Why is lots of space so important for captive elephants – when they have food and water provided for them?
Members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) have stated that there is no scientific evidence that elephants require ample space and some individuals have argued that elephants only move about in the wild because they have to. It is true that wild elephants move greater distances (many tens of kilometers a day) in areas with lower food and water availability than they do in areas where resources are in rich supply (perhaps 7-15 kilometers). But, it is an enormous leap of logic to suggest that because elephants have food, water, security and semen presented “on a plate” or “in a tube” in captivity they, therefore, don’t need more than the 2,200 sq ft of space (204 sq m) that the AZA currently recommends. By this logic we might suggest that human beings, being about 2% the body weight of an elephant would do fine living in 44 sq ft (4 sq m), if we were provided food, water and breeding partners. We don’t think so. Confined in 44 sq ft, most of us would develop health and be
