Aging animals find the extra care they need at Barcelona's zoo

Apnews - Apr 13th, 2025
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At the Barcelona Zoo, specialized geriatric care has become a focal point as zoos globally shift towards emphasizing lifelong care for aging animals that cannot be reintroduced into the wild. Key players include Pilar Padilla, head of the zoo’s mammal care, and Martín Zordan, CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, who both underline the importance of adapting to the needs of elderly animals. The zoo's efforts, such as the daily 'pedicure' for a 40-year-old elephant named Bully and the study of grief among elephants, showcase a commitment to ensuring that animals age gracefully.

The development reflects a broader trend in zoos worldwide, focusing on conservation, education, and the humane treatment of animals rather than mere spectacle. This change is significant as it involves adapting living spaces and veterinary care to suit older animals, ensuring they lead lives with dignity. Notably, the collaboration with the University of Barcelona to study the impact of a companion elephant's death on Susi and Bully illustrates the zoo's dedication to understanding and improving animal welfare. These initiatives highlight a significant shift in the zoological approach to animal care and conservation.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a detailed and informative look at the geriatric care practices at the Barcelona Zoo, highlighting the zoo's efforts to adapt to the needs of aging animals. It is factually accurate in its portrayal of these practices, supported by credible sources from the zoo and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. However, the article could benefit from a more balanced presentation by including perspectives from independent experts and addressing potential criticisms of zoo practices. While the article is clear and well-structured, its impact is somewhat limited by a lack of engagement elements and deeper exploration of controversial topics. Overall, it serves as an informative piece on the evolving role of zoos in animal conservation and care, with room for deeper exploration of the ethical and practical challenges involved.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately describes the specialized geriatric care provided to aging animals at the Barcelona Zoo, highlighting practices such as daily pedicures for elephants and the adaptation of enclosures to suit older animals. It references the zoo's shift towards conservation and education, which aligns with broader trends in zoo management. However, the claim about the collaboration with the University of Barcelona on a grief study for elephants needs verification. The story's factual claims are largely supported by available sources, but some details, such as the specifics of the Sahel-Savannah area and the study's methodology, require further confirmation.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents the perspective of zoo officials and experts, such as Pilar Padilla and Martín Zordan, focusing on the zoo's positive efforts in animal care. While this provides insight into the zoo's initiatives, the article lacks viewpoints from independent experts or critics who might offer a different perspective on zoo practices. This could lead to a somewhat one-sided narrative that favors the zoo's portrayal without addressing potential criticisms or alternative viewpoints on animal captivity and care.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly presents information about the zoo's care for aging animals. The language is straightforward and accessible, making the content easy to understand for a general audience. The narrative flows logically from the description of the zoo's practices to specific examples, such as the care provided to elephants Susi and Bully. However, the inclusion of unrelated "RELATED COVERAGE" links disrupts the flow and could confuse readers about the article's main focus.

7
Source quality

The article cites credible sources such as the head of the zoo's mammal care and the CEO of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. These sources are authoritative within the context of the story, providing reliable information on zoo practices. However, the article could benefit from including a wider range of sources, such as independent animal welfare experts or academic researchers, to enhance the depth and neutrality of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article provides insights into the zoo's practices and the rationale behind them, but it lacks detailed transparency regarding the methodology of the reported study on elephant grief. It does not disclose potential conflicts of interest, such as financial or institutional ties between the zoo and the University of Barcelona. Greater transparency about the study's design and the zoo's broader goals would improve the article's credibility and help readers understand the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/entertainment/3344332-aging-giants-the-geriatric-care-revolution-at-barcelona-zoo
  2. https://www.startribune.com/assisted-living-isnt-just-for-people-a-zoo-in-spain-helps-elderly-elephants-age-gracefully/601329895
  3. https://bsmsa.cat/en/press_releases/pedro-europes-oldest-white-rhino-dies
  4. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIYqGqYS-Am/
  5. https://ground.news/article/assisted-living-isnt-just-for-people-a-zoo-in-spain-helps-elderly-elephants-age-gracefully