An Oxford University report, funded by the RSPCA, found the lifespan of elephants kept in European zoos was dramatically shorter than elephants working in timber camps in Asia and those living in the wild.

There are currently thought to be approximately 500 elephants in zoos and circuses in Europe.

The Federation of Zoos says it has published new guidelines on keeping elephants which should lengthen the lifespan of captive animals.

Is it time to stop keeping elephants in zoos? Tell us what you think.

This debate is now closed. A selection of your e-mails is published below.

Well, elephants in captivity may live unhealthy lives because in the wild poachers kill them for flesh and ivory. So really, they wouldn't have much of a life at all. So can't the government make it better for them, they could just as easily ban poaching? Or give more money to zoos?
Bekah, 12, UK

Why should the good zoos close because of the bad ones?

Anne, Germany

Why should the good zoos close just because of the bad ones? One elephant in Dresden zoo was born in 1959 and is still going strong; the elephants have a reasonably large space to live in and walk around the whole zoo several times a day. They certainly seem happy and playful. And why focus on one animal only? We should either close the zoos completely or spend our time thinking how to improve them.
Anne, Germany

Elephants have become pats for many villagers and tribal people in South Asian nations. For Hindus, they are revered people. I think they can become very friendly and learn to live in the company of human beings very quickly. I am sure they will be safer with the Mahouts, rather than in zoos or in the wild. There are instances when these tuskers have strayed in populated areas causing panic and extensive damage to the property and crops.
Mahesh Chandra Somani, India

Zoos should only be in operation if they can help the preservation of a species. Animals that can survive on their own in the wild without the threat of extinction, then they shouldn't be forced into captivity.
Jen Y, Maryland, USA

I don't think the poor elephants have much chance in their natural habitats either. They are hunted and killed by poachers for ivory, their feet are used for ornaments and their bodies left to rot. Who knows if life in captivity is better for them or should we let them take their chances with the hunters?
Patricia Martchenko, Canada

All animals in zoos must be rehabilitated and reintroduced in the wild

Shashi, India

All animals in zoos must be rehabilitated and reintroduced in the wild. Sadly, there is not enough pristine land for animals because of humans have altered the nature to suit his own needs. The only regions in the world untouched by humans are the Arctic, Antarctic, and Amazon. Nevertheless, these areas are inhospitable to the survival of elephants. African and Asian countries should designate more forests as national parks and step up security to nab the poachers.
Shashi, India

Should zoos let elephants pack their trunks? No, they should have their valets do it.
Tom, USA

Undoubtedly no animal should be kept in any conditions that are harmful to it, especially when zoos are no longer really required for educational purposes. Nevertheless, we are talking about animals on the verge of extinction which will need to be conserved by breeding away from the poacher. So while conditions need to be improved people should remember that harmful human activity needs to be curbed first; it would not do for our indignation over imperfect conditions to condemn an animal to extinction.
Gary, England

"We preserve only what we love, love only what we know, know only what we are taught." Sad though it is that these magnificent animals are in captivity, I believe the above quote provides some justification for zoos. We must, however, work to ensure that standards in zoos are improved and that animal welfare in them is always the prime concern, not human entertainment.
Pete, UK

Zoos are a throw-back to Victorian times

Matt, UK

Zoos are a throw-back to Victorian times, when most people lived, worked and died within a few miles of home, never visiting foreign lands and seeing strange beasts. Today, with a more travelled population, and excellent informative wildlife programmes such as Life on Earth and Blue Planet why do we need to keep elephants in Chester? Such information and awareness of our planets biodiversity is piped into homes every night. I would however support captive breeding programmes for endangered species, with a view to supplementing wild population levels.
Matt, UK

Elephants will never be free in this day and age. In Sri Lanka the Asian elephant is threatened by poachers. New village settlements also threaten the elephant's natural habitat. In Sri Lanka there are specific reserves that contain large herds of elephants, sadly the people that go on these safaris ruin the jungle by throwing garbage, playing loud music and generally disturbing the habitat. Stricter controls need to be introduced and the public educated on the value of flora and fauna.
Tina Gunawardhana, United Kingdom

The need for zoos has now been negated by the fact that TV provides spectacular footage of animals living naturally in the wild. This gives a much better impression of the beauty of these animals rather than seeing soulless looking animals pacing back and forth at zoos deprived of their natural habitat.
David , Scotland

