Elephants in Captive Environments

ABTA ANIMAL WELFARE GUIDELINES

SPECIFIC GUIDANCE MANUAL

Welcome to the online version of this Best Practice Handbook. Use the interactive navigation to guide your way through the manual.

Enter now ©2013 ABTA Introduction Animal attractions and experiences are now a common part of holiday destinations and are Intended use of this guidance generally very popular with holiday makers. Customer surveys have shown many of the travelling public aspire to see or interact with animals. Yet research and experience also demonstrate that customers want to be assured of good animal welfare standards (YouGov 2012). This guidance manual is one of a series of seven manuals intended to be a This guidance manual outlines the minimum requirements that travel providers working with practical guide for the suppliers of animal experiences and attractions offered these manuals expect to see in place from captive elephant attractions. Additionally, it provides best practice recommendations that captive elephant attractions should strive to achieve. within the tourism industry. All seven guidance manuals aim to encourage good practice in animal protection and welfare by providing businesses with As the number of enterprises has grown, so too has our understanding of the animals featured and the potential impacts of human/animal interaction. Strong relationships exist between knowledge and guidance. travel providers and suppliers; it is important that all stakeholders work collectively to enable enterprises to offer meaningful, rewarding experiences to customers whilst at the same time, The manuals include a benchmark for best Guidance manual overview safeguarding the welfare of the animals and public health and safety. This approach can achieve practice in animal welfare for the tourism and longer-term business success, raise welfare standards across the industry and strengthen the animal attractions industries globally. They There are seven manuals within the series: partnerships that exist between travel providers and animal related attractions. consolidate an abundance of existing guidance and they establish minimum requirements Global Welfare Guidance for This document is one of a series and should be read in conjunction with the Global Welfare that are supported by travel providers. As Animals in Tourism Guidance for Animals in Tourism. such, they are intended for travel providers to The Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in issue to their suppliers, for tourist boards in Tourism provides an introduction to animal Authorship destinations, for destination governments and welfare and an overview of best practice that This manual and the supporting six guidance manuals have been developed by ABTA working ultimately and most importantly, for animal is applicable to all businesses and attractions in partnership with our consultative partner, the Born Free Foundation and have been further attraction and experience suppliers. within the tourism industry involving animals. It covers: developed through a multi-stakeholder consultation process involving industry experts, scientists, All seven manuals are by no means intended zoologist organisations, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from around to be the definitive source of information • An insight into the different ways in the world. A list of stakeholders is included in Appendix 2: Acknowledgements. It is important to about managing animal welfare considerations which animals and tourism are linked point out that the content of these manuals does not necessarily reflect the exact views of the in animal attractions. We recognise that • Minimum welfare requirements for listed individuals or organisations. All stakeholders have, however, seen merit in these guidance there is a great deal of variation in available animal attractions manuals and provided invaluable input during the consultation. ABTA extends its appreciation to standards around the world and that for all the stakeholders for their contributions. many businesses the manuals will contain • Reference to specific welfare needs commonly known information, but for others of commonly managed species. Licensing and certification they will likely serve as a useful reference It sets out guidance around animal husbandry regarding best practice for animal welfare. and care designed to improve animal welfare Animal attractions should be operating legally and in accordance with their country’s own legal In all instances of uncertainty, we encourage and to phase out inappropriate practices requirements. If appropriate to the country of operation, the animal attraction should have a suppliers to seek further advice from a suitably known to have negative impacts on animals. valid operating licence issued by a recognised certification agency or relevant local authority. qualified individual or organisation.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Specific guidance manuals Unacceptable and Certain activities involving animals and In addition, five specific guidance manuals Discouraged Practices customers have been publicly criticised as Key points cover a variety of activities commonly detrimental to animal welfare. Though there is currently a lack of conclusive evidence, there encountered through tourism. These manuals The final manual in the series relates to is a risk that such activities are detrimental • Unacceptable practices are are intended to guide suppliers to achieve the practices involving animals which have to welfare. We have therefore classified these known to have a detrimental minimum requirements for each of the specific been classified as either unacceptable or activities as ‘discouraged’. effect on animal welfare. activity types, besides encouraging progress discouraged by the travel providers working towards the best practice outlined. with these guidance manuals. All discouraged activities are introduced in • Discouraged practices may this manual (see page 13) and more details pose a risk to tourist health Specific guidance is available for: Unacceptable practices are in the specific manual, Unacceptable and and safety and/or a possible • Animals in Captive Environments Certain activities are widely recognised Discouraged Practices. risk to animal welfare. • Dolphins in Captive Environments as having a detrimental impact on animal • Animal attractions welfare, and in some cases, may present a Minimum requirements and best should comply with the • Elephants in Captive Environments high risk to visitor and staff safety. These practice guidelines minimum requirements • Wildlife Viewing activities have therefore been classified as for animal welfare. ‘unacceptable’. Travel providers working with • Working Animals. This and the other six guidance manuals • We encourage animal these guidance manuals have agreed that contain a set of minimum requirements This specific guide is for Elephants in attractions to aim for best these activities should not be offered for sale intended to be the benchmark for the Captive Environments and covers minimum practice in animal welfare. to customers. minimum acceptable level of animal welfare requirements expected by travel providers • All seven manuals are in tourism activities. As a supplier reading working with this manual. It also provides Discouraged practices compatible with audited these manuals, you are strongly advised to best practice guidance that suppliers of Some activities involving animals and people industry standards. ensure that you can easily demonstrate that captive elephant attractions are encouraged may pose health and safety risks. Suppliers your business complies with the minimum to achieve. of activities involving animals and people requirements. Travel providers working with should consider and effectively manage both these manuals have committed to these Audits and inspections the welfare of the animals and the health and minimum requirements and will be developing safety of visitors and staff. Travel providers procedures to check that suppliers comply We recognise that many animal attraction working with these guidance manuals will only and are continually striving for performance suppliers are members of trade bodies and consider promoting animal based activities improvements. These manuals contain associations that already have membership which are classified as discouraged practices examples of realistic and achievable best requirements relating to animal welfare best where they are satisfied that the risks to practice guidelines for animal welfare in practice and that many inspect their members animal welfare and the health and safety of tourism-related attractions and activities. to ensure these requirements are met. customers are managed appropriately. The Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism upholds internationally-accepted standards in animal welfare and legislation and is therefore compatible with existing industry standards. Audited suppliers should be able to demonstrate compliance with these minimum requirements.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Use the interactive coloured tabs on the this page to navigate the manual.

SECTION ONE: What is animal welfare?

SECTION TWO: Elephant species overview

Potential impacts – animal welfare, species SECTION THREE: conservation and customer health and safety

SECTION FOUR: Potential impacts – capture, training, keeping and chaining of elephants

SECTION FIVE: Minimum requirements

SECTION SIX: Examples of best practice – quick reference table

Managing the impacts of tourism SECTION SEVEN: on elephants in captive environments

SECTION EIGHT: Supporting information

APPENDICES

SECTION 1 2 Table 1: The Five Freedoms and how they relate to the Welfare Quality® 3 What is animal welfare? criteria (including the additional criteria)

Five Freedoms Welfare quality® criteria

Good feeding 1. Absence of prolonged hunger. 2. Absence of prolonged thirst.

