Zoos in Great Britain will be required to enhance their conservation efforts and improve animal welfare under updated mandatory standards for the sector. These changes, which will be implemented over the next two years following a consultation process, include larger enclosures for elephants and the freedom for birds of prey to fly in aviaries, as opposed to being tethered, in the revised Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain.
The new rules also introduce a ban on visitors touching certain animals, such as fish, rays, and cephalopods like octopuses. There is a greater emphasis on record-keeping and breeding programs for endangered species, as well as research into animal behavior and public education about conservation.
Additionally, zoos and aquariums will be required to develop plans for the financial stability of their animals in case of financial hardship. New safety standards, such as double-gated entry systems and available firearms, will also be enforced. These reforms are part of the UK’s commitment to deliver the most ambitious animal welfare reforms in a generation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/24/zoo-welfare-standards-britain-first-update-2012
