Poor living conditions, stress plague elephants in Korean zoos
Only one of 10 elephants that died at Korean zoos and other captive facilities from known causes was recorded as having died of natural causes related to old age, a new report has found. Most facilities kept indoor enclosures — spaces where animals can stay out of public view — closed during visiting hours, with keepers explaining that they did so because visitors complained when elephants went…
A new report has revealed poor living conditions and stress afflict elephants in Korean zoos. Only one of ten elephants that died due to known causes was found to have passed away naturally from old age, according to a survey released by the animal rights group Animal Liberation Wave. The average age of these elephants at death was 32.1 years old.
Cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, alongside foot and joint disorders, emerged as the leading causes of death among the deceased elephants. These health issues, the report suggests, stem from the animals' confined living spaces, hard flooring, and lack of exercise, all factors inherent to captive environments. The survey was conducted at nine facilities housing elephants across the nation, spanning from March to June of this year.
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- Poor living conditions, stress plague elephants in Korean zoos koreatimes.co.kr