Good housing 3. Comfort while resting. 4. Thermal comfort. Animal welfare refers to the state of an animal. An animal is in a reasonable 5. Ease of movement. state of welfare if it is healthy, comfortable, well-nourished, safe, able to express innate behaviour and if it is not suffering from unpleasant states such as pain, Good health 6. Absence of injuries. 7. Absence of disease. fear and distress. Other terms such as animal care, husbandry or humane 8. Absence of pain induced by inappropriate management procedures. treatment refer to how an animal is looked after. Reasonable animal welfare requires disease prevention and veterinary treatment, appropriate shelter, Appropriate behaviour 9. Expression of social behaviours. 10. Expression of natural behaviours. management, nutrition, humane handling and humane slaughter/euthanasia. 11. Good human-animal relationship. Animals in a captive environment rely on the care and ability of humans to 12. Positive emotional state. provide them with what they need to maintain their welfare. Protection from 13. Absence of general fear/distress/apathy. fear and distress 14. Ability to seek privacy/refuge. 15. Absence of surgical or physical modification of the skin, tissues, teeth or Appropriate animal care bone structure other than for the purposes of genuine medical treatment/ manipulation/sedation. In order to encourage best practice in animal welfare in the tourism supply chain, the KEY POINTS Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism Suppliers, animal owners and keepers have Application of and adherence to the Welfare and the six supporting guidance manuals • You are responsible for an animal a responsibility to the animals for which they Quality® criteria will go some way to build upon the principles of the Five Freedoms if you supply, own or are in charge are responsible on a permanent or temporary safeguarding the welfare of the animal and (developed by the Farm Animal Welfare of it. basis. This includes the provision of their to providing a state of wellbeing and dignity. Council (FAWC 1979)) and the Welfare • Five Freedoms form the basis of health and welfare needs (described in Table Application of the Global Welfare Guidance Quality® criteria. See Appendix 1: sources good animal welfare. 1). A person could, therefore, be responsible for Animals in Tourism and the six supporting of further information. for an animal if they supply, own, or are in manuals will seek to uphold these criteria, • Welfare Quality® criteria define charge of it. protect animals in tourism attractions or The Welfare Quality® criteria were originally the details of good animal welfare. affected by tourism experiences, and help developed for farmed domestic animals. An to prevent animal suffering. additional three criteria have been included to address animals in tourism. These additional criteria appear in bold in Table 1.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA two Elephant species overview two Elephant species overview

SECTION 2 The range of activities Elephant species overview involving elephants

4 Elephant-based tourism falls into two broad 5 categories with occasional overlap: • Visitors wishing to see elephants in the wild going about their lives in their natural habitat • Visitors wishing to see and often interact with captive elephants in zoos, sanctuaries, orphanages, elephant camps, temples, The elephant is the largest land mammal, highly intelligent, social and festivals, circuses, logging camps, roadside charismatic. Fifty countries have wild elephant populations – 37 in Africa and and beach photo opportunities and elephant back safaris (the last of which may 13 in Asia – though in some countries the populations have declined significantly Asian elephants are still used in cultural involve viewing other elephants in the wild). and only handfuls of individual animals are believed to still exist in the wild. and religious settings. In Asia, captive elephants are still widely used in cultural and religious settings Species variation Social structures and lifespan in whose origins date back thousands of years. the wild Historically, elephants have been regarded African elephants as a status symbol and a prestigious gift as Key points There are two species of African elephants: Elephants in nature live in a complex, multi- well as being used for transport and physical the forest elephant of Central and West Africa layered, matriarchal society comprised of labour. Elephants also have a special role (Loxodonta cyclotis) and the bush or savannah family units of related females and offspring; within the Buddhist religion, being kept at • Both African and Asian elephant (Loxodonta africana). a parallel hierarchy of males compete for some temples and used in religious events elephants are classified as dominance and the attentions of receptive (e.g. Sri Lanka’s Perahera). threatened species according Asian elephants females. Elephants live for up to 70 years and to the IUCN. In Africa, elephants were until recently only reach sexual maturity in their teens, which In Asia, there is one species (Elephas maximus) viewed in the wild. However in a very small • Elephants in nature live in means social groups often consist of three or but at least four sub-species are recognised: number of countries, African elephants are a complex, multi-layered, more generations. Grandparents can pass their Mainland, Sri Lankan, Sumatran and the Bornean now trained to provide transportation for matriarchal society. knowledge on to generations. For instance, sub-species sometimes called pygmy elephants. tourists on elephant back safaris to view • Elephant-based tourism while a mother can teach the location of day- wildlife. More commonly, wild elephants includes viewing wild elephants Both African and Asian elephants are classified as to-day foraging, drinking and bathing sites are viewed from lodges, viewing platforms, and viewing or interacting with threatened species according to the International to their young, if there is a once-in-50-years bunkers, vehicles, boats, hot-air balloons and, captive elephants. Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). drought, it is the oldest members of the herd in a few places, on foot. Guidelines on each who will remember how to survive. • In Asia, captive elephants activity follow. feature in traditional cultural This manual covers the range of activities set and religious events. out above. For guidance about the viewing • In Africa, elephants are viewed of elephants in the wild, refer to the Wildlife in the wild, including on Viewing manual. elephant back safaris.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA three Potential impacts – animal welfare, species conservation and customer health and safety three Potential impacts – animal welfare, species conservation and customer health and safety

SECTION 3 Many countries have categorised commonly Potential impacts – animal kept animal species by their ability to cause harm; based on this categorisation they Key points then restrict, control or prohibit human/ welfare, species conservation animal contact. For example, in the UK the • For wild elephants, tourism Department for Environment, Food and Rural can be a force for good; it can 6 and customer health and safety Affairs (Defra), has produced a species list reduce illegal activities and 7 based on 3 risk categories. income can fund conservation. For animal specific categorisation based on • Irresponsible behaviour the Defra species list, please refer to Appendix by tourists and guides can 1: animal husbandry information tables in damage elephant welfare and In both wild and captive environments, elephants can benefit from tourism Section 13 of the Global Welfare Guidance risk public health and safety. revenues that help to fund their care, and more broadly, fund elephant for Animals in Tourism. • The commercial value of conservation. However when elephant attractions generate profits, there is Elephants are categorised as a Category 1 – keeping and exhibiting a risk of economic considerations taking priority. In captive environments, Greatest Risk and therefore direct contact elephants should never outweigh their welfare. negative welfare impacts most commonly occur when the commercial value of should be subject to a risk assessment. Travel providers working with these • Elephants are categorised as keeping and exhibiting animals outweigh considerations aimed at safeguarding guidance manuals will only consider offering ‘Greatest Risk’; direct human- their welfare. animal-based activities where they are animal contact should be subject satisfied that the risks to animal welfare to stringent risk assessment. Activities such as assisting elephants to bathe Potential impacts on and the health and safety of customers are are sought after by tourists but they can lead customer health and safety managed appropriately. to negative welfare impacts, such as elephants forced to lie in a river for hours at a time Customers should be informed of the Where elephants are in captive environments, potential risks and the rules of engagement. whilst paying tourists bathe them. Bottle- a suitable living environment is vital for feeding baby elephants is equally popular For example, their behaviour and washing the health and survival of the elephants. their hands before and after permitted with tourists. However, the revenue generated Animals, whether wild or domestic, can be may encourage some owners or keepers animal contact to prevent disease unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Even transmission (zoonoses). to continue bottle-feeding beyond normal in a controlled, captive environment or after weaning age (calves are totally dependent generations of captive breeding, an animal For further information about common upon their mothers for nutrition up to five retains its innate behaviour and instinct. zoonoses, see Appendix 2 of the Global years old; at ten years old, young elephants Suppliers of activities involving animals and Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism. become completely dependent on solid people should take all reasonable steps to vegetation). It may even encourage owners or safeguard the health and safety of visitors keepers to take infant elephants away from and staff, as well as the animals themselves. their mothers specifically for bottle-feeding. Tourism can be good for wild elephants, reducing illegal Additionally, there are known instances where activity and funding conservation. elephants have been worked when they are ill.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA four Potential impacts – capture, training, keeping and chaining of elephants four Potential impacts – capture, training, keeping and chaining of elephants

