Irish and European zoos don't need to breed or keep elephants, says animal welfare expert

It comes following the deaths of two of the animals in Dublin Zoo recently. On July 8, the charity announced that Zinda (7) had passed away from suspected elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) following the death of Avani (8) on July 1 from the same virus. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

A leading international animal welfare expert has backed a call to end the breeding of elephants in Irish zoos.

It comes following the deaths of two of the animals in Dublin Zoo recently. On July 8, the charity announced that Zinda (7) had passed away from suspected elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) following the death of Avani (8) on July 1 from the same virus.

Since then, a third elephant, Asha (17), the mother of Zinda also tested positive for EEHV, while Samiya (9) also contracted the virus. In a statement at the time Dublin Zoo said: “Tests have confirmed that both elephants have some antibodies which may boost the chances of a positive outcome.

“Samiya and Asha continue to receive the best possible treatment from our wonderful veterinary and animal care teams, who have been working so incredibly hard through this challenging period."

EEHV is an incurable virus in elephants and causes acute, fatal haemorrhagic disease in wild and captive juvenile Asian and African elephants. In severe cases, the virus can result in death within 24 hours.

The spread of the virus is being highlighted by wildlife experts on World Elephant Day, August 12.

Dr Andrew Kelly, Director of Freedom for Animals, joined a protest at Dublin Zoo on Saturday in the Phoenix Park calling for an end to the breeding of elephants in captivity. Dr Kelly said: “It has been known for over two decades that elephants suffer in zoos.

“They lead shorter lives, on average, than wild elephants, have poorer reproductive success, higher rates of still births, higher rates of infant mortality (deaths under five years) and a higher incidence of lameness, foot, muscle, and joint problems.

Elephants in zoos commonly display stereotypic behaviours including body swaying, trunk swaying, head bobbing and pacing caused by the stress of captivity.

“EEHV is responsible for 50% of deaths of juvenile elephants in zoos and is a far greater threat to captive Asian elephants than wild elephants in which the disease is mostly benign."

In a parliamentary question submitted to Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said: “Dublin Zoo may claim that keeping Asian elephants makes a significant contribution to the conservation of wild elephants in range states through breeding programmes and research into elephant diseases such as EEHV.

“However, there is very little evidence to support this. There is no need for Irish, UK or other European zoos to assist by breeding or keeping elephants.

“UK and other European zoo scientists could work on EEHV alongside regional scientists in the range states, where there are far more captive and semi-captive elephants (about 15,000) as well as wild ones, particularly since range states appear to have had more success than European zoos.” 

He called on Mr O’Brien to enter into discussions with Dublin Zoo to phase out keeping elephants in captivity here.

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In a response, Mr O'Brien said: “The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in my department is responsible for the regulation, inspection, and licensing of zoos in Ireland.

“The European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations 2003 provide the legislative basis for the inspection and licensing of zoos in Ireland. These Regulations give effect to EU Directive 1999/22/EC (the Zoo Directive).

“The purpose of the Directive relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos is to protect wild fauna and to conserve biodiversity by providing for the adoption of measures by Member States for the licensing and inspection of zoos in the EU, thereby strengthening the role of zoos in the conservation of biodiversity."

Dr Kelly backed Mr Murphy’s call, saying: “No elephants born in European zoos are ever likely to be released to the wild. Conservation efforts should be focused on preserving natural habitats and protecting wild elephants in the wild where they belong."

Dublin Zoo and the Department of Housing, which licenses the zoo, did not respond to questions from the Irish Examiner.

World Elephant Day

There has been a dramatic population decline in elephants due to poaching for ivory and loss of habitat. According to recent assessments, the total population of African elephants (forest and savannah) has fallen by over 90% in the last century and Asian elephants by 50% in the same timeframe.

An estimated 415,000 African elephants remain in the wild today and approximately 40,000 Asian elephants.

World Elephant Day was established in 2011 by Canadian filmmakers Michael Clarke and Patricia Sims who set up the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation and Sivaporn Dardarananda, the Secretary-General of the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation in Thailand.

The inaugural World Elephant Day was held on August 12, 2012, and continues to be spearheaded by Ms Sims through her role at the World Elephant Society, founded in November 2015.