There are more than 1,500 zoos in the EU which keep animals ranging from elephants and polar bears to small insects and reptiles. Many of these animals are kept in conditions which cause them great stress and suffering.

Cramped, inadequate enclosures are common which give animals no opportunity to behave naturally or even to have peace and quiet away from the public gaze. Some enclosures are so badly designed and maintained that the animals are injured as a result.

Such poor treatment of animals can cause abnormal behaviours in some species. Repeated pacing up and down, rocking, bar chewing and weaving can occur when animals are kept in inappropriate enclosures, have no species-specific stimulation and companionship.

According to a 1999 EU Directive, zoo animals should be kept in conditions appropriate to their needs. The Directive also forsees that zoo be properly inspected and licensed. Those not meeting the requirements of the Directive should be closed.

In April 2009, Eurogroup For Animals published its updated Zoo Report, an evaluation of the implementation and enforcement of the EU's Zoo Directive.

The report found that many EU zoos have yet to fully implement European rules on the keeping of wild animals in zoos and national authorities are still failing to enforce legislation on zoo keeping.

The report was presented to the European Commission in April 2009.

In October 2009, the first step was taken in a legal procedure against Spain over the country’s infringement of the EU Zoo Directive. This case was taken up by the European Commission following the gathering of evidence by a number of Spanish animal welfare NGOs, co-ordinated by Eurogroup for Animals,

Eurogroup For Animals now calls on the next EU Environment Commissioner to conduct a formal evaluation of the Zoo Directive implementation that includes stakeholder participation.

Eurogroup For Animals continuously monitors the enforcement of the EU legislation on zoos across Europen and, based on the findings of its updated Zoo Report, urges the EU to ensure the following can be guaranteed for all zoos within the European Union:

European Union

Directive on the keeping of wild animals in zoos (Mar. 99)

Eurogroup documents

Q&A EU Zoo Directive (Dec 08)

Report on the implementation of the zoo Directive (update Dec 08) | summary

Study of Conformity (Dec 07)

Guidelines for scientific and educational activities (Oct. 07)

Strategy for confiscated animals (Jan. 07)
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Report on the implementation of the zoo Directive (Dec 06)