CHER Act of 2025

The Captivity of Helpless Elephants Reduction (CHER) Act of 2025 aims to phase out the practice of keeping elephants in captivity for public display. Specifically, the bill proposes to amend the Animal Welfare Act to make it illegal for zoological parks or safari parks to house these animals. This legislation reflects growing concerns regarding the physical and psychological well-being of elephants in confined environments, which often lack the space and social structures found in the wild.

If enacted, the bill would likely require existing facilities to stop acquiring new elephants and could lead to the relocation of currently captive elephants to accredited sanctuaries. For everyday citizens, this would mean that elephants would eventually no longer be featured attractions at local zoos or drive-through safari parks. The bill seeks to balance animal welfare with the operational transition of these facilities, though it primarily focuses on ending the long-term captivity of the species in commercial and recreational settings.