CHESTER Zoo defended itself against criticism from an animal welfare organisation last night which says it has breached RSPCA guidelines over the birth of an elephant.
The 180kg male calf, who has not yet been named, was born at the zoo two weeks ago and is the second this year.
However, the Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS) has hit out at the zoo for continuing to breed the animals two years after the RSPCA called for the practice to end.
Craig Redmond, campaigns officer for the Captive Animals' Protection Society, an organisation which has campaigned for the protection of animals in zoos, circuses, and the entertainment industry since 1957, said:
"Elephants do not belong in zoos, and while having a baby elephant may do wonders for a zoo's publicity it does nothing for conservation. International conservation organisations would prefer to see better protection of elephant habitats and controls on poaching instead of captive breeding."
In October 2002, the RSPCA released the most comprehensive study into the welfare of elephants in European zoos.
It was conducted by two Oxford University scientists and found that elephants in zoos live on average for about 15 years, compared to the 30 years those in Asian timber camps survive.
In the wild they can expect to reach 60-65.
It sites deficient enclosures, poor diet, illness, inappropriate social groupings, and rough treatment at the hands of their keepers as the reasons.
In the wild they live in large family groups, up to fifty strong, and may walk up to 17km every day. In captivity they often suffer from foot infections and arthritis because of the unnatural conditions, as well as behavioural problems due to the lack of stimulation.
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