Spain has made great strides in recognising the rights of animals, firstly by changing the legal status of cats and dogs from objects to sentient, living beings, and now, a proposed ‘animal rights’ bill that will outlaw zoos and pet shops and bring in tougher prison sentences for animal abusers. Despite all this, bullfighting, inexplicably, remains unchecked.

We hear a great deal about large zoos with money to spend on maintaining enclosures and keeping up the appearance of conservation work, but what about the countless small, private zoos around the world? Coco Hou tells us about her experience visiting Club de los Animalitos in Mexico.

PROFILE: Claire Hamlett spoke to ‘bear boy’ Justin Baker about his work campaigning against zoos following a profound realisation at just 13 years old.

News recently broke of draft legislation that would ban the keeping of elephants in UK zoos. Unfortunately, following clarification from environment minister Zac Goldsmith, Defra has no such plans, yet ‘inside sources’ have hinted at growing concern within the government about zoos with a report on elephant welfare imminent.

The tragic shooting of two brown bears at a zoo may have been an unusual and apparently unavoidable incident, but it is a stark reminder that animals do not belong in captivity.

ZSL’s two zoos - London and Whipsnade - are in serious trouble. Lockdown has meant no ticket sales yet with a workforce that cannot possibly be furloughed. They’re asking for the UK government to help, but with zoos as problematic as they are, should we let them fail?