Overview

• The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has introduced updated welfare regulations for zoos and aquariums, the first revision since 2012.
• New rules require larger enclosures for elephants, prohibit long-term tethering of birds of prey, and ban visitor interactions with fish and cephalopods.
• Zoos must enhance conservation efforts, including stricter record-keeping, breeding programs for endangered species, and public education initiatives.
• Safety measures include double-gated entry systems, lone-worker protections, and contingency plans for financial crises affecting animal care.
• The reforms align with the government's broader animal welfare goals, with key support from organizations like BIAZA and ZSL to ensure implementation.