Amur Leopard in the Colchester Zoo.Photo: Keven Law/WikimediaThis week, ENDCAP launches a new document 'Animal Welfare Excellence in Europe' which outlines the measures that could facilitate better care and welfare for the thousands of wild animals held in captive conditions that currently do not even meet their basic needs – Europe's Forgotten Animals. ENDCAP is the European network to END the keeping of wild animals in CAPtivity.Early indications from research being undertaken by ENDCAP clearly indicate that the European Community is still failing in its responsibilities to adequately care for and protect wild animals in captivity.
Wild animals in zoos, dolphinaria and circuses throughout the European community are kept in appalling conditions. ENDCAPs investigations have revealed that the application of laws designed to safeguard the welfare of these animals is dependent upon the will, knowledge, experience and available resources of each Member State and is therefore vulnerable to enormous variations in application. Put simply, we are currently failing to provide appropriate care for tens of thousands of wild animals in captivity.
WDCS and ENDCAP are calling on the European Community to include the protection of wild animals in captivity as part of the 2010-2014 Community Action Plan on the Protection and Welfare of Animals.
