Adult elephant stands in a zoo next to a river.

Captive animal welfare | Staff

Are zoos ethical?

‘An animal’s subjective experience of life should be the starting point for any conversation about the ethics of zoos,’ says Animals Asia’s Senior Bear Team Manager Molly Feldman.

In a new interview with A-Z Animals, Molly explains why she believes majority of zoos worldwide fall short of acceptable welfare standards, and what that means for animals in captivity.

Molly also shares essential tips for identifying substandard zoos:

  • Look for enclosures that lack stimulation or space
  • Beware of facilities prioritising profit over animal wellbeing
  • Question whether the animal could truly thrive in that environment

Molly said, ‘At Animals Asia, we rescue and rehabilitate bears from the worst conditions imaginable, and we know firsthand how captivity impacts animal welfare.’

Read the full interview to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in improving animal welfare standards globally, and what to look out for when considering visiting a zoo.

How Animals Asia is ending cruelty to animals