ZooCheck on Singapore Zoo!

Back in September 2008, ACRES conducted a ZooCheck on Singapore Zoo! Here's a summary of our findings...

The Singapore Zoo claims on its website that it “is a model of the ‘open zoo’ concept” and that “oppressive cages which typify old zoos, are absent”.

ACRES, however, notes that the cougar and ocelots (see photos) are still housed in what can be considered oppressive cages which require urgent attention and improvements.

In addition, WRS, the parent company of the Singapore Zoo has a Policy and Guidelines on Animal Welfare & Ethics. Based on this investigation, it is clear that the Singapore Zoo has not adhered to this policy and guidelines.

The policy and guidelines state that “All exhibits must be of such size and volume as to allow the animal to express its natural behaviour. Enclosures must contain sufficient material to allow behavioural enrichment and allow the animal to express natural behaviours.” Based on the investigation, numerous animals at the zoo are unable to express many of their natural behaviours in their current exhibits.

The high incidence of abnormal behaviours, particularly stereotypic behaviours, among the animals observed was of great concern. Most stereotypic behaviours occur when animals have failed to cope with or remove themselves from stressful situations. The majority of species investigated displayed abnormal behaviours, including stereotypic behaviours, during the course of our investigation. Stereotypic pacing behaviours were displayed by species including the polar bears, Malayan sun bears, tigers, jaguars, leopards, ocelots and the cougars. The male polar bear also displayed stereotypic swimming behaviour and the female exhibited stereotypic tongue-playing behaviour. One of the elephants displayed stereotypic swaying behaviour.

Several of the animals, namely the polar bears, one Malayan sun bear, the Bengal tigers, jaguars and the leopard were highly inactive, indicating inadequacies in their living conditions and husbandry practices and the fact that their behavioural needs were not being fulfilled. They appeared to have reached a state of “learned helplessness”. In an effort to cope with frustration, boredom and other chronic stressors, animals may gradually close themselves off from their environment, rather than interact with it.

A major concern for all of the enclosures inspected was the lack of space for the animals. Although several of the enclosures were fairly complex and represented, to some degree, the animals’ natural habitat, in several cases the animals simply did not have enough space to engage in natural movements and behaviours. The jaguar enclosure was an example of an enclosure which was fairly complex, but far too small for the species, particularly for two individuals.

Some enclosures, however, were not only small, but also of totally unsuitable design. The polar bear enclosure was in the most urgent need of attention, followed by the cougar and ocelot enclosures. All of these enclosures are far too small for the animals, as well as being of unsuitable design and lacking in basic requirements.

The fact that the polar bear enclosure was open-air, in a tropical environment, was of major concern. Both bears were seen to be panting excessively and apparently trying to dissipate heat from their bodies. The enclosure was exceptionally small, especially for such a large, nomadic species, and was barren with little to occupy the bears. As such, it was no surprise that both bears were engaged in various stereotypies. The polar bear enclosure needs to be made larger and cooler as a matter of urgency.

There appeared to be insufficient enrichment devices in all enclosures, and very little ad-hoc enrichment was seen to be given at the time of our investigation. We recommend that more enrichment be provided for all animals.

The fact that the animals were given the token feedings at the same time every day was of concern. Token feedings can be a valuable enrichment tool, but only if the feedings are at random times of the day and therefore not expected. We recommend that token feedings are provided at varied times every day.

Another major concern was the use of elephants in shows in which they were made to perform unnatural and demeaning behaviours such as pretending to be ‘helicopters’, presumably to get a laugh from the audience.

This again goes against the WRS Policy and Guidelines on Animal Welfare & Ethics which clearly states that “presentations must focus on natural behaviour”.

The shows give a totally inaccurate impression of the true nature of elephants. The unnatural tricks the elephants were made to perform throughout the show were also of a welfare concern since training may involve force and cruel methods.

ACRES also notes that the ankus or elephant hook was used repeatedly during the shows, apparently to make the elephants perform. The use of the ankus is clearly unpleasant for the elephants and at times appears painful.

ACRES recommends that Singapore Zoo stops the use of the ankus and, ultimately, stops the elephant show.