... compared to wild elephants. Elephants are very intelligent and social animals. In British zoos and circuses, many elephants are unnaturally kept singly or in pairs. "Wild elephants frequently bathe in mud and water. This maintains the skin and is a pleasurable experience enjoyed by whole families of elephants. Elephants also dust themselves with dry earth, which it is believed protects the elephants from the sun and insect bites." For elephants in captivity, particularly in circuses, these behaviours are not possible. Elephants are also deprived of basics such as mud wallows and dusting facilities. In captivity they suffer from psychological trauma as well as from physical abuse. Conditions such as boredom, depression and psychoses are often observed in captive individuals. These are very rarely, if ever, seen in wild elephant behaviour. One of the reasons for this behaviour is the unnatural living conditions offered by either zoos or circuses. "Elephants travel ...

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