Codes to make captivity better place for animals

Animals in zoos and circuses should be considered not only as representatives of their species, but as individuals with past experiences, say new animal welfare codes.

And an animal's "telos [purpose] should be catered for by considering the way the animal perceives its world and learns and communicates".

These factors must be taken into account when new mandatory behavioural and environmental enrichment programmes are developed in circuses and zoos.

The controversial codes, which will be law from January 1, replace standards which, while technically enforceable, were so loose legally that few prosecutions were possible.

The codes were developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and released by Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton.

Larger cages are stipulated for circus elephants and monkeys, with mandatory hours of exercise stipulated each day.

The recommended best practice for exotic species in circuses - such as lions, tigers, bears, elephants and large primates - is not to keep them at all.

The SPCA, which had wanted an immediate ban, is disappointed with merely a recommendation.

Three circuses operate in New Zealand, but only the Whirling Brothers keeps exotic animals. It has one elephant, three lions and four monkeys.

SPCA acting chief executive Jenny Prattley said Mr Sutton should institute a ban.

"Our considered view is that exotic animals in circuses inevitably suffer ... due to the transient nature of circus life."

But Mr Sutton ruled that out, saying the committee believed the benefits outweighed the harm.

The new code says night quarters for the animals should be big enough for them to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably, with sufficient shelter, shade and warmth, and clean and dry bedding.

Animals must remain psychologically stimulated, with intelligent animals such as primates provided with toys, swings, climbing spaces and contact with their own and other species.

Where an animal has no companion of its own species, it must have one or more companions of other species, "including humans".

Small primates should be given a minimum of 20sq m for one or two animals, and 50sq m for large primates. Their foraging behaviour should be encouraged by daily hiding of food such as nuts in different parts of the exercise area.

Exercise areas should be available to all exotic animals for eight hours a day, except when a circus is being dismantled or erected.

In training, "electric prods must be used with restraint" and not on the animal's genitals, eyes or nose.

Lions require a minimum exercise areas of 50sq m - markedly smaller than the 63.6sq m required under the previous voluntary code, which also provided for cancellation of a circus' registration if it failed to provide such a serviceable exercise arena.

The new code requires a minimum 150sq m for exercising elephants, which should be kept in social matriarchal groups.

"Elephants should be encouraged to manually work around the circus, and used to lift equipment as part of their behavioural enrichment."