2009 IDA Worst Zoos for elephants

Sorry, ANYhuis, but that`s what zoos do, putting wild animals in captivity and taking their freedom away from them. I am NOT against zoos, and I think it`s ethically ok to keep wild animals in captivity, under the condition that their welfare comes first and is ALWAYS the TOP priority. This is what we owe them for taking their freedom away so that humans can see and enjoy them. And I have seen far too many things in zoos to blindly believe that zoos always fulfill that duty (and I have met a lot of frustrated zoo professionals who think the same!!). No, they don`t, many decisions are made that are against the wellbeing of zoo animals, and millions of dollars are wasted on enclosures that are still not satisfying the animal`s needs, but just look nice for the visitors. Elephants are a great example for that and their situation is especially bad in (still far too) many zoos, in Europe and in the US. Much has changed but we`re still far, far from where I want to see zoos. You just need to realise that the AZA still says having herds of 3 females is fine - NO that`s NOT!! Female eles are such complex animals that they need much bigger, complex groups. But the AZA still allows that at least half of all ele keeping zoos have just 2 females, and the AZA allows them to keep "widow" females alone for many months and in case of Dallas and San Antonio, in totally inadequate enclosures. The AZA is not aggressivly tackling this and many other problems, because that would mean that many zoos would loose their crowd-pullers, and I am actually thankful that outside organisations are putting pressure on zoos to improve. I am very aware that IDA/Peta are against zoos at all, but am very confident that this idea is not supported by enough people to bring zoos in danger.
 
I see that Yassa, BlackRhino, Taun and Dan all agree with my statement, and so thank you for the acknowledgement from the four of you. I pointed out that the IDA list features a few zoos that obviously should not have made the ten worst list, but at the same time there are some other zoos that have shocking records and thus most definitely deserve to be there. I'm just glad that in the last few years zoos such as North Carolina, Indianapolis and Oakland (amongst a few others) have built absolutely outstanding elephant habitats that are many acres in size. If the IDA list somehow forces zoos to rethink their position on elephants and build fantastic exhibits then that is fabulous news for the zoo industry, zoo visitors and of course the elephants themselves.
 
But the point that Anyhuis is trying to make is in my opinion a good, IDA has ZERO interest in improving zoos, only closing them, therefore to listen to their list is legitimizing their argument.
 
Ituri said:
But the point that Anyhuis is trying to make is in my opinion a good, IDA has ZERO interest in improving zoos, only closing them, therefore to listen to their list is legitimizing their argument.
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True but if a zoo is not filling the animals welfare needs (Ok I agree we cannot completely full fill their needs but can satisfy most), then why should we keep them in captivity?

You wouldn't let a domestic pet suffer, why let in some cases more intelligent animals suffer?

I have not seen the elephant enclosures, but have seen my fair share of horrible enclosures in the UK to know that fancy guest areas don't sort out welfare issues.
 
Here in sydney we've had a lot of up roar about our elephants being here and so on, normal story. I do feel as a zookeeper, it is wrong to produce a 10 worst list based on history, management and enclosure as every zoo has its flaws for every animal they keep. The fact remains a zoo is not the wild and we do our best to make the animals feel at home. Whether its elephants or skinks the problems are the same. I don't feel that anyone who can make a 10 worst list of any animals at a zoo actually is able to grasp the larger issues, and i don't think any zoo protestors understand conservation at all. I make that point backed up with personal experience and knowledge, i'm not shooting blind. If you want to judge on exhibit, Taronga had one of the most barren black rhino enclosures at first yet became the first zoo in the world to maintain a good captive breeding herd due to management. Lowry park may have a wonderful enclosure however may have some management flaws, i don't know, and if it was judged on history every zoo would be a contender. I think its pointless and fails to see the issue
 
I don't knownhow to quote maybe someone can help me.

But following Blackrhino's point on the St. Louis zoo. I visted this this zoo over the summer and even though thier elephant exhibit may not be the greatest I consider it to be in the top three I have visted. What hate most IDA's evauluation of exhibit is based mostly on a miscarriage!!! Please do they believe that elephants don't have those happen to them in the wild! Just beacause she had misscarriage is not a valid point at all!
 
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I found out that IDA was protesting at the LA zoo today. I think the final decision on the elephant exhibit will come on the 16th of January, so IDA is doing everything possible to win. The LA zoo also had people outside the zoo trying to counter attack IDA.
 
Were winning this by 0 percent,we have it in the bag
 
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