76 percent of UK wants animals out of zoos

London - Big cats, rhinos, and elephants can be found at zoos across the UK but a new survey wants Brits them out of zoos. How do Kiwis feel about wild animals in zoos here being locked in cages all their lives?

The new survey findings have revealed that more than three quarters of the UK want the next government to end large animal captivity in zoos.

The survey, commissioned by international wildlife charity Born Free, was presented to 2000 adults.

It found that 76 percent consider it very or quite important for large animals to be phased out of attractions. This would mean no more captive big cats, elephants, giraffes, and rhinos (plus more) in zoos and wildlife parks.

This compelling statistic shows there is a tide of public support for Born Free’s founding principle on which the charity has campaigned for nearly four decades, Plant Based News UK says.

“Clearly, politicians and decision-makers can no longer afford to ignore those seeking to end the archaic, unethical, and damaging practice of keeping large animals in zoos.”

Alongside calling for an end to animal captivity, which frequently fails to live up to existing welfare standards, the UK public wants animal legislation to improve.

Central to the report is that 93 percent of the UK regards animal welfare as very or quite important. People aged 25 to 34 were the most likely to regard it as such (95 percent). Meanwhile, those over 65 were the least likely (87 percent).

Other findings include 85 percent of people wanting to see a ban on endangered or vulnerable animal hunting trophies imports. The laws surrounding the buying and keeping of exotic pets should also be tightened, according to 83 percent of respondents.

However, it’s not just animals within the UK that are being considered. As many as 82 percent of people want the next UK government to support the eradication of global animal cruelty. It was suggested that trade deals could be used as leverage.

Such a move could impact regular barbaric hunts such as dolphin slaughters in the Faroes.

Born Free refers to its survey findings as evidence of public support for changes to wildlife legislation.