Humane World for Animals (formerly known as Humane Society International and Humane Society of the United States) has an extensive history of rescuing animals from horrible captive conditions in the context of animal cruelty investigations globally. Time and time again, we have seen the devastating outcomes of keeping wild animals who have significant biological, psychological and social needs in substandard facilities that cannot possibly come close to approximating their lives in the wild.

Some species in particular — such as cetaceans, great apes, elephants and big cats — are particularly unsuited to life in captivity. These large, complex animals swim or roam through vast territories in the wild and have extensive physical and psychological needs, making them among the most likely species to suffer in captivity.

I witnessed first-hand the trauma and cruelty captivity can inflict on wild animals with such advanced cognitive abilities and complex social structures when Humane World for Animals Canada assisted the Montreal SPCA in the largest zoo closure in Canadian history. Together in 2019, we rescued over 200 wild and exotic animals from decrepit, barren and disturbing conditions at a roadside zoo in Quebec. I saw failing fences and cages, chewed stalls holding malnourished, anxious and lonely animals,........

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