SECTION 4 The vast majority of animal trainers who are It is worth noting that whilst trained elephants Potential impacts – capture, informed about welfare issues agree that by are often referred to as domestic, this is not using protected contact (in which trainer accurate. Domestic animals, such as pet dogs and elephant do not share the same space), and cats, livestock such as cows, sheep and training, keeping and chaining an elephant can be trained without cruelty pigs and other species such as horses, have and with kindness and respect. In protected been selectively bred in captivity over many contact the elephant learns to respond to generations and have adapted (at least to of elephants verbal commands only through positive some extent) to the roles they are required to reinforcement. Therefore, if an elephant does perform. Whilst elephants do sometimes breed 8 not want to cooperate it is free not to and successfully in captivity, this has never been 9 will not suffer any repercussions. On the other sufficient to maintain a captive population Capture hand, training through free contact (in which and on-going capture of wild individuals has elephant and trainer share the same space) always been necessary to supplement the Traditionally elephants have been captured should employ some level of direct control. captive stock. Hence the species has never from the wild using techniques targeting Clearly, elephants cared for under a protected been truly domesticated. Whether born in young elephants. Traditional practices have contact regime cannot be trained for any the wild or in captivity, all elephants are been superseded by helicopters, vehicles and activity that involves direct contact between essentially, wild animals. the use of guns, with adult elephants often humans and elephants. Keeping and chaining killed or injured as they defend their young. In most traditional elephant training systems, the use of the ankus is integral. The ankus is Though capture of wild elephants is outlawed Chaining is commonplace in the keeping of a sturdy stick usually with two metal spikes in India and South Africa, enforcement of elephants. Modern best practice seeks to Training through protected contact means the trainer on the end, one pointing straight forward and legislation can be ineffective at times. In reduce the amount of time that elephants and elephant do not share the same space. one curved around to form a hook. Typically other areas where elephants exist in the wild, are chained to an absolute minimum, if at the ankus is used from the earliest stages capture of wild elephants for use in captive Training all. In the responsible zoo community strict of training and throughout the lifetime of attractions and facilities is known to occur. guidelines exist regarding chaining so that the animal, whenever it is being given any Traditional training techniques from some this practice is eliminated or reduced to a A challenge also exists around elephant directions. Often mahouts or keepers will Asian countries are now being adopted in maximum of a few hours per day, or so that camps, sanctuaries and orphanages, which claim that the ankus is used only as a guide Africa to train or break in African wild-caught elephants are only chained in exceptional take in elephants in exchange for money to communicate instructions to the elephant, elephants. These practices include solitary circumstances (such as under the direction paid to mahouts supposedly on the basis of and in some cases that may appear to be the confinement, food deprivation, restraining of a suitably qualified vet). In Asia there are conservation and welfare. In some instances, case. However, the elephant’s knowledge of the elephant with ropes and winches and few enclosures outside zoos that can securely this has led the mahout to capture a the ability of the ankus to inflict pain seems use of an ankus (bull-hook) or electric cattle contain adult elephants, so when individuals replacement elephant once they have traded to be integral to its effectiveness – both in prod. The methods continue until the animal are not under the direct control of a mahout in the other animal. Increasingly, elephant the case of early training experiences and becomes submissive and compliant. or keeper it is normal that they are restrained attractions will look to incorporate both the correction for older animals. Often the ankus by chaining, which may be for long periods. elephants and the mahouts, which avoids the Once the keeper establishes dominance, it is placed on sensitive areas such as the back Chaining is also the usual practice in Asia for mahout capturing a replacement animal and is maintained through a delicate balance of of the legs or behind the ears, where a subtle restraining bull elephants when they are in can also demonstrate a livelihoods approach fear and reward. If the elephant is compliant increase in pressure can cause significant musth. Musth is a natural periodic condition towards improved elephant conservation. it receives treats. If it is non-compliant it discomfort and pain. of heightened levels of reproductive hormones By providing the mahout with a means to may receive physical or verbal punishment. in male elephants and accompanied by continue to make a living without having to The training methods used can physically, heightened aggression. capture another elephant, conservation of behaviourally, psychologically and emotionally elephants can be improved. harm the elephants.

It occurs approximately annually in adult male elephants (of all species) and in the wild it can last for anything from a few weeks to several months (in captivity musth can last considerably longer). During musth captive elephants can become much more difficult to manage and control, and it is not uncommon for them to be chained by three legs, 24 hours a day, for the entire period. Excessive 10 chaining can be physically and psychologically 11 detrimental to elephant welfare. Elephants are active, inquisitive and intelligent animals and, therefore, are likely to suffer severe stress while chained. Physically, the effects of straining against chains can create wounds on legs and ankles, visible either as white scars running horizontally across the ankle or lower leg, or as open wounds. During musth, bull Chaining of elephants should be avoided where possible. Where chaining is conducted, it should be kept to an elephants are ideally housed in an appropriate absolute minimum. enclosure that provides the unchained animal with sufficient quantity and quality of space. See information in Animals in Key points Captive Environments. In elephant keeping, protected contact • Capture of wild elephants (defined above) has replaced the hands- continues despite it being on, free contact approach. Physical contact outlawed in India and between the keeper and elephant is kept to South Africa. an absolute minimum and a physical barrier • Elephant camps, sanctuaries always separates the keeper and elephant. and orphanages should adopt mahouts and their families in addition to elephants to avoid mahouts capturing replacement elephants from the wild. • Modern best practice aims to reduce the time that elephants are chained to an absolute minimum, if at all. • Protected contact and positive reinforcement are preferable to free contact and traditional training methods.

SECTION 5 7. There is a policy not to surgically modify B. Additional minimum requirements Minimum requirements the skin, tissues, teeth or bone structure for businesses with working animals of animals, and not to sedate animals to make them safe to handle, unless it is for 1. Tethering and hobbling should be discouraged the purpose of genuine medical treatment and where unavoidable should only be under the guidance of an appropriately conducted using appropriate materials trained vet. and methods that do not cause risk to the 8. Where customers are permitted to be animal’s welfare. Tethering should be for a photographed with animals, this should limited time of no more than a few hours per be free from evidence of bad practice. day. The animals should be able to walk, lie It is expected that all tourism businesses that keep, own or manage animals, For more info see the guidance manual, down and stand up without putting tension Unacceptable and Discouraged Practices. on the tether, and reach basic resources like 12 or provide experiences involving animals (including visiting animal attractions food, water and shade. Tethered animals 13 such as hotel entertainment programmes), ensure that they meet the minimum 9. Complete, accurate animal stocklists, should be regularly monitored. veterinary records and any appropriate requirements in the husbandry and care of animals. Travel providers working licences or permits should be up-to-date 2. Young, pregnant, nursing, injured, ill, with these guidelines will be developing processes to assess suppliers against and available for inspection. The required distressed or elderly animals should not be the minimum requirements listed below. paperwork should be in place for any ridden, or be required to carry/pull loads. animals which have been acquired from Equids (hoofed mammals) should not be worked before they are three years old; The minimum requirements are subdivided 3. In captivity, enclosures (including pools) the wild. camels should not be ridden before four into three sets, the following two of which are or methods used to contain the animals for 10. Where animals are involved in years. Weaning should not be conducted for applicable to captive elephant attractions: temporary periods allow all the animals to performances these should only involve horses, donkey and mules before six months; move and exercise freely, and to maintain A. For all situations where animals are natural behaviours and be free from bad preferably it should be allowed to occur sufficient distance from other animals in managed by and/or are dependent practice. Training methods should be based naturally. Weaning for camels should not be case of conflict. on human beings. on positive reinforcement only. conducted before four months; preferably, it 4. In captivity, enclosures are environmentally should be allowed to occur naturally. B. Specifically for businesses with complex, including natural substrate, working animals. 3. Equipment should fit, not causing injury, furniture, shelter and environmental and should be cleaned and dried after use. enrichment, in order to encourage normal/ A. Minimum requirements for Equipment should be removed during rest natural behaviour. All animals should be periods and ideally when eating/drinking. animals managed and/or dependent able to seek shelter from extreme weather upon human beings conditions and privacy from view. 4. Animals should train and work within their physical capabilities. Loads should be 5. In captivity, enclosures are clean, hygienic 1. All animals have regular, daily access equivalent to the animal’s size and ability and well maintained, (e.g. devoid of to adequate and clean drinking water in (e.g. not more than one person on an excessive faeces, urine or rotting food, line with their species specific needs. equine or camel), work should not be in the potentially harmful litter, not waterlogged, hottest part of the day and animals should 2. All animals are fed appropriate food not infested with vermin etc.). (which includes necessary supplements have regular rest periods each day of at for animals in captivity), via an appropriate 6. The facility employs a vet who is least an hour between working periods. feeding routine, which mentally stimulates the knowledgeable and experienced in the health Elephant performances should not involve elephants animal(s) and encourages natural behaviour and welfare of the relevant animals (either performing non-natural behaviours. (e.g. foraging, browsing, grazing etc.). employed on site or externally contracted).

