The majestic elephant, while beloved by the public, faces danger and adversity in both captivity and the wild.
While many people are fascinated by nonhuman animals, most do not have the time, money, or opportunity to travel to remote natural habitats where these animals live freely. Instead, zoos relocate animals for the convenience of humans, offering guaranteed viewings and encounters that fit our schedules. Unfortunately, this convenience often comes at a high cost to the animals. For elephants in particular, captivity presents unique hardships beyond mere discomfort. The elephants experience fundamental disruptions to their natural behaviors and environments.
While wild elephants face serious threats like poaching and habitat loss, captivity is not the answer. Zoo owners argue that keeping elephants in captivity helps conserve endangered species. However, proper conservation only happens in the wild, and zoos often exploit animals for profit, prioritizing human entertainment and business interests over the animals’ well-being.
This article examines the threats to elephants in the wild, the harm caused by captivity, how zoos exploit baby elephants, and how to identify fake sanctuaries. We will also look at some of the worst zoos for elephants in the U.S. and suggest ways to alleviate the suffering of elephants still in captivity.
Elephants are native to two continents, Africa and Asia, and their prehistoric ancestors have roamed the earth for as far back as 40 million years. Today, both species of elephants face a range of threats. Habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and poaching are among the most significant challenges, leading to Asian and African elephants becoming endangered.
Elephants are divided into two main species—African and Asian—each with distinct subspecies. The African elephant includes the savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana africana), which is the largest and roams the open plains, and the smaller forest elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), adapted to life in Central and West Africa’s dense rainforests. Some scientists now consider the forest elephant a separate species due to significant genetic and physical differences.
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has several recognized subspecies: the Indian elephant (E. m. indicus), found across mainland Asia; the Sri Lankan elephant (E. m. maximus), which is the largest of the Asian types and often has no tusks; the critically endangered Sumatran elephant (E. m. sumatranus), native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra; and the Bornean elephant (E. m. borneensis), sometimes called the Borneo pygmy elephant, which is smaller and genetically distinct, though its classification remains debated. These subspecies vary in size, habitat, and physical traits, reflecting their adaptation to different environments across Africa and Asia.
Elephants are frequently poached for their skin and ivory tusks, and in some countries, they are also targeted for sport hunting. Poaching devastates wild populations, particularly African elephants, which are most heavily targeted for their tusks. According to National Geographic, this has resulted in elephants “evolving to lose their tusks.”
African forest elephants have become critically endangered because of poaching and habitat loss. “The number of African forest elephants fell by more than 86 percent over 31 years, while the population of African savanna elephants decreased by at least 60 percent over the last 50 years,” said the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2021 while announcing its assessment about the global extinction risks to the African elephants.
The human population is expanding into areas traditionally inhabited by elephants, resulting in habitat loss and fragmentation. This is particularly problematic for elephants as they need vast areas to roam for food and water. As their habitat shrinks, elephants are forced into closer contact with humans, leading to conflicts.
In Asia, the expansion of agricultural activities and deforestation has led to two-thirds of elephants losing their natural habitat, according to a 2023 study published in Scientific Reports.
In some places, elephants raid crops and even attack villages, resulting in the loss of both human and elephant life.
For example, in India, up to 400 people are killed by elephants each year, and 100 elephants die due to the human-elephant conflict, according to a 2019 article in the journal Frontiers. This conflict is also a leading cause of elephant deaths in Asia.
In Sri Lanka, food scarcity has driven elephants to seek food in garbage dumps. Elephants have been observed eating plastic and other waste, which can lead to severe health issues and even death. “Around 20 elephants have died over the last eight years after consuming plastic trash in the dump,” stated a 2022 CBS News article.
Tourism has also had a detrimental effect on wild elephant populations. Countries with elephant populations, primarily Zimbabwe, have sold baby elephants to foreign zoos, including 140 elephants to China. These baby elephants are often subjected to harsh capture methods, which can result in high mortality rates. The country also ordered the culling of 200 elephants in 2024 to tackle food shortages due to drought.
