Elephant saved from captivity
March 2004

	Captive elephants resort to stereotypic behaviour to try to cope with the stress of captivity
	Wild animals belong in the wild, not in captivity Elephants are very social animals and to keep one on her own is cruel Elephants suffer both physically and mentally in captivity Elephants normally walk up to 17 miles each day and the average home range for Asian elephants is around 113 km² Many people are killed and seriously injured by elephants in zoos and circuses

Skegness Town Council has turned down an offer of an elephant as a 'gift' to the town following receipt of a report by the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS).

The offer was formally declined at a meeting of the Council on 10 March. A local resident had proposed to buy an elephant in India to be used for tourism purposes in the town.

CAPS had provided the Council with a nine-page report on the welfare problems and public safety risks related to keeping elephants in captivity.

CAPS had also encouraged our supporters to contact the Council with their views (see Jumbo 'gift'), and according to the Town Clerk hundreds of people from all over the world, including Mexico and Australia, wrote to oppose the keeping of an elephant.

Not one single person had contacted the Council to support the gift.

Following the Council meeting a spokesperson for the Captive Animals' Protection Society said:

"We are very pleased that Skegness Town Council has made the sensible decision, for both the welfare of animals and people, to decline the offer of an elephant. Wild animals do not belong in captivity and such large and powerful animals pose a clear and serious danger to public safety.

"We now hope that Dr Kodali, who made the offer, will take up our suggestion of making a more suitable gift such as funding wildlife gardens at local schools, where people can really learn about wildlife without causing suffering."

WHAT YOU CAN DO

	For more information about elephants in captivity see the elephant pages on this website.
	Boycott all circuses with animals and all zoos.
	Become a CAPS supporter - you can help to make a difference.