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA six EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTIVE – QUICK REFERENCE TABLE six EXAMPLES OF BEST PRACTIVE – QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

SECTION 6 Examples of best practice – Five Freedoms Examples of bad practice Best practice

1. Good feeding • Insufficient provision of water; provision • Continual access to clean, fresh water. quick reference table of dirty water. • Nutritious food hygienically prepared. • Poor quality; spoiled food; Including grasses, herbs and browse. inappropriate food. • Food provided throughout the day. • Insufficient quantity of food, which is dependent on age, sex and condition. • Substrate food should be kept clean and dry and not allowed to mix with excreta. • Unregulated, unmonitored consumption. • Monitor consumption and supplements The following table provides a basic guide to the needs and natural attributes • No provision of an environmental added (advised by a trained nutritionist enrichment programme using food. or veterinarian). and behaviour of elephants, based on the Five Freedoms. These needs should • Feeding animals alone. • Monitor levels of a-tocopherol to ensure be understood and implemented by suppliers to ensure that negative impacts elephants are obtaining adequate dietary vitamin E. 14 are minimised or eliminated. 15 • Environmental enrichment programme using feeding devices that encourage natural behaviour e.g. hiding food in crevices, barrel feeders, tree branches etc.

• Feeding should take place in groups to help establish better social interaction.

• Animals of 55+ years may find chewing difficult. Long-fibrous food should be added to daily diet to aid digestion.

Wild elephant family.

Five Freedoms Examples of bad practice Best practice Five Freedoms Examples of bad practice Best practice

2. Good housing • Cramped conditions, excessive chaining • Large housing area with varied topography to 3. Good health • Veterinarian unavailable or not trained in • On-site or contracted veterinary surgeon, (longer than a few hours per day), or permit and encourage all animals to exercise. elephant health and welfare. knowledgeable and experienced in the health restriction of movement. and welfare of captive elephants. • Access to both indoor and outdoor • Signs of malnutrition, or extreme weight loss • No access to outdoors, shade, shelter from enclosures. Ability to seek shelter, warmth, with protruding skeleton. • Clear and bright eyes (no eye discharge, adverse weather conditions and privacy. shade, privacy, and social interaction with pus or foreign body). Bright pink coloured other elephants. • Observed open wounds, or scar tissue from mucous membrane in oral cavity, tongue, • No access to bathing facilities, dust baths. old wounds (white or grey skin patches), skin nostrils (tip of trunk), anus and vulva. • Access to bathing facilities (large enough rashes, or noticeable discharge from eyes. • Housed only on concrete flooring. for all animals and deep enough for full Overgrown nails. • Skin should be dry and wrinkled with no immersion of an adult lying on its side). parasites, wounds or rashes. • No ability to control temperature and • Lethargic behaviour, reluctance to eat or ventilation in indoor facilities. • Ground substrate of outdoor enclosure drink, or no interaction with conspecifics. • Normal eating in terms of quantity and should be natural (e.g. earth, grass) and frequency of food intake. Shows interest in • High noise levels: adjacent to amusement • No hygiene protocol ensuring regular rides, sound or public announcement system. varied, e.g. non-compacted sand or soil for the surrounding environment. dust bathing, mud wallow, rocks, and tree- cleaning of the facilities and appropriate 16 • Insufficient environmental enrichment. stumps or similar structures for rubbing. staff conduct. • Hygiene protocol that include staff training. 17 • Indoor facilities should be of a sufficient size • Infrequent health checks and insufficient • Regular health checks, daily supervision and to allow the elephants to move freely (with daily reporting on individual animals. reports maintained for individual animals. separation facilities to allow veterinary and • Discolouration or blood in urine, worms • Normal urination (colourless to straw colour behavioural management). or flukes can be seen in faeces. and should not contain blood or pus; flow should be continuous). • Indoor flooring should be impermeable to • Repetitive abnormal (stereotypic) water, non-slip and quick drying (standing behaviour, such as pacing, circling, • Normal defecation – 10 to 12 times per day. water can cause foot problems) but provides head-bobbing, or weaving. Watery faeces can be a sign of indigestion, warmth and comfort if the animals lie down parasitic infection or high water/sugar (e.g. sand, rubberised coating). content in food. • Minimum indoor temperature of 15°C and • Absence of negative welfare indicators an area capable of being maintained at 21°C (see Section 7, Captive environments). (minimum required for sick animals).

• Good ventilation, natural lighting and graduation lighting (never keeping the animals in total darkness).

• Ceilings, plumbing and all electrical installations out of reach.

Five Freedoms Examples of bad practice Best practice Five Freedoms Examples of bad practice Best practice

4. Appropriate • Housed alone (unless under the direction • Ideally housed in a social structure of the 5. Protection from • Heightened fear, no ability to seek refuge, • Interaction rigorously limited: exercise behaviour of a veterinarian). same species, mixed sex and age (mimicking fear and distress constant direct human contact. ‘protective contact’ and limited the use the male:female ratio and age structure of the ankus. • Housed in groups of unrelated individuals. observed in the wild: African, groups of • Evidence of anxiety or aggression such as 30 closely-related individuals (including trumpeting, charging. • Minimise public contact and regularly • Evidence of aggression and tension monitor the welfare of those animals between conspecifics. matriarch, related adult females, adolescents, • No social contact with conspecifics. juveniles and infants); Asian, similarly used in public interactions. • Female elephants and offspring housed structured, consisting of approximately five • Unsupervised, unmonitored public contact. • Animals not put in circumstances that separately, or removed from their mothers individuals.) Monitored in case of conflict. • Individuals made to perform lead to fear, distress, anxiety or the risk before natural weaning (unless under the of injury, e.g. as photo props, required to direction of a veterinarian). • Females and their offspring should be housed unnatural behaviours. together: female calves stay with their perform actions on command (except in the • Bull (male) elephants isolated from mothers for life; male calves stay with their • Exposed to loud music, or noise. case of necessary husbandry procedures). the rest of the herd. mothers until about ten years old. • Public feeding. • Maintain animals in social groups when • Chained excessively and restricted • Bull (male) elephants only separated from at rest. 18 • Minimal rest time between performances. 19 from movement. the rest of the herd during musth (unless • Educational programme: no music, under the direction of a veterinarian). • Excessive chaining. • Lethargic behaviour, or no interaction performance of natural behaviour and with conspecifics. • Abilities for animals to express their natural description of natural attributes. behaviour, encouraged by appropriate • Repetitive abnormal (stereotypic) • Ability of animals to use all features apparatus and enrichment e.g. dig, bathe, of an enclosure without manipulation, behaviour, such as pacing, circling, dive, forage, dust bathe, etc. head-bobbing, or weaving. instruction or coercion. • Ability for animals to move at will, to escape and find refuge.

• Elephants should not be tethered, unless this is for specified animal welfare reasons or under the instruction of a suitably qualified veterinarian.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA seven Managing the impacts of tourism on elephants in captive environments seven Managing the impacts of tourism on elephants in captive environments

