British zoos and aquariums must now follow stricter animal welfare rules under what the government calls the most significant update in over a decade. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) published the new “Standards of Modern Zoo Practice 2027” on May 24, setting higher requirements for how animals are kept and treated. The changes focus on giving animals more space and ending practices considered harmful to their wellbeing. Zoos have two years to meet most of these standards, with some specific changes having longer deadlines. What’s changing for zoo animals? Elephants will get much larger enclosures – … Continue reading UK Zoo Standards 2027: Elephants Require 20,000m², Touch Pools Banned, Tethering Ends