Statement on Keeping of Solitary Elephants, Male and Female, in Captivity
Keeping an elephant solitary goes against the most basic principles of animal welfare. All observations of the fundamental nature of elephants indicate they are highly social beings with intricate social lives that are crucial to their health and welfare. Depriving captive elephants of the company of other socially-compatible conspecifics must be avoided for the sake of their physical and mental well-being.
ESAI opposes the keeping of solitary, singly-confined elephants, of African and Asian species, in any form of captivity. (“Solitary” refers to an elephant held entirely alone at a facility with no other elephants.) All evidence shows it to profoundly contradict the basic elements of their biology.
ESAI_Statement-on-Exhibition-of-Single-Elephants-in-Captivity