20 country investigations

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EU ZOO INQUIRY 2011
20 country investigations
Dialogue with 27 Member States
Total of 22 reports
www.euzooinquiry.eu
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The Directive (1999/22/EC)The Zoo is a

• permanent establishments where animals of wild
  species are kept for exhibition to the public for
  7 or more days a year, with the exception of
  circuses, pet shops

This includes the Traditional zoo, animal
(safari) park, aquarium, dolphinaria, park with
aviary, falconry centre, butterfly farm,
specialist zoo, farm park with wild animals,
sanctuary with wild animals (open to the public
7 days of more)..
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Data collection

• National animal protection legislation
• National zoo legislation
• Member State legislators
• Member State enforcement authorities
• Management of randomly-selected zoos
• Assessment of 200 zoos
• Conditions of thousands of animals

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? Transposition Eight EU countries had failed to
transpose the requirements of the Directive
1999/22/EC into national law.
? Implementation Hundreds of zoos were believed
to be unlicensed but fully operational. Three
countries did not have an inspectorate.
? Enforcement Lacking in all EU countries.
Limited expertise and knowledge.
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• Compliance with national law
• Few zoos are meeting all their legal
  requirements.
• 16 / 20 EU countries did not significantly
  contribute to conservation
• The majority of species kept in zoos were of low
  conservation significance
• The majority of the zoos did not have an
  education programme
• The majority of assessed animals were kept in
  substandard conditions
• In many cases, animals were used in degrading
  performances
• Animals were seen escaping from zoos into the
  natural environment
• Public health and safety was being put at risk
• Unlicensed, but operational zoos appear to exist
  in all MS.

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Animal welfare
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Animal welfare/ Public safety
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CONCLUSIONS

• MS Competent Authorities lack knowledge and
  expertise to effectively interpret and apply the
  requirements, and penalise non-compliance.
• Zoo inspectors lack knowledge and experience.
  Inspections lack structure and therefore,
  consistency poor enforcement substandard
• State veterinarians lack the knowledge and
  expertise to effectively assess the well-being of
  wild animal species, identify poor welfare and
  address it.
• Zoo operators in many MS do not know how to
  provide appropriate care for their animals. Many
  zoos are often left to their own devices.
• Overall, zoos are not meeting their
  responsibilities to the conservation of
  biodiversity as required by Directive 1999/22 and
  Article 9 of CBD.

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OUTCOMES

• Ensured a common understanding of animal
  welfare.
• Animals in zoos and wild animals in captivity
  are acknowledged within the EU Strategy for the
  Protection and Welfare of Animals 2012 - 2015
• Capacity-building - training of veterinarians in
  understanding the welfare of wild animals in
  captivity (in Budapest, Barcelona, Riga, Sinaia
  Italy).
• Development of the EU Zoos Directive Guidance and
  Best Practice Document - to assist Member State
  Competent Authorities.
• Some Member States have changed their national
  laws to ensure compliance with the EC Directive
  1999/22.
• First conference dedicated to the welfare of
  Wild animals in captivity.

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REMAINING OBSTACLES

• MS national and regional legislation lack detail
  and explanation.
• Multiple government departments involved in zoo
  regulation in MS, which often causes confusion
  and ineffective enforcement.
• The majority of MS Competent Authorities lack
  knowledge and expertise to effectively apply the
  requirements. Many open, but unlicensed zoos.
• If inspections are taking place, many fail to
  ensure legal compliance.
• State veterinarians lack the expertise in wild
  animal welfare.
• No evidence-based husbandry standards
  environmental enrichment.
• Animal performances consisting of circus-style
  stunts and tricks.
• Generally zoos are non-compliant with the
  obligations of the Directive.
• Whilst associated zoos generally perform better,
  this is not guaranteed.

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EUROPEAN ZOOS A BRAND OF EXCELLENCE?
Breeding hybrids
Use of negative reinforcement
Pinioning
Sub-standard conditions
Performing unnatural behaviour
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Is there a future for ZOOS in the EU?

• All non-compliant zoos are humanely closed.
• Number of zoos in each MS are consolidated into
  only those capable of meeting the Directives
  requirements.
• All EU zoos belong to a national and/or European
  zoo association that continues to encourage high
  standards in animal care and legal compliance.
• All zoos implement an evolving public education
  programme that does not negatively impact on the
  welfare of the animals.
• Zoos are actively involved in conservation
  initiatives (ex situ in situ) for at least 50
  of all species within their collection.
• Zoos do not keep those species where captivity is
  known to severely compromise their welfare and
  survival.

Born Frees opinion that species conservation
cannot be achieved through keeping animals in
zoos remains unchanged
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