Elephant Captivity in Zoos and Safari Parks to be Banned Amid Mental Health Concerns

According to a Daily Mail report, a ban on keeping elephants in zoos and safari parks is set to be introduced due to concerns about their mental well-being in captivity.

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The new legislation will prevent the import of additional elephants, allowing the existing population to decrease as the animals pass away naturally gradually.

Environment Minister Zac Goldsmith’s decision is expected to be welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie, an advocate for elephant welfare. Activists have long claimed that these brilliant animals experience mental illness in captivity.

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The legislation will prohibit the importation of any new elephants, and the existing population will be allowed to die out naturally. Source: Daily Mail

Moreover, elephants often face health issues such as arthritis in zoos and have a significantly shorter lifespan—17 years on average—compared to over 50 years in the wild.

The upcoming legislation will end a tradition of keeping elephants in captivity in Britain that dates back to 1255. A government report on the welfare of captive elephants is expected to support the argument against saving them in zoos.

As part of broader zoo reforms under the Kept Animals Bill, the use of animals exclusively for entertainment purposes will be phased out. Mark Jones of the charity Born Free commented that elephants, wide-ranging and socially complex animals, do not belong in zoos.

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The Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation has been actively campaigning for an end to keeping elephants in captivity. Lorraine Platt, chairman of the foundation, stressed the importance of allowing elephants to roam freely in large spaces and maintain their close-knit family groups.

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The move by environment minister Zac Goldsmith (right) is likely to delight Boris Johnson’s wife, Carrie (left, campaigning together in 2017), who is a champion of elephant welfare. Source: Daily Mail

Public concern about the treatment of captive elephants intensified in 2011 when footage emerged of Anne, the last circus elephant in Britain, shackled in a barn. Daily Mail readers subsequently raised £410,000 to fund Anne’s retirement in a state-of-the-art enclosure at Longleat.

Currently, 51 elephants reside in 11 zoos across the UK, with circus elephants having been banned since January 2020. In the wild, elephants live in large herds and have intricate social lives, often migrating hundreds of miles annually.

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Carrie Johnson, the Prime Minister’s wife, serves as the head of communications for the Aspinall Foundation, an organization that works in partnership with two conservation zoos.


Read more Elephant News.

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Canidae Pet Food Reviews: An In-Depth Look

Choosing the right pet food is crucial for the health and well-being of our furry friends. In this blog post, we'll delve deep into Canidae pet food, a popular choice among pet owners, and provide an in-depth review based on various sources.

Canidae is a well-known brand in the pet food industry, offering a range of products designed to cater to pets of all ages, breeds, and sizes.

Product Range:

  • Canidae All-Life Stages (Dry): This vet-formulated product suits dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes. It's available in both dry and wet formulas.
  •  Canidae Pure: A limited-ingredient diet crafted for dogs with food sensitivities. Each recipe typically includes 7 to 10 ingredients.

Key Ingredients

The Canidae All Life Stages Multi Protein Formula, which represents the brand's product line, contains ingredients like chicken meal, turkey meal, brown rice, peas, oatmeal, and barley. Chicken meal, the primary ingredient, is a meat concentrate with nearly 300% more protein than fresh chicken.

Recalls and Safety

Canidae has had recalls in the past. It's essential to stay updated with the brand's recall history to ensure your pet's safety.

Customer Reviews

The Canidae Dog Food product line has earned an overall rating of 4.5 stars from The Dog Food Advisor. The Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food has received the Advisor's second-highest tier rating of 4.5 stars.

Pros and Cons:

  • Pros: High protein content, suitable for all life stages, contains beneficial ingredients like flaxseed and taurine.
  •  Cons: It contains some controversial ingredients, and not all minerals are chelated, which might affect absorption.

Conclusion

Canidae All Life Stages is a grain-inclusive dry dog food that uses a notable amount of named meat meals as its primary source of animal protein. With an above-average protein content and a profile suggesting a significant amount of meat, it comes highly recommended for pet owners.