BRITTA JASCHINSKI the saddening image of two chimpanzees in a squalid enclosure in a European Zoo

A bear peering out from behind its chain-link enclosure and a solitary dolphin in a tank are among the “tragic” images going on display in Brussels. Other poignant pictures include a Barbary macaque huddling on wooden posts and two chimpanzees in what has been described as a Dickensian cage. Wildlife charity Born Free is launching its “thought-provoking” exhibition to lay bare the lives that some of the millions of animals kept in European zoos are forced to endure.

Born Free co-founder actress Virginia McKenna today described the impact of looking at the photographs. She explained: “I should be used to looking at captive wild animals, having done so for over 45 years, but these tragic pictures left me speechless. “Please look into the eyes of the macaque, the bear – well, look at all the animals. They tell their own story more poignantly than any words of mine.

BRITTA JASCHINSKI The haunting image of a Barbary macaque huddling on wooden posts

JO ANNE MCARTHUR A bear looking out of its chain-link enclosure

"And the message they give is simple. Help us. End this.”

And the message they give is simple. Help us. End this Born Free co-founder Virginia McKenna

Born Free says award-winning international photographers Britta Jaschinski and Jo-Anne McArthur visited several EU countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Denmark and the UK, during the summer to document the living conditions of animals. Born Free says under European Council directives zoos are required to satisfy animals’ biological requirements by providing species-specific enrichment and a high standard of husbandry. The charity said: “Through this powerful photo exhibition, Born Free aims to show members of the European Parliament that investigations as part of its EU Zoo Inquiry have revealed many zoos keep animals in sub-standard conditions and EU zoos are therefore not fulfilling their legal requirements."

JO ANNE MCARTHUR A lonely tiger looks out of its cage

Five years ago, Born Free carried out what it describes as the most extensive investigation on the implementation and enforcement of the EU Zoos Directive. Next year, it plans to reveal the findings of a new investigation into the status of zoo regulation across the EU at a time when the European Commission is reviewing the directive. Daniel Turner, associate director for European compliance at Born Free, said: “Despite the advances in knowledge about individual species and their biological needs, many animals are still kept in sub-standard conditions in EU zoos.

JO ANNE MCARTHUR An elephant treated like a circus animal being made to perform against its will

GRAPHIC CONTENT: Worst cases of animal cruelty Mon, November 28, 2016 WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: As part of our new 'STOP THE CRUELTY' campaign we take a look at some of the most horrific cases animal cruelty. Play slideshow PA 1 of 32 Handout photo issued by the Orangutan Foundation of Aan, a critically-endangered orangutan who was blinded after being shot more than 100 times with an air rifle. Aan is to undergo an operation that could restore her sight.