SECTION 7 keeper and elephant (thereby reducing the Indicators of poor welfare Managing the impacts potential for keeper fatalities, risk of serious Overworked or underfed elephants may look keeper injury and opportunities for animal tired and abnormally thin. This is usually abuse). Some zoos, however, still claim indicated if the entire ribcage is clearly visible of tourism on elephants that elephant training is vital to facilitate beneath the skin. Visible wounds or injuries veterinary procedures, to demonstrate are likely to be a sign of mistreatment of the in captive environments educational aspects of elephant biology and animal. These may be caused by an ankus or natural behaviours, to facilitate the transport other training/discipline tool, and are most of elephants and to ensure the safety of both often seen around the lower legs and feet and elephants and people. around the head and ears. Best practice should always include a full risk Keeping elephants in captive environments can present significant challenges Chain wounds can also be common. These assessment of staff/elephant interactions and, are usually around the lower legs and ankles, for their welfare. Any assessment of captive conditions should use the following where permitted, public/elephant interactions. usually in the form of broken skin and tissue three broad criteria as minimum requirements. Suppliers should also follow protocols for damage along a horizontal plane. Damage their elephant management and training can also be caused by devices used to carry Captive environments should: Elephant training methods and keep behavioural profiles for people or other loads on the elephant’s back; each animal older than six months (updated abrasions and wounds where they rest on the • Provide spacious quarters that permit annually). All training and interaction should back or neck, and where they are fastened foraging, exploration and exercise, Human contact is an integral part of 20 be based on positive reinforcement, not around the flanks and under the chest and 21 year-round access to the outdoors, traditional elephant keeping, although physical punishment (or threat of physical belly. Poor keeping and management can year-round access to live or fresh-cut many zoos in North America (including all punishment), isolation or deprivation. also lead to damaged feet especially toenails, vegetation, membership of a social group members of the American Zoo Association) which can become sore and infected. of conspecifics and freedom to exercise and increasingly in Europe are now using Chaining should be kept to an absolute reasonable autonomy a preferred system of ‘protected contact’. minimum. The use of electronic goads should Scar tissue from old wounds may also be This eliminates the need to dominate the be prohibited. Where ankus are used, this visible as white or light grey patches, and • Respect the lifelong bond between mothers elephant and avoids full, free contact between practice should be phased out gradually; whilst small blemishes may have other causes, and female calves, unless for an exceptional using progressive training measures based large patches of scar tissue in suspicious places reason e.g. signs of conflict or aggression on positive reinforcement, an ankus can be – for instance horizontal marks across the between mother and calf removed while ensuring keepers/mahouts can lower leg – are likely to have been caused by • Be free from dominance-based behaviour still safely train the animal. negligence or mistreatment. Evidence of pain- management, including physical centred methods of controlling the animal punishment or threat of physical include where the tip of a sharp implement punishment, isolation or deprivation. has been placed behind the ear or against Below are best practice recommendations the back of the leg. Using such a discrete that can help to safeguard elephant welfare and hard-to-see tool on these particularly in captive environments. Further best practice sensitive points indicates a training or control recommendations for keeping animals in method that relies on physical punishment as captivity are available in the specific guidance a negative reinforcement technique. manual, Animals in Captive Environments. Many zoos are moving to protected training of elephants.

Behavioural abnormalities are more likely to Best practice Keeping elephants in zoos and other develop in impoverished environments, where • Chaining of elephants should be kept to captive facilities animals become frustrated as a result of the absolute minimum levels e.g. no more than lack of sensory stimulation and/or behavioural a few hours per day. Ideally, chaining should Zoos should comply with all relevant zoo opportunities. These behaviours are usually only occur for specified animal welfare legislation of the respective country (including repetitive, without any obvious function, and reasons under the instruction of a suitably registration of calves born in captivity) and are not observed in elephants in the wild. qualified veterinarian. should meet any existing minimum husbandry Common abnormal behaviour in captive • Efforts should be taken to phase out the standards for elephants. Legislation may elephants includes: swaying from side to side; also require minimum standards in animal a complex motion of repetitive swaying and ankus (bull-hook). welfare to be enforced (e.g. all zoos in member Walking on a tightrope is completely unnatural and is head bobbing; stereotypical route tracing • Elephants should be regularly checked for countries of the European Union should adhere classified as an unacceptable practice. (likened to repetitive pacing). general condition, demeanour, obvious signs to the requirements of the European Zoos of exhaustion, malnourishment or sickness. Directive). Guidelines for keeping elephants in Elephant performances Checks should include checking for wounds zoos are found in the UK Secretary of State’s and injuries especially on the legs and Standards on Modern Zoo Practice, Defra In most cases, any display that requires an behind ears, the back, the feet and head. 2004, and in Elephant Management Guidelines animal to perform on command should • Training methods should only be based on (British and Irish Association of Zoos and be discouraged. Exceptions may be made positive reinforcement. Aquariums (BIAZA), 2006). if the animals are demonstrating natural behaviours, working practices or veterinary 22 23 • Where animals are trained to perform treatment protocols (such as foot raising) in actions (without any form of threat or an educational context, and where training coercion) these should be part of their is by positive reinforcement (reward and not natural repertoire (not, for example, head threat of pain or physical violence if commands stands, tightrope walks). are not obeyed). While some displays or Visible ribs may be an indicator of poor welfare, • Elephants should not be sourced from the performances are described as behavioural underfeeding and malnourishment. wild for captive attractions. enrichment, this only applies when the animal can make a free choice of when and whether to take part. Enrichment should mean providing animals with opportunities to engage in a range of natural behavioural activities; making them do activities on command is training. Zoos should comply with respective country- Activities such as walking or standing upright on specific legislation. their hind legs, performing head stands or walking a tightrope are not only completely unnatural behaviours, they can severely harm the health and welfare of the animal. Training an elephant to perform unnatural behaviours generally requires a very strict and dominant training regime, which will be stressful and upsetting for the animal. The use of animals in performance should only be considered when the animals concerned are able to demonstrate natural behaviour in the

context of an educational experience, with Temple elephants are usually kept at the site informative and accurate commentary about for most of the year except when participating the species’ biology and ecology. in pageants and religious events elsewhere. These sites are usually not designed to In addition, where animals are used in provide the animals with adequate freedom performances and shows, there should be a of movement and behaviour, or opportunities guarantee that living conditions and the care for social interaction with other elephants. provided meet the Welfare Quality® criteria, Chaining for long periods is common and set out in Sections 1 and 6 of this manual, and the daily routine may only provide brief the provisions in the specific guidance manual, opportunities to be off the chains, for instance, Animals in Captive Environments. for a bath, which will usually be closely supervised by a mahout. Best practice Elephant welfare should not be compromised when Good sanctuaries can provide excellent conditions • Elephants should be allowed a free choice of elephants are utilised in religious festivals. There may also be a risk to visitor safety where for elephants. when and whether to perform specific actions people are close to elephants without adequate or activities – especially where activities are Use in religious and cultural events or any security provisions in place. Elephant camps and sanctuaries described as behavioural enrichment. and at temples Best practice An animal sanctuary is a facility that provides • Where animals are requested to perform Elephants used in processions may come from rescued, injured, confiscated, orphaned or actions (without any form of threat or • Animals have free access to walk on soft, the temples themselves but if they are owned abandoned animals with short or long-term 24 coercion) these should be part of their natural surfaces. 25 by private individuals, when not being used in refuge and/or longer-term rehabilitation. natural repertoire. • Chaining should be kept to an absolute such events (for which the owner will often be Animal welfare should be the primary concern minimum; keeping the elephants in • Training of elephants for shows and well paid) they may be earning money by being and living conditions for all animals should appropriate enclosures is preferable. performances should only be based on used for physical labour or in tourist activities. meet their species-specific needs. Sanctuaries positive reinforcement. • Animals have continual daily access to an and orphanages should not breed animals, or The welfare of elephants can be compromised be involved in the commercial trade or loan • The establishment should have a protocol for enclosed area where they can move and act in many ways when taking part in religious of their animals to other facilities. Allowing elephant management and training methods, freely. The minimum requirement is for at processions and other cultural events. animals to breed will divert valuable resources and a behavioural profile on each animal least four hours every day, in periods of at Processions usually take place on paved roads, away from rescuing animals in need and can older than six months (updated annually). least one hour. which force the animal to stand and walk on result in animals being kept in inadequate, • Physical contact between the animals • Physical contact between the elephants tarmac, concrete or other hard surfaces for overcrowded conditions. and the public is discouraged. Where it many hours or even days (this includes getting and the public is discouraged. Elephants does occur, contact should only take place to and from the temple). When elephants are in are Category 1 – Greatest Risk according Within Asia especially, but also elsewhere, under controlled, supervised conditions. public areas with many people, they inevitably to the Hazardous Animal Category taken there are a range of captive elephant facilities Participants should be informed of the have limited freedom of movement and from the UK Secretary of State’s Standards – often promoted as sanctuaries – which offer potential risks and the rules of engagement. behaviour and may be kept standing completely on Modern Zoo Practice, Defra 2004, (see tourism opportunities. Many of these keep For example, their expected behaviour still for extended periods. Access to appropriate Appendix 1: animal husbandry information elephants in a semi-free-ranging or loosely and washing their hands before and after food and water may also be severely limited. table in Global Welfare Guidance for Animals controlled environment. These vary from permitted animal contact. In some cases animals are transported to and in Tourism). logging camps and other working elephant from events in poorly adapted and maintained centres which may also cater for tourist • The use of elephants as a prop in tourist • Animals have regular access to suitable food; vehicles, which may represent a risk to both the visits to dedicated international-standard souvenir photo opportunities should be free at-will access to drinking water; free access elephant, the driver and other road users. sanctuaries, which only allow access by prior from evidence of bad practice (animals are to shelter/shade when not engaged in specific activities (e.g. in a procession). arrangement and never permit direct contact not abused, mutilated or made to perform between visitors and animals. unnatural behaviours).

