Activists seek probe of Phila. Zoo elephants' new home
An animal advocacy organization has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture over what they say are inhumane conditions at a western Pennsylvania facility that now houses two longtime Philadelphia Zoo elephants.
Activists seek probe of Phila. Zoo elephants' new home
Amy Worden, Inquirer Staff Writer
An animal advocacy organization has filed a formal complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture over what they say are inhumane conditions at a western Pennsylvania facility that now houses two longtime Philadelphia Zoo elephants.
Kallie and Bette, elephants still owned by the Philadelphia Zoo, are currently confined at the International Conservation Center in Somerset, along with Jackson, a bull elephant owned by the Pittsburgh Zoo.
In its complaint, the group Friends of Philly Zoo Elephants (FPZE) says that an undercover investigation conducted earlier this fall revealed that elephants at the center were kept in a cement barn for most of last winter, denied free access to water for drinking and bathing and deprived items for mental enrichment.
The failure of the facility to provide the elephants free access to a source of water and a variety of enrichment items – things that the elephants received at the Philadelphia Zoo – causes significant stress and discomfort and constitutes a violation of the Animal Welfare Act, FPZE claims.
The group says that ICC officials misled the Philadelphia Zoo and others by repeatedly claiming elephants at the facility would be allowed access to areas outside of their pens. In fact, the undercover investigation found that the elephants have been continually confined in pens of one to three acres since their arrival in July 2009, and there are no plans to allow them access to any of the rest of the 724-acre property.
“The Philadelphia Zoo apparently is asleep at the wheel when it comes to Kallie and Bette,” said Marianne Bessey, director of FPZE. “How much longer do these elephants have to suffer before the zoo does the right thing and sends them to a true sanctuary?”
Animal organizations criticized Kallie and Bette’s July 8, 2009, transfer to the Somerset facility for breeding, warning that the 28-year-old African elephants were already too old and that their lives would be endangered.
The group will hold a rally at 12:30 outside City Hall today to urge City Councilmembers to hold the Philadelphia Zoo accountable for the treatment of the two elephants.
yes it is inhumane treatment, now fix it or get those elephants to the tennesee sanctuary. hurry!— Miss M.- Im all for animal rights but come on...you have nothing better to do?
How about getting involved with your local Gov.
And this statement, "deprived items for mental enrichment" Tell me how you know thats not occuring?— G-Man - G-Man, you're an idiot. I think you've been deprived items for mental enrichment. Elephants are some of the most intelligent, sophisticated animals on the planet. I doubt if you can comprehend that.— Nostrathomas
Comment removed.- Fine, then let the animal activists adopt them and raise the funding to 'enrich' their lives.— TWEB
- I agree, I think some pf the living conditions for the animals at the phila Zoo are terrible. Especially the ring tailed lemurs. It's depressing.— kolocop
- These idiots can blame themselves for getting the elephants removed from our zoo to begin with.— gkr
- Bring em’ back to philly. Nations 1st zoo w/out elephants ... EMBARASSING! If the activists are going to cry regardless bring em’ back so OUR kids can enjoy them.— Kennedy
- So, you get them removed from the zoo and taken to a place where they have three acres to move about. Then, you say that's not enough? I wish I had three acres of backyard. How about you put up the money for the things you demand?— DonQ
- FYI - the elephants were offered a lifetime home at no charge at a true sanctuary in California (www.pawsweb.org), so money's not an issue. The Philly Zoo paid the Somerset PA facility $500,000 to take the elephants. They can certainly afford to shell out a few hundred bucks for enrichment items.— Luv3Dance
- They should've been sent to the santuary in Tenn. www.elephant.com.
That is the best place for these elephants to live free.— PhillyJoe22 
There shouldn't be ANY elephants in ANY zoo's period. Cruelty!— tulipwalk- Elephants and concrete...not a good home at all.— Beauty
- I detest the living conditions of the Naked Mole Rats. Stuffing 20 to 30 of them in a small dwelling and no clothing. C'mon Philly Zoo. You are better than that.
- just shoot them and put them out of their misery— Old German
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