UK updates zoo welfare rules with bigger spaces for elephants

The United Kingdom (UK) has introduced the first significant update to its zoo and aquarium welfare standards since 2012.

The new Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain, published by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), aim to enhance animal welfare and conservation efforts.

Zoos must now provide larger enclosures for elephants, giving them more space that reflects their natural habitats. Zoos will need bigger aviaries to keeping birds of prey. They cannot keep them in small cages.

Another major change is the ban on touching marine animals like fish, rays, and octopuses, as this can cause stress to these intelligent creatures.

Zoos and aquariums have two years to implement these changes. Additional requirements focus on conservation, such as improved record-keeping, breeding programs for endangered species, behavioral research, and public education on conservation.

The new standards also mention safety measures, including double-gated entry systems, protections for employees when they work alone, and plans for animal care in case of financial hardship.

Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Hayman described the reforms as part of a generation’s most ambitious animal welfare reforms.

“We are a nation of animal lovers, and our best zoos and aquariums are truly world leaders in setting the standard for how wild animals should be kept,” he added.

Leaders from organizations like the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) welcomed the updates, stating they align with public expectations and reinforce the UK’s global leadership in zoo care and conservation.

“For too long, zoos have been misunderstood as places of entertainment, but these new standards make it unmistakably clear: modern, good zoos put wildlife first. They are hubs for conservation, education, and world-leading animal care,” Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, said.

Summary UK Zoo Welfare Standards 2025

The updated Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain outline how zoos and aquariums must care for animals, focusing on welfare, conservation, education, and safety. These are the first major changes since 2012.

Key animal welfare improvements

• Bigger enclosures: Especially for large animals like elephants, to reflect their natural behavior and movement.
• End of tethering: Long-term tethering of birds of prey is to be phased out. They must live in larger aviaries.
• No touching marine animals: Visitors can no longer touch fish, rays, or cephalopods like octopuses.
• Animal training: Must be based on positive reinforcement only, never using pain or fear.
• Enrichment and social needs: Zoos must allow animals to behave naturally and live in proper social groups.

Conservation and education

• Zoos must keep clear records of all animals, including births, deaths, and transfers.
• They must join recognized breeding programs for endangered species.
• Zoos must provide accurate and up-to-date information to the public on conservation and the animals they house.

Veterinary and staff care

• A named veterinary surgeon must be available for each zoo.
• Regular health checks and emergency care plans must be in place.
• Staff must be trained to understand animal behavior and welfare needs.

Safety and emergency

• Safety rules include secure barriers and double-gated entry for dangerous animals.
• Staff working alone must be protected with clear communication systems.
• Zoos must have a plan to continue caring for animals during financial problems or natural disasters.