The RSPCA seems to be getting increasingly forthright in their views on animal welfare. If zoos are to wrong then surely keeping any pet is? Whether it is a canary in a cage or a dog in the house.
R, UK

We can't all afford to go on safari

Christian, France

If zoos provide suitable enclosures, then why not? They're an invaluable education tool for children, adults and vets trying to learn more about how to save rare animals. The problem is that so many zoos are not well designed. Here in Lyon there's a free zoo and the enclosures are horribly small - it's sickening to see lions and elephants pacing backwards and forwards. If they could charge an entry fee and then use the money to build large enclosures everyone would be happy. After all, we can't all afford to go on safari.
Christian, France

Zoos serve a useful purpose - education and research, and create an awareness among the visiting public. However, there are zoos out there that are a disgrace and cause harm to the animals housed there. These should be closed. Zoos could be used as a positive tool advocating the rehabilitation and conservation of these same animals' natural habitats.
Rob Singh, Toronto, Canada

Elephants can thrive in captivity

David, UK

I've just been to Sri Lanka and seen the marvellous Pinnawela sanctuary which shows that elephants can thrive in captivity. However they're kept in the right climate in a large herd and are attended by keepers that clearly love them. I just don't think it's possible to do the same thing in Europe.
David, UK

Zoos should be closed, especially for the big animals (elephants, the big cats, hippos, deer and bears). If people want to see big animals, then they should go to where they are wild and view them there. Keeping big animals in captivity in a zoo is an old Victorian, antiquated idea.
Sandra R, Switzerland

Zoos are useful for raising public awareness about biodiversity and the protection of endangered species. Having visited two zoos in Kent with strong standards of animal care and linkages to conservation and breeding projects, I feel that there are blueprints for keeping animals in humane and responsible ways which could be followed by others.
Neil, UK

Better an elephant lives only 10 years free than 30 years in captivity

Natalie, Israel

Better an elephant lives only 10 years free than 30 years in captivity. Let all elephants roam free - nature will work things out for them, not mankind.
Natalie, Israel

Why only elephants, why not other animals?
ADB, India

It's time to close down zoos, immediately after we have made sure that all the species survive in the wild and after we have cleaned up the environment and restored and efficiently protected the species' habitat. It hurts me to see the conditions in most zoos, but it's not time to close them down yet. For the time being, perhaps we can lobby for improvement of conditions in zoos.
Jana Mullerova, Czech Rep

The modern large zoos recreate the natural habitat and these great beasts live comfortable lives, far away from the great dangers of their diminishing pastures in the wild. The old zoos with the cramped cages are disgraceful. It's all too clear to see the animals in these places suffering mental illness.
Neal Richardson, USA/UK

Elephants have higher chances of survival in zoos

Igonikon Jack, USA

Elephants have higher chances of survival in zoos, because of risks of poaching for their prized ivory tusks which fetch a lot of money in the black market. In zoos, they are well-fed, kept in realistic and sometimes, natural habitats and surroundings. They have trained vets to monitor their health needs and treat them in special animal clinics if they are sick.
Igonikon Jack, USA

Conservation is essential during the current human epidemic but this should not be an excuse for subjecting wild animals to the daily humiliation and discomfort of zoo life.
Mike, Lancashire, UK

I love going to zoos

Nigel, UK

I love going to zoos but half the time end up feeling appalled at the conditions and lack of space. More drastic action needs to be taken, not just for the elephants, but start with them, it is shocking.
Nigel, UK

Has anyone been to Chester Zoo recently? The space and conditions are excellent. We take our daughter there often - and without such places I don't believe we'd see elephants ever.
Jeff, UK

I don't believe zoos serve any useful purpose. Most are cramped and the animals in poor condition. They are better off in the wild, and funds could be transferred from zoos to ensure that natural habitats and poacher protection is assured. I will never visit a zoo or circus as I consider them cruel and nothing more than a means of extorting monies from people to see animals suffering.
Steve T, England

I agree with Steve T and Nigel. Zoos are cruel and unnecessary. I love to see animals but only in their natural environment. What gives us the right to cage any animal and stare as part of our leisure time?
Ross, UK

Perhaps it is time, but I don't think those elephants already in captivity could be easily returned to the wild. Besides, there are actually more African elephants in the wild at the moment than the savannah can support. Zoos should be conservation centres to protect the endangered.
Russ, UK

It's time to close down zoos altogether.
Carl, Liverpool, UK