Animals in sanctuaries can suffer from the Indicators of poor welfare positive reinforcement (encouragement by same problems as those found in other forms In addition to concerns relating to the physical reward). After a ride, the saddles and any other of captivity. In addition, the facilities may have and mental condition of the animals and structures used to carry passengers should be policies that ultimately lead to significant the conditions in which they are kept, the removed carefully from the animal and should elephant suffering. These include: breeding overall mission and the specific practices of be kept separately. See Section 8 Supporting to expand the captive stock; unnecessary the facility should be carefully considered. information, in this manual for more about bottle feeding of juveniles (sometimes Facilities that breed elephants in order to acceptable elephant husbandry practice. removed from their mother); chaining of transfer surplus animals to zoos, circuses, Where riding is permitted; suppliers of bull elephants; transfer of animals to zoos, private ownership and temples should not activities involving animals and people should circuses, private owners and temples. In many be considered genuine sanctuaries. Care of take all reasonable steps to safeguard the cases these animals may also be used for Elephant riding using padded mats; an example of the animals beyond the tourist experience best practice. health and safety of visitors and staff, as well shows or performances, elephant back riding, should also be carefully evaluated; adequate as the animals themselves. Customers should photographic opportunities, elephant baths exercise, free movement, food, water, shelter, be informed of the potential risks and the rules and bottle feeding. Elephant riding companionship, freedom from coercion should of engagement – for example, their expected all be present. Particular attention should be paid to the Every effort should be made to minimise behaviour – before the activity begins. treatment and conditions of the elephants the potential for negative impacts on the Best practice Indicators of poor welfare when they are not taking part in a tourist elephants’ welfare when using elephants for • Sanctuaries and camps should comply experience. Animals should have plenty of riding. Riding bareback or on a padded mat, Elephants used for elephant back safaris may with all relevant Animal Welfare® criteria 26 opportunities to move and act freely and for instance, is preferable to using a howdah be overworked and subject to strict training 27 and the guidance manual, Animals in should have regular access to water, food, (the wood or metal seating arrangement and management, leading to physical and Captive Environments. shelter/shade. Facilities should meet the often used to carry six or more passengers). A mental suffering and injuries, as discussed appropriate elephant management and • Sanctuary animals in the process of howdah can cause a number of injuries from above (see Elephant training). They are care provisions described in Section 6. rehabilitation for eventual release to the rope sores to spinal damage. If a howdah is especially prone to injuries to their backs – wild should have minimal human contact. in particular blisters or cuts caused by Animals housed within a sanctuary but in the used, a maximum of four average-size adult howdahs. Walking regularly on hard surfaces process of rehabilitation for eventual release, • If the public visits the facility, numbers and passengers should be carried on a full-grown with a heavy load can also increase the risk should be kept away from the public and, if proximity should be controlled to minimise elephant’s back. The weight and height of the of foot problems. at all possible, have minimal human contact. potential negative impact on the animals. rider(s) should be limited depending on the size of the animal. Passengers should be well This is important for their future survival in Best practice • Money from entrance fees and/or donations balanced on both sides ensuring no damage the wild, where a natural fear of humans is should be directed towards the lifetime care • Riding bareback or using a padded mat often a key survival skill. Any animal returned occurs to the elephant’s backbone. Great care of the animals and the sustainable operation should also be taken when loading passengers are preferable to using a howdah (wood to the wild should be fully screened for of the sanctuary. or metal seating). diseases and other health issues. Post-release as this could damage the back of the animal. • Any activities involving animal contact • Pregnant, sick, disabled animals, animals monitoring should be part of any release Other aspects that can cause unnecessary and animal feeding should adhere to under ten years, injured, inactive animals, protocol whenever possible in order to assess animal suffering include the length of the the guidance set out in the manual, animals under veterinary supervision of any survival rates. For more information, consult ride, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight Unacceptable or Discouraged Practices. kind and animals in musth should not be the IUCN Guidelines for Reintroductions and (especially in the middle of the day), limited used on tours. Neither should animals of an Other Conservation Translocations (2012). • The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries access to drinking water during the ride, and unsuitable disposition (aggressive, nervous www.issg.org/pdf/publications/Translocation- (GFAS) sets out ideal sanctuary practice. the nature of the surface underfoot (softer etc.). Animals should be fit and healthy – Guidelines-2012.pdf natural substrates are preferable to tarmac, with a good covering of flesh, rather than concrete etc.). Actions such as jerking of prominent hip bones, back bones or pelvis. the ears, use of the ankus and beating are unacceptable. Animal handling should use

• The weight and height of the rider(s) Best practice should be limited dependent on the size • Ensure that the interaction being offered is of the animal. necessary and beneficial for the particular • It is unacceptable to keep the riding animal involved. equipment on the animal between rides. • Any contact only takes place under • Animals should not be ridden on tours controlled, supervised conditions. during the hottest midday period (between • Participants should be informed of the 12 noon and 2.30pm). They should not be potential risks and the rules of engagement. ridden for more than four hours per day For example, their expected behaviour or for longer than two hours at a time. and washing their hands before and after Elephants should have at least one hour’s permitted animal contact to prevent disease rest after each two-hour ride. transmission (zoonoses). • Care should be taken to apply • The activity is limited by the supplier in the acceptable animal handling practices best interests of the animal; the activity is using positive reinforcement. only offered by prior arrangement, at certain • Animals should not be used on tar/public roads. times and for limited duration. A more flexible approach may indicate that the • The supplier should be committed to 28 welfare of the animal has a low priority. 29 gradually phasing out riding practices and moving towards more natural interaction experiences. Mahout training courses, elephant bathing, bottle feeding etc.

A wide range of captive elephant facilities offer special opportunities for the public to interact with elephants in specific ways, some of them portrayed as benefiting animal husbandry. Some of these activities may be offered by reputable sanctuaries, without compromising animal welfare. In other cases, however, an activity that may seem relatively harmless could be a cause for concern.

Indicators of poor welfare These include obvious signs that the elephant is being forced to carry out behaviours/ activities that are uncomfortable or stressful. (See Elephant training.) Careful investigation may be required to determine whether the Poor quality or poorly fitted howdahs can cause injury activity really is beneficial for the animal. to the elephants.

