.

Mortality rates of Asian elephants born in zoos are 2-3% higher than if born in nature.

Is this wrong? Completely!

Many scientists suggest that the living environments in zoos aren't large enough and their diet is not healthily balanced, which causes extreme stress in the animals day to day life.

Ross Clubb from the Britains Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals states "The vast majority are overweight in zoos, this could explain the high still-birth rates and why they're dying early. Bigger mothers have bigger calves and more of these are still-born."

This is so sick. If zoos cannot properly care for their animals then they should not take on the challenge of keeping them.

While zoos are very educational places where children and adults alike can come and enjoy the beauty of nature's living creations, they should be treated as such. The fact is: animals are animals. They are not pets, they are not a form of entertainment. Sadly, they do not have the right to obtain what is right for them if humans feel they don't need to.They need to live in the wild, and if we are going to deny them this access then we absolutely have to make sure they lead healthy and active lives in their unnatural locations.

We, as the most advanced species in our world, need to accept that we are not the end of the line in evolution. We need to respect our planet and all the living things that reside on it alongside us.

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