A Global Commitment to End Elephant Captivity

Whereas elephants are autonomous, highly intelligent, and socially sophisticated beings who possess complex cognitive and emotional capabilities, including self-awareness, theory of mind, problem-solving abilities, an understanding of causation, referential and intentional communication, extensive long-term memory, categorization abilities, empathy, and mourning rituals in response to death;

Whereas extensive scientific research has demonstrated that elephants suffer immensely in captivity due to the inability to engage in their natural behaviors, the deprivation of social networks, the confinement to small and inadequate spaces, and the physical and psychological harm inflicted by restrictive and unnatural conditions;

Whereas longevity alone is not an adequate measure of health or welfare, and elephants in captivity continue to exhibit signs of chronic stress, learned helplessness, and stereotypic behaviors which are absent in wild elephant populations;

Whereas biomedical studies have found that captive conditions can result in neural degeneration and compromised brain health in elephants, mirroring the neurological effects of trauma and depression in humans;

Whereas elephants in captivity are forced to participate in physically and emotionally harmful breeding programs, which not only result in few live births, but do not aid in the conservation of the species as elephants born in captivity remain there for the duration of their lives and are subjected to the same cruel practices as their parents;

Whereas the international community has increasingly recognized the ethical and scientific basis for prohibiting elephant captivity, as evidenced by legislative action, true sanctuary rescues and transfers, and judicial rulings acknowledging the cognitive and emotional complexity of elephants;

Whereas numerous jurisdictions around the world have taken legal and policy steps to prohibit or phase out elephant captivity, recognizing that the complex needs of elephants cannot be met in zoos or any other captive environments;

Whereas courts around the world have begun recognizing that elephants and other autonomous nonhuman animals may possess legal rights, including the right to bodily liberty, as exemplified by decisions in Argentina, Pakistan, and India that have resulted in the release of captive nonhuman animals to sanctuaries;

Whereas the public increasingly rejects the captivity of elephants and supports efforts to end their exploitation, as evidenced by declining attendance at elephant performances and growing advocacy on the elephants’ behalf;

Whereas legal scholars, ethicists, and jurists increasingly recognize that elephants are autonomous beings entitled to fundamental legal rights, including the right to bodily liberty;

Whereas the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s African Elephant Specialist Group opposes the removal of elephants from the wild, finds no value to their conservation in any such transfers, and rejects the use of elephants for any captive purpose;

Whereas the continued captivity of elephants in zoos, circuses, and other exploitative industries constitutes a violation of their autonomy and an unjust denial of their fundamental interests in living freely in their natural habitats;

Whereas ending the continued captivity of elephants and protecting their birthright to roam freely in their native lands would align with and strengthen principles of justice, liberty, fairness, and environmental conservation by ensuring that future generations of elephants can thrive in the wild;

Therefore, we, the undersigned scientists, philosophers, legislators, zoologists, legal scholars, animal welfare professionals, veterinarians, biologists, elephant caregivers, advocates, and religious leaders, call for an end to the keeping of elephants in captivity and for the recognition and protection of their right to live freely in their natural habitats. We urge the following:

1.     The current worldwide population of captive elephants must be the last—with captive breeding programs and the importation of wild-caught elephants coming to an end. 
2.     Legislative bodies, courts, and other governmental entities must take immediate action to prohibit elephant captivity and enshrine legal protections ensuring that future elephant generations remain free in the wild. 
3.     The autonomy and dignity of the remaining captive elephants must be prioritized, by reintegrating viable candidates to wild herds, transferring elephants to reputable sanctuaries where feasible, and improving the living spaces for those who must remain in their current confines.

Signed,