SECTION 8 Euthanasia Key points Additional best Euthanasia is a challenging concept in relation to captive animal facilities. While most would like to think it is not practised, • Euthanasia is only carried out practice indicators save in exceptional circumstances, it is under express instruction and widely acknowledged to be part of animal authorisation from the on-site management within captive attractions. or contracted veterinarian. There are several useful pieces of guidance • Euthanasia should only be in around this issue. For example, in the UK, the accordance with the principles Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo set out in the UK Secretary of Practice provides a useful guide on euthanasia. State’s Standards of Modern Around the world, varying degrees of regulation exist with regards to animal It states: Zoo Practice. attractions. Additionally, there are also a nuymber of professional associations • Euthanasia should only be a Euthanasia is an acceptable procedure only which animal attractions can join and which regulate their members regarding last resort. if an animal cannot be provided with captive animal welfare standards. Below are additional indicators of best practice. conditions which meet the Five Freedoms (see Section 2 in this manual, What is animal • Culling of surplus stock (including • In many countries, an operating animal • The attraction should have insurance that welfare?), or it cannot be released into the wild. 30 unacceptable sex ratios) where over- attraction is regulated and regularly covers the facility and every person under Although breeding for conservation purposes crowding compromises the welfare of the inspected by the appropriate government a contract of service (or acting on their is to be encouraged, species for which there animals so that it is impractical to maintain body. This sometimes includes minimum behalf) against liability for any damage standards of animal welfare. For example all or injury caused by any of the animals, is marginal or no conservation value should them within the Five Freedoms. 31 be carefully assessed on whether to allow zoos in member countries of the European whether inside or outside the attraction, It is important that a modern zoo has a policy, them to breed, and, if not, appropriate action Union should meet the requirements of the including transportation to other premises. with appropriate protocols, to ensure humane taken to prevent stock from increasing European Zoos Directive. This should be in addition to public liability and timely euthanasia to minimise suffering. unnecessarily. In the main, measures should insurance and compliance with mandatory It should be capable of demonstrating that • In countries where animal attractions are be taken to control unwanted or unnecessary health and safety requirements. zoo operators have: required to have a licence or permit to breeding. This is preferable to euthanasia of operate, the attraction should have a valid • The attraction should provide ongoing healthy stock. • Information and guidance from their licence or permit that is on public view or training for animal keepers and/or require veterinary surgeon on euthanasia, including Euthanasia is justifiable under certain readily available. keeping staff to have a recognised animal emergency methods conditions, which include the following: • The animal attraction should ideally be a management qualification. • Facilities for the humane despatch of • Animal sanctuaries/orphanages should not • If in the opinion of a vet, an animal is member of a professional trade organisation animals of all the species kept, including allow animals to breed or replace animals. suffering from an incurable disease, or severe that prioritises animal welfare. That for killing animals in emergency conditions If this is allowed, the attraction needs to pain or suffering which cannot be alleviated organisation should have standards and • Support and advice on public relations guidelines and provide accreditation after be re-classified. For more information on • If a zoo has to close, euthanasia may be the aspects of euthanasia. inspection and evaluation. appropriate sanctuary operation, see Section only option for some animals and the most 9 in the manual Global Welfare Standards for humane for others • The attraction should keep up-to-date records For the UK Secretary of State’s Standards of all wild animals held including numbers of Animals in Tourism. • If the animal poses a serious and of Modern Zoo Practice, see Appendix 6 each species, births, deaths, animal acquisitions • All animals kept should have been acquired unavoidable threat to human safety of the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals and disposals. For an example of an animal legally and in accordance with international (e.g. because it has escaped) in Tourism. stocklist see Appendix 5 in Global Welfare and national legislation. Standards for Animals in Tourism.

Elephants in Captive Environments: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2013 ABTA ElANIMALephants WELFA in RCaptivE GUIDES:e Environm Elephants inents Tourism: A Best Practice Guidance Manual ©2012© ABTA2013 & A FTBTAO eight Supporting information appendices

Acquisition of animals • The captive welfare of the animal and whether its destination has suitable Many in the international conservation and acceptable conditions that meet Appendices community consider the removal of all its species-specific needs. Generally, animals from the wild (where it is not for a animals should not be acquired from the demonstrable conservation need) to be an wild unless there is a demonstrable and unacceptable practice. Indeed, some consider justifiable conservation need, or it can be it undermines conservation efforts aimed at demonstrated that the acquisition will not protecting species in the wild. The capture of adversely affect in any way the conservation any wild animal should therefore be governed status or welfare of the species. by a strict set of guidelines. Acquisition from Appendix 1: souces of futher information the wild is discouraged and suppliers should Record keeping of animals instead source new acquisitions from captive Category Further info source Description breeding programmes. Under the EC Directive 1999/22/EC, all zoological collections in the European Union Before contemplating the capture of a wild should keep up-to-date and accurate records animal, the following strict guidelines should Legislation & EC Directive 1999/22 European legislation – keeping wild animals in zoos. of all their animal species. This should include Conventions be considered: details of births, mortalities, arrivals and Source: europa.eu/legislation_summaries/environment/nature_and_biodiversity/l28069_en.htm • Legislation governing international trade in disposals. The minimum requirements specify Legislation & Welfare Quality® Animal welfare principles & criteria. wild-caught species (CITES), and regional, that suppliers should keep such records (see Section 4 of the Global Welfare Guidance for Conventions national and local laws relating to the Source: www.welfarequalitynetwork.net Animals in Tourism). 32 capture of animals from the wild For an example of an animal stocklist see Legislation & BIAZA British and Irish Association of Zoo and Aquaria—Elephant • Potential conservation impact of removing Conventions Management Guidelines (2010, 3rd Edition, Olivia Walter, IZVG). individual animals from the wild on the Appendix 5: sample animal stock-list in Global survival prospects of a species or population Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism. Source: www.biaza.org.uk/uploads/Animal%20Management/Elephant%20Guidelines%202010.pdf (taking into account CITES Non Detriment Findings (NDF) and relevant IUCN Organisation & HSE Guidelines on public health and safety in zoos & aquaria. guidelines). See Appendix 3: Captive animal Associations Source: www.hse.gov.uk 33 guidelines in the Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism Legislation & CITES Species lists governing international trade. • Potential welfare impact on individual wild Conventions Source: www.cites.org/eng/resources/species.html animals, for example injury and mortality as a result of capture and transport. The Legislation & CITES Guidelines on transporting live specimens. impact of selected removal (for example of Conventions males) on the sex ratio Source: www.cites.org/eng/transport/index.php

Organisation & Global Federation of Animal To apply for animal sanctuary accreditation, and sanctuary Associations Sanctuaries (GFAS) best practice.

Source: www.sanctuaryfederation.org/gfas/home

Category Further info source Description Further reading Media articles

Baker, Iljas and Kashio, Masakazu (Eds), 2002 Giants on our News Hands: Proceedings of the International Workshop on the Organisation & EAZA European Association of Zoo and Aquaria. Domesticated Asian Elephant. FAO, Bangkok, Thailand. April 2012 – Keeper killed by captive elephant: www.news. Associations com.au/world/woman-killed-by-elephant-at-zoo/story- Source: www.eaza.net Cheeran, Jacob, and Poole, Trevor, 1996 The Exploitation of e6frfkyi-1226338249617 Asian Elephants. Ibid. Nov 2011 – German tourist killed after falling off elephant: Organisation & AZA American Association of Zoo and Aquaria – Animal Care Manuals. Clubb, Ros and Mason, Georgia, 2002 A review www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/German- Associations of the Welfare of Zoo Elephants in Europe. tourist-fatally-injured-after-falling-from--30170965.html Source: www.aza.org/animal-care-manuals/ Oxford University/RSPCA Feb 2011 – trekking elephant kills Swiss tourist and injures Organisation & ABWAK Association of British and Irish Wild Animal Keepers (ABWAK). Elephant Care www.elephantcare.org/protoman.htm four others in Thailand: www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/ Associations afp_asiapacific/view/1112751/1/.html Forthman D. L. et al, An Elephant in the Room: The Science and Well-Being of Elephants in Captivity. 2009 Tufts Center January 2011 – Keeper killed by captive elephant: for Animals and Public Policy. home.elephantsincaptivity.org Organisation & Australian Collection of global animal husbandry guidelines on mammals, www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3U8UrUCsGc Associations Zoo Keeping birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates. Ghosh, Rhea, 2005 Gods in Chains. Foundation Books/The February 2009 – Keeper killed by captive elephant: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, Banglore, India. www.cbsnews.com/2100-205_162-675182.html Source: www.australasianzookeeping.org/Husbandry%20Manual%20Guidelines.htm Jayawardene, Jayantha (Ed.) 2003 Endangered Elephants: 2007 – Two tourists on safari killed by elephant Past, Present and Future. Proceedings of the Symposium in Zimbabwe: www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/ Organisation SPANA Survey of holiday makers and animal welfare concerns. for Human-Elephant Relationships and Conflicts. dinasaur17.16179.html & Associations Colombo, Sri Lanka. Source: cdn.yougov.com/cumulus_uploads/document/n9rzwbo071/YG-Archives-Spana-Holidaying-070812.pdf Journals Redmond, Ian, 1996 Elephant Family Values. In Taylor, Victoria and Dunstone, Nigel, (Eds) The Exploitation of Gajah, the Journal of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group of Mammal Populations. Chapman & Hall, London. the IUCN Species Survival Commission