Despite conservation efforts, such as India’s ban on elephant capture for domestic use, the illegal wildlife trade continues to thrive.
In August 2019, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) imposed restrictions on the international trade of wild elephants, including a near-total ban on selling baby African elephants to zoos. The ban was passed with 87 votes to 29, with the European Union ultimately supporting the ban despite earlier concerns. However, Zimbabwe, the primary exporter, and the United States voted against it. Zimbabwe and Botswana, whose elephant populations are healthier than those of other African countries, can export elephants to “appropriate and acceptable” destinations under certain conditions.
Shortly after the CITES decision, Zimbabwe exported 32 baby elephants to China. The elephants were sent to Longemont Animal Park, where they were reportedly treated inhumanely and kept in substandard conditions.
Elephants captured from the wild for domestic use are usually kept in captivity for the rest of their lives, often in inhumane conditions, and tend to live significantly shorter lives. In a 2008 study published in the journal Science, researchers compared the lifespans of female African elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park to 800 elephants living in European zoos and found a striking difference.
Wild elephants had a median age of 56 years, while captive elephants lived only 17 years on average—a threefold difference. Similar patterns were observed for Asian elephants used in the logging industry, with captivity significantly shortening their lifespans.
Elephants in captivity face many issues specific to their species. They are highly social creatures, accustomed to living in tight-knit herds, with strong bonds among their family members. They roam vast distances in the wild, but in captivity, they are confined to small enclosures.
Captivity also leads to various physical and psychological problems for these animals. Captivity harms elephants by denying them the necessary social interaction and space to roam. In the wild, elephants live in matriarchal herds and have strong family bonds. Captive elephants are often kept in isolation or as part of groups of unrelated individuals, which is psychologically damaging for them.
Even when zoos attempt to keep elephants together, the limited space and unnatural environments make it impossible for them to exhibit natural behaviors. In the wild, elephants can walk up to 40 miles a day. However, in captivity, they are confined to enclosures that are only a fraction of their natural range. A 2016 study published in PLOS One found that elephants in North American zoos walk around 3 miles per day. And the area they have to walk in is bereft of any trees, plants, or other foliage that is essential for elephant health.
This results in elephants developing zoochosis, a term used to describe the mental illness that develops in animals held in captivity. Elephants are particularly susceptible to this condition. Zoochosis manifests through obsessive, repetitive behaviors such as pacing, swaying, or rocking back and forth. Elephants with zoochosis often bob their heads incessantly, a behavior not observed in wild elephants.
Zoos often try to mask the signs of zoochosis by administering tranquilizers or antidepressants, but this only addresses the symptoms, not the underlying cause.
Zoos tend to highlight their elephant breeding programs as proof that they contribute to conservation. However, captive breeding programs are more about increasing visitor numbers than genuine conservation efforts. Baby elephants are a massive draw for zoos, and breeding them helps boost ticket sales.
Unfortunately, these breeding programs often involve invasive and unethical practices. For example, semen is collected from male elephants using painful techniques, and females are artificially inseminated. Forced pregnancies usually result in high infant mortality rates. Chai, an elephant in the Oklahoma City Zoo, who died in 2016, “was forcibly inseminated 112 times in her lifetime,” according to a 2024 article in Earth.org.
Elephants born in captivity die much younger than their wild counterparts, and “deaths of elephants in zoos outnumber births. As a result, zoos are net consumers of elephants rather than guardians of them as the industry would have us believe,” added the article. Living longer is no blessing either. As explained in the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2024, elephants who live past 40 suffer from zoo-related conditions, including chronic osteoarthritis and joint and foot disease. The zoos call this decline “aging out” and consider these older elephants less valuable, as they are no longer able to breed to produce ticket-boosting babies.
Some organizations claim to be elephant sanctuaries, but, in truth, exploit the animals for profit. These fake sanctuaries offer activities like elephant rides, feeding, and bathing, which are unnatural for the animals. True sanctuaries give elephants the autonomy to choose how they spend their time and do not force them to interact with humans.
