ELEFANTEN-SCHUTZ EUROPA E.V.

EUROPEAN ELEPHANT GROUP

Dokumentation 2002 - Elefanten in Zoos und Safariparks Europa; (auch in
(English Version)

Elefanten-
Magazin Nr. 16
Dez. 2009
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Survey 2006

Resp. to the Oxford University Report (funded by the RSPCA): „Elephant Husbandry in European Zoos”

The Association  Elephant Sanctuary Europe, in cooperation with the European Elephant Group which has compiled the most extensive database about elephants in zoos and circuses, analyses the Oxford University Report (which was funded by the RSPCA - The UK´s Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals).

The statement will be ready in early 2003. It will bring to light to what extent this report on behalf of the RSPCA tells the whole story or whether important details are given in a reprehensible manor.

We have massive doubts about the acumen of the authors of the study. The two Oxford scientists are reviewing the husbandry of elephants in European zoos.
This means no less than 104 zoos (not included in this figure are Safari Parks).

The authors only visited 3 (!) zoos in England:

• London Zoo (who stopped keeping elephants in December 2001),
• Whipsnade Wild Animal Park (Zoological Society of London´s
                                                 countryside zoo) and
• Chester (visit before the remarkable extension of the elephant facilities).

This means that less than  3 % of the available knowledge on the elephant facilities in Europe were the foundation for this report!

As a comparison, who can comment on restaurants in general when your only experience is eating at McDonald´s!

Elefanten-Schutz Europa e.V.
For the board

A. Haufellner          J. Schilfarth

P.S.: We are sure that our analysis of this Oxford University Report will be very informative. The publication of the statement in English and German language will only be possible through sponsoring. (contents ca. 32 pages, 1000 copies edition).