Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Working for an END to the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity while delivering improved animal welfare standards
Through investigation, advocacy and campaigns, ENDCAP seeks to ensure that, as a minimum, all European Member States (and Applicant Countries) must fully implement and enforce the requirements of the Directive 1999/22/EC (relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos). Ultimately, ENDCAP believes that wild animals belong in the wild and at every opportunity, ENDCAP challenges the self-justifications used by zoos and, further, the concept of keeping wild animals in captivity. 
There are a growing number of European facilities holding whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as cetaceans) in captivity for display to the public, circus-style shows, and interaction programmes such as swimming with dolphins and dolphin assisted therapy. ENDCAP campaigns against the keeping of dolphins and whales in captivity in Europe. We raise awareness of the consequences, to both individual animals and wild populations, of the wild capture of these animals from their natural habitat and their inherent unsuitability to the captive environment. 
ENDCAP is opposed to the use of wild animals in circuses and through gathering and sharing information, scientific documentation and visual evidence, ENDCAP seeks to raise greater awareness about the plight of wild animals in circuses in Europe. Working together with Member States ENDCAP seeks to help achieve national bans in the use of all wild animals in circuses and promote the cultural significance of circuses without animals. 
The illegal trade in wild animals is perhaps one of the greatest threats to the survival of a number of endangered species. European demand for wild animals as pets is a major contributor to this threat. ENDCAP is against the keeping of wild animals as pets and seeks to raise greater awareness about the welfare needs of those wild animal species commonly kept by private individuals. ENDCAP additionally seeks to gather information on hunting, wild-capture and illegal trade of wild animals in the EU, whilst lobbying for stricter enforcement of CITES and the need for improved legislation in Member States. 
Acknowledging that many zoos in Europe face possible closure, being unable to meet the requirements of the EU zoos Directive, and the possibility that additional wild animals may well be displaced from circuses and the pet trade, ENDCAP advocates the need for the European Commission and Member State governments to establish regulated, non-breeding animal sanctuaries throughout Europe. 
