Poor living conditions, stress plague elephants in Korean zoos

Only one of 10 elephants that died at Korean zoos and other captive facilities from known causes was recorded as having died of natural causes related to old age, a new report has found. Most facilities kept indoor enclosures — spaces where animals can stay out of public view — closed during visiting hours, with keepers explaining that they did so because visitors complained when elephants went inside and could no longer be seen. According to a report titled “Survey on the Welfare of Captive Elephants in Korea,” released Monday by the animal rights group Animal Liberation Wave, only one of the 10 elephants whose causes of death were identified died naturally of old age. Their average age at death was 32.1. The leading causes of death included cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, as well as foot and joint disorders. The group said these conditions were closely linked to captive environments, including confined spaces, hard flooring and insufficient exercise. The survey was conducted from March to June this year at nine facilities that keep elephants in Korea. Researchers visit