Sanctuaries, unlike zoos, provide vast spaces for elephants to roam. Visitors, if allowed, can observe them from a distance or remotely via livestream cameras. In Asia, many tourist facilities that formerly allowed interactions, such as bathing and feeding with elephants, are adopting a no-contact policy to keep elephants and visitors safe.
According to In Defense of Animals (IDA), approximately 393 elephants are confined in North American zoos, circuses, and private properties as of 2024. This includes both elephants captured from the wild and those born in captivity. Many have endured decades of isolation, living alone without the companionship of other elephants.
IDA publishes an annual list of North America’s 10 worst zoos for elephants. These zoos are singled out for mistreating elephants, ranging from poor living conditions to unethical breeding practices. The top three offenders in 2024 include:
Several federal laws in the United States provide protections for elephants in captivity, though the scope and strength of these laws vary. The Animal Welfare Act (AWA), overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sets minimum standards for the care, housing, and handling of captive animals, including elephants used in zoos and entertainment. However, the AWA has been criticized for weak enforcement and outdated standards, and it does not apply to private individuals who own elephants but do not exhibit them.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA), administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also plays a role by prohibiting the import, export, and commercial use of endangered elephants, such as the Asian elephant, without a permit. This law can influence how captive elephants are transferred or sold, especially across state or national borders. Additionally, the African Elephant Conservation Act, passed in 1988, specifically targets the protection of African elephants by prohibiting ivory imports and funding conservation initiatives and anti-poaching programs in Africa.
Another layer of legal protection comes from the Lacey Act, which bans the trafficking of illegally obtained wildlife, including elephants and their ivory. While this law is primarily focused on preventing illegal trade, it can also apply to captive elephants brought into the U.S. under unlawful conditions. Similarly, the Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt (END) Wildlife Trafficking Act, enacted in 2016, strengthens U.S. efforts to fight wildlife trafficking through international cooperation and programs aimed at reducing demand for trafficked wildlife products. Furthermore, a 2016 rule under the ESA implemented a near-total ban on the commercial trade of African elephant ivory, with exceptions for preexisting antiques and specific items, such as musical instruments.
Beyond federal regulation, state and local laws are increasingly important. Several states, including California, New York, and Illinois, have enacted laws banning or restricting the use of elephants in circuses and traveling shows. Some municipalities go further by prohibiting private ownership or requiring strict permits for exotic animals. These varied legal protections reflect growing concern about the welfare of elephants in captivity and ongoing public pressure to end exploitative practices in entertainment and private keeping.
Internationally, the U.S. supports conservation through agreements such as the CITES, which regulates the trade of elephant parts and promotes global conservation. These laws and initiatives work together to address threats like poaching, habitat loss, and the illegal ivory trade. While the U.S. has these laws, it is essential to put into perspective that it still supports the export of elephants, as it voted against the proposal of a near-total ban on selling baby African elephants to zoos.
Even with these protections in place, we still need stronger enforcement and expanded measures to ensure long-term protection for wild elephants. The global ivory trade is valued at an estimated $23 billion annually, with ivory fetching around $3,300 per pound. This high market value provides strong incentives for poachers to continue killing elephants for their tusks, and poor countries like Zimbabwe to support the sale of ivory.
The best solution for captive elephants is to move them to true sanctuaries, where they can live in more natural environments. Sanctuaries like the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in California, and Elephant Refuge North America in Georgia offer vast spaces for elephants to roam and individualized care that addresses their physical and psychological needs.
Sanctuaries provide a much-needed alternative to zoos for elephants that cannot be released into the wild. By supporting sanctuaries and advocating for better treatment of elephants, we can help alleviate the suffering of those still in captivity.
Zoos are not the solution to the conservation crisis facing elephants. Instead, they contribute to the problem by exploiting these animals for profit and, even with legal restrictions in place, manage to remove them from their wild homes.
If we genuinely care about elephants and their future, we need to advocate for their freedom. This means supporting real sanctuaries, opposing zoos, and pushing for stronger legislation to protect elephants from exploitation. By doing so, we can help ensure that future generations of elephants live free, as they were meant to.
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