India Frees Elephants

On Friday, Indian officials announced that all elephants kept in Indian zoos and circuses will be transferred to wildlife parks and animal sanctuaries. According to India’s Central Zoo Authority, the order came after animal-rights activists campaigned about the low quality of life and poor health care that elephants receive in captivity. More than 140 elephants in 26 zoos and 16 circuses will be moved temporarily to camps run by the government’s forest department, where they can graze and roam freely under the care of elephant trainers. Animal-rights activists now plan to take on the temples and logging camps in India that use elephants for ceremonies and labor.