Rice University.Occupational Health. research.rice.edu/ Pachyderm, the Journal of the African Elephant, African services/occHealth/zoonosis/Elephants.pdf Rhino and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. www.elephantcare.org/ protoman.htm (consolidated information on elephant care)

www.australasianzookeeping.org/Husbandry%20 34 Manual%20Guidelines.htm AZA Standards for Elephant 35 Management and Care, AZA (2003, 2nd Edition)

Elephant Management Guidelines (BIAZA), Stevenson et al (2006, 2nd Edition) (adopted by EAZA)

Guidelines for Management of Elephants in Australasian Zoos, Proboscid and Perissodactyl Taxon Advisory Group (2004)

www.dadinani.com/capture-memories/read-contributions/ life-back-then/204-capturing-wild-elephants-mpv-shenoi

www.elephantvoices.org/elephant-interests/-captured-a- sold.html

An Elephant In The Room: The Science and Well-Being of Elephants in Captivity, is a multi-author on-line manual at home.elephantsincaptivity.org which makes a number of best practice recommendations

Acknowledgements Andrew Greenwood MA, VetMB, DipECZM, CBiol FSB Dr Jamie Lorimer, University Lecturer, School of Geography FRCVS, Partner, International Zoo Veterinary Group and the Environment, University of Oxford

Key contributors Philip Mansbridge, Chief Executive Officer, Care for the Kisor Chaudhuri FRGS, Wildlife Management Consultant, Wild International Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India ABTA would like to acknowledge and extend its sincere gratitude to the following key contributors to these guidance manuals. Manoj Gautam, Executive Director, Jane Goodall Cynthia Moss, Director, African elephant specialist, Institute Nepal Amboseli Trust for Elephants Daniel Turner – Born Free Foundation Nancy Brock – Thomas Cook Dr. Brij Kishor Gupta, Evaluation & Monitoring Officer Kedar Gore, Director, The Corbett Foundation and Member, Expert Group on Zoo Designing Central Zoo Will Travers – Born Free Foundation Mirieme Hill – Virgin Holidays Authority, Ministry of Environment & Forests, India Cathy Williamson, Captivity Programme Manager, Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) Shelley Waterland – Species Survival Network Shena Howie – Cosmos Holidays/Monarch Travel Group Dr. Stuart Semple, Reader in Evolutionary Anthropology, Institute of Primate Tourism Research, University of Nancy L. Gibson, Founder / Chief Executive, Dr. Cheryl Mvula – Tribal Voice Communications Sean Owens – TUI UK and Ireland Roehampton Love Wildlife Foundation Afzaal Mauthoor – Destination Creators Ltd Alan Knight OBE, Chief Executive, International Dr Susanna Curtin, Senior Lecturer, Researcher in Eco/Wildlife Animal Rescue Tourism, School of Tourism, Bournemouth University, UK Consultees Kathy Gill, Strategy Director, Biosphere Expeditions Mr Marc Ancrenaz, Co Director, The Orangutan Project ABTA would also like to extend its gratitude to the following people who were consulted in the creation of these guidance manuals, and whose input has proved invaluable in achieving their Professor Claudio Sillero, Bill Travers Fellow for Wildlife creation. The following people have contributed to one or more of the manuals. Conservation, WildCRU, Zoology, University of Oxford

John Roberts, Director of Elephant and Conservation Jonathan Vaughan, BSc, MSc, IEEM. General Manager, Project management team Activities, Anantara Golden Triangle and Golden Triangle Lilongwe Wildlife Centre Elephant Foundation Daniel Turner – Born Free Foundation Peter Fricker, Projects and Communications Director, David Hancocks BSc. BArch., Consultant Vancouver Humane Society. Simon Pickup – ABTA

John Denerley, Director, Galloway Wildlife Laura Higham, BVM&S, MRCVS. Shelly Beresford – ABTA Conservation Trust Veterinary Programme Advisor, SPANA

36 Manny Mvula MSc., Senior Consultant, Elise Allart, Manager, Sustainable Tourism, TUI Netherlands Statement from the Born Free Foundation 37 Tribal Voice Communications Each year, the Born Free Foundation receives thousands of calls from members of the public concerned by the suffering of Stefanie Boomsma, Sustainable Tourism Coordinator, animals that they witness whilst travelling. Born Free investigates these concerns and, as part of our follow-up procedures, Dr Deepani Jayantha, BVSc, DESMAN G-Cert., TUI Netherlands contacts governments calling on them to draw up, improve and enforce animal welfare legislation. We also work with the Country Representative, Sri Lanka, travel industry which is ideally placed to influence the current situation and bring about positive change. Our extensive Born Free Foundation Jonathan Chell, Marketing Manager, Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camp expertise in the science of animal welfare and wildlife conservation ensures Born Free can provide accurate and reliable Dr Sonya Hill, M.Phil., Ph.D. Applied Ethologist information which can be used to tackle many of the negative and harmful practices that impact on the welfare of both Kimberley Wells MSc, Senior Welfare Advisor, The Brooke captive wild animals and their free-living counterparts, as well as the habitats they depend upon. The Born Free Foundation is Nick Marx, MSc. Director, Wildlife Rescue and delighted that our experience has contributed to a landmark decision by ABTA to produce its ground-breaking Global Welfare Care Programmes, Wildlife Alliance Kisor Chaudhuri, Independent Expert, Government Advisor Guidance for Animals in Tourism and six supporting guidance manuals which represent a significant step towards improving (India) and Fellow of Royal Geographical Society. animal welfare standards of attractions associated with and supported by the tourism industry. Amanda Mayhew, Manager Ecotourism and International Trade Policy, Humane Society International Sabrina Cambiaso, Director, Dominican Republic Tourism Board Chris Lee, Trade Marketing Manager, Tourism Authority of Thailand Manuel Diaz Cebrian, European Regional Director, Mexican Tourism Board.

Appendix 2: photo captions and credits

Page Caption Credit Page Caption Credit

Elephant in captivity with its trainer. Stock image library 18 Head bobbing and swaying elephant – a sign of distress. Born Free Foundation

5 Asian elephants are still used in cultural and religious settings. Robert Young 18 Elephant in a natural environment Swap with Riding elephant without harness. Born Free Foundation

7 Tourism can be good for wild elephants, reducing illegal activity and Born Free Foundation 19 Angry elephant charging. Born Free Foundation funding conservation. 19 Riding an elephant without a harness. Born Free Foundation 8 Training through protected contact means the trainer and elephant do not Born Free Foundation share the same space. 20 Many zoos are moving to protected training of elephants. Born Free Foundation 10 Chaining of elephants should be avoided where possible. Where chaining is D Turner conducted, it should be kept to an absolute minimum. 22 Visible ribs may be an indicator of poor welfare, underfeeding Born Free Foundation and malnourishment. 11 Elephant orphanage. D Turner 23 Zoos should comply with respective country-specific legislation. Born Free Foundation 13 Elephant performances should not involve elephants performing Born Free Foundation non-natural behaviours. 23 Walking on a tightrope is completely unnatural and is classified as an Born Free Foundation unacceptable practice. 14 Wild elephant family. A Swan 24 Elephant welfare should not be compromised when elephants are utilised Born Free Foundation 15 Underweight elephants. D Turner in religious festivals. 25 Good sanctuaries can provide excellent conditions for elephants. Born Free Foundation 15 Enrichment feeding. Born Free Foundation

27 Elephant riding using padded mats; an example of best practice. Animal Public 16 Unsuitable housing. Born Free Foundation

28 Elephant riding. Stock image library 16 Good elephant enclosure. Born Free Foundation

29 Poor quality or poorly fitted howdahs can cause injury to the elephants. Joaquin Uy 17 Injuries through chaining. Born Free Foundation 38 39 17 Elephant sanctuary. D Turner

Global Welfare Guidance for Animals in Tourism Animals in Captive Environments Dolphins in Captive Environments

Wildlife Viewing Working Animals Unacceptable and Discouraged Practices

ABTA Ltd 30 Park Street, London SE1 9EQ Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)20 3117 0590 Web: www.abta.com Fax: +44 (0)20 3117 0581 Twitter: @ABTAtravel