Conservation, education, public safety and animal welfare are the four standards to be met by a zoo, according to European law. In Spain, 11 zoos across the country do not respect these rules, according to a report issued on Monday by the European Commission (EC).

The zoos that are breaking the law are in Asturias, Aragon, Balearic Islands, Cantabria, Canarias, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y Leon, Extremadura, Galicia, Murcia and Valencia.

Brussels has taken this decision after complaints from animal welfare associations complained that some in Spanish zoos will not respect the protection of animals.

The EC originally opened an investigation in Spain in 2007. It is now to take action following a lack of action in rectifying the faults found.

The organization Eurogroup for Animal Welfare has expressed satisfaction that “after years of complaints the EC Court is finally taking action against these zoos for not respecting the rules.” The representative of the Eurogroup, Sonja Van Tichelaar, said she “hoped that the threat of a fine by the Community Court to force the authorities to treat animals better in zoos.

The organisation stressed that many species can not behave naturally in captivity, such as elephants, bears or lions. “The restrictions of space, the cages and bars affect them greatly, and give visitors a distorted picture with respect to wildlife”.