Europes Forgotten Animals

The image of wild animals kept in barren zoo enclosures with concrete floors and no enrichment; elephants shackled to the floor before and after their ‘performance’ in the circus ring; a dolphin trained to balance a ball; a monkey dressed as superman paraded on a leash and used for souvenir photographs: real images some would associate, perhaps, with Mexico or countries in Asia, but these are examples of wild animals exploited in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of wild animals are kept in unacceptable conditions and used in demeaning performances to ‘entertain’ the European public.

Despite the European Treaty omitting to protect the wellbeing of animals in the European Union, there is a Protocol, adopted by the Amsterdam Treaty in 1997, that recognises all animals as sentient beings[1] that can experience pain, suffering and distress.

Of the 24 main Community legislative provisions associated with animal welfare and protection within the European Community, the majority are dedicated to animals used in food production[2].  Only one, EC Directive 1999/22/EC (relating to the keeping of wild animals in zoos), is specific to wild animals in captivity and this is primarily aimed at conserving biodiversity. It stipulates that zoos should ‘aim to satisfy the biological needs’ of animals. This is a vague requirement and allows inconsistencies in interpretation and application.  There is no explanation or guidance available as to what constitutes the ‘biological needs’ of an animal or how these needs can be best provided for.  By requesting zoos to ‘aim to satisfy’ the biological needs of their animals, no mandatory requirements are implied and the language is ambiguous.  The outcome and the delivery of animal welfare standards is therefore dependent upon the will, knowledge, experience and available resources of each Member State and this has resulted in enormous variation in the standards delivered to animals in captivity. 

In 2006 the UK-based international wild animal welfare and conservation organisation, the Born Free Foundation, founded the coalition, ENDCAP, specifically to address the persistent poor standards of welfare for captive wild animals in Europe and to encourage like-minded organisations to work together to seek greater protection. In 2007, ENDCAP brought the issue to the attention of the European Community, acknowledging that although 75% of national law is decided in Europe, negligible protection is given to wild animals. Lobbying the European Institutions is vital in achieving our objectives to increase the protection of wild animals in captivity in Europe. In October 2007, ENDCAP held a press conference and reception at the European Parliament that officially launched the initiative Europe’s Forgotten Animals.

[1] Protocol annexed to the Treaty of the European Community - Protocol on protection and welfare of animals. Official Journal C 340 , 10/11/1997 p. 0110

[2] http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/welfare/references_en.htm. Accessed 31/10/09