UK Zoos Must Ban Touch Pools and Expand Elephant Enclosures

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British zoos must now give elephants football field-sized enclosures and end outdated practices in the biggest welfare shakeup in a decade.

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Ever wondered why you won't be petting stingrays anymore? The new rules ban touch pools for sensitive sea creatures like octopuses and rays.

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Birds of prey will no longer be tethered long-term, ending a practice animal experts say causes stress and restricts natural flight behaviors.

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The sharp hooks used to control elephants? Gone by 2030, along with electric goads, as zoos shift to more humane handling methods.

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Zoos have two years to adapt to most changes, but elephant enclosures must be massive by 2040 - 20,000 square meters for outdoor areas.

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These standards have been delayed for two years due to changing governments," says Chester Zoo's CEO, who's already planning bigger elephant spaces.

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While 51% of Brits want large animals phased out of zoos, only 22% support banning zoos completely - what side are you on?

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Zoo safety gets an upgrade too - double-gated entries for dangerous animals and business plans to protect animals if money runs short.

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BIAZA's CEO calls the rules "a significant step up" but experts worry: will there be enough inspectors to enforce all 196 pages of regulations?

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Kathryn England of London Zoo puts it simply: the standards bring "the whole sector up to a level the public rightly expects – and animals deserve.

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