Knie's children's zoo in Rapperswil, northeastern Switzerland, is discontinuing elephant rides at the end of the year. +Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The zoo says it wants to focus its elephant-keeping more on nature-based experiences, education and animal behaviour. The decision to discontinue this decades-long tradition was made "in close cooperation" with the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), Knie said on Friday. It reflects the zoo's commitment to the protection of endangered species. + Why a Swiss billionaire is helping elephants in Kenya According to the press release, the requirements of the EEP stipulate that all animals must be kept exclusively in protected contact until 2030. The Knie children's zoo wants to "consistently continue" its work for contemporary animal husbandry and end elephant rides by the end of 2025. + How animal-based traditions can collide with modern morality In the press release, the children's zoo assures ...