In May 2025, the UK government announced a major update to zoo animal welfare regulations—the first overhaul in more than a decade. These new rules, laid out in the updated Standards of Modern Zoo Practice for Great Britain, are meant to bring zoo care in line with modern science, ethics, and public expectations. From banning outdated practices to tightening standards on animal housing and safety, the changes mark a big step forward in how animals in captivity are treated. But while organisations like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) have welcomed the reforms, they’re also pushing for the government to go further.
A long-overdue update to how we treat animals in zoos
Since the last revision in 2012, the way we think about animals in captivity has changed considerably. More is now known about the emotional and social lives of animals, and there’s growing discomfort among the public about keeping intelligent, complex creatures in environments that don’t allow them to thrive. The new standards aim to reflect that shift.
Among the most notable changes is the requirement for zoos to provide larger, more enriched environments for elephants. These animals have long been a focus of concern, with decades of evidence showing that they struggle in captivity. The new guidelines also address the outdated practice of tethering birds of prey. Instead of being tied in place, these birds will need to be housed in aviaries where they can fly and exhibit natural behaviours.
Interactive displays, like ‘touch pools’ where visitors handle sea creatures such as starfish and crabs, are now under scrutiny as well. The government had considered phasing them out completely, but the final version of the standards instead urges zoos to review the practice. Critics, including the RSPCA, argue that this doesn’t go far enough.
The reforms also place a stronger emphasis on zoos’ roles in conservation and education. Institutions are now expected to maintain clearer records of their conservation work and increase efforts to educate the public about wildlife protection and habitat loss. As part of the safety overhaul, zoos will need to introduce better security systems like double-gated entries and provide extra protections for staff who work alone with animals.
Why the RSPCA says it’s a good start—but not enough
The RSPCA, which has campaigned for stricter zoo welfare rules for years, sees this as a much-needed step in the right direction. In a statement about the announcement, Dr Ros Clubb, Head of the RSPCA Wildlife Department, said the organisation is pleased to see progress but stressed that there’s still a way to go.
Top of their list is the full phasing out of elephants in captivity. The RSPCA points out that even with larger enclosures, zoos can’t come close to replicating the social and environmental complexity of elephants’ natural habitats. Studies, like those from the Born Free Foundation, have long highlighted the stress and physical health problems captive elephants endure.
They’re also disappointed that the suggested ban on touch pools didn’t make it into the final rules. Animals in these pools are often handled repeatedly throughout the day by different people, which can cause them stress, injury, or illness. The RSPCA argues that these displays put the animals at risk for the sake of entertainment, and that they send the wrong message about how animals should be treated.
The organisation is also calling for zoos to take their educational mission more seriously. It wants stronger guidance on how to ensure that visitors leave with a better understanding of animal behaviour, the threats wildlife face, and what people can do to help. While some zoos already do this well, the RSPCA believes a more consistent approach is needed.
Putting the reforms into practice
The updated standards will be phased in over the next two years, giving zoos time to make necessary changes. But as the RSPCA and other advocates have pointed out, enforcement will be key. Without proper oversight, there’s a risk the new rules won’t make as much difference as intended.
The new guidelines come at a time when public interest in animal welfare is growing. A 2023 survey by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) showed that most respondents support stronger protections for animals in zoos, especially species known to have complex needs like primates, elephants, and large carnivores.
Some zoos have already begun making changes. For instance, several UK institutions have voluntarily stopped breeding elephants and plan to phase them out altogether. Others have improved aviaries, upgraded habitats, and introduced new animal welfare monitoring systems. The hope is that the new rules will push lagging institutions to catch up.
A chance to rethink the role of zoos
This reform also reopens the broader debate about what role zoos should play in modern society. Are they simply attractions, or should they be centres of conservation and education? For many, the answer lies in making sure that animals are not simply housed, but genuinely cared for—and that the public is given a deeper understanding of why that matters.
Some conservationists argue that well-run zoos can play a valuable role in breeding endangered species, researching animal behaviour, and educating the public. But critics counter that these benefits don’t justify the continued captivity of certain species, particularly those that suffer most when taken out of their natural habitats.
The updated standards won’t settle that debate, but they could raise the bar. And as more information becomes available on animal wellbeing and ethical care, future revisions may go even further. The RSPCA, for one, plans to continue lobbying for stronger protections, including potential bans on certain species in captivity altogether.
Moving forward
This latest update to zoo welfare standards is an opportunity to re-evaluate what we expect from institutions that care for animals. It’s a chance to move beyond bare minimums and towards environments that actually allow animals to thrive. And with animal welfare increasingly on the public agenda, zoos that fall short of these expectations may find themselves under more scrutiny than ever.
You can read more about the RSPCA’s stance on the reforms and their ongoing advocacy efforts in their official release. The full guidelines are also available through DEFRA’s website. Whether this marks the start of real progress or just a small step forward will depend not just on policy—but on how it’s put into practice.