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.
I have to ask, what terrible things did these elephants do to deserve this.To learn more about these amazing animals, view: http://www.andrews-elephants.com— andrewkeet- The pictures of where they are were so disturbing. Thank you for covering this Amy, it is disgraceful how they have been kept for the last year++. People, do your research, money is not an issue here. That is why the fact that they are still locked in the concrete pen is disturbing. They have had offers to move the girls for free and have declined for no apparent reason but to retain physical ownership.— elenab
- That's so true. Humans are animals too after all -- and I volunteer and donate and advocate to help anyone who needs help. Social justice and compassion should carry through across species lines.— DogGirl
- One of the biggest mistakes of non animal rights activists is that animal rights activists only care about non-human animals. Many animal rights activists are also active in human causes. Because a person spends some of her/his time caring about those animals that have no voice, DOES NOT expldue their ability to help humans, from infants to the elderly.— Jason12341234
Im sick of hearing people say: "hey get life, go protest the war or something" YES we have lives; full time jobs, families, pay taxes, etc. Just because someone speaks out for "The cause of their own choosing" does not mean that everything else is less important.
You protest what you want and I"ll protest what I want! got it? Now get out of my facial!— tulipwalk
andimike - No. The best thing for them is to be in the wild, the next best would be in an animal sanctuary. I do not necessarily hate the zoo, but there are some animals that do not belong living in zoos. Elephants are one of them.— Jame Gumb- Some people posting here are educated on elephants' needs, some aren't - but Andimike is truly ignorant, and hopefully not a taxpayer, because in fact City Council DOES have influence - the Philly Zoo gets MILLIONS of dollars in city support every year, and should be held accountable as any entity that receives public funding shoud be. And the elephants' exhibit sucked at the Philly Zoo, just as it does in Somerset. Send them to a sanctuary now, before it's too late.— Anne Jones
- ExcrementObsessedConservative...your name says it all.— Nostrathomas
- DonQ - Do you know how much land elephants require? 3 acres may seem like a lot to you, but to an elephant its nothing. Actually, I grew up on over 3 acres and I must say, that really isn't a lot of land. That is barely enough land for three horses, so I can't imagine why anyone would think this is enough for 2 elephants. Please, educate yourself on the nature of elephants before you type anything else. What you may find out about these intelligent, magnificent creatures will truly amaze you.— Jame Gumb
- Elephant Advocates can and do help raise funds to care for 24 elephants in two sanctuaries in the US. The Philly Zoo did do the right thing by Dulary and retired her to The Elephant Sanctuary where she is thriving with other Asian Elephants. Kallie & Bette deserve no less.— clm1950
- Most of the comments here are on target -- these idiots complained about the Zoo, without realizing the elephants got the best care there that any facility can provide. They should turn their efforts towards raising funds necessary not whining. City Council has no influence here nor should they.— andimike
- just shoot them and put them out of their misery— Old German
- 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.
- Elephants and concrete...not a good home at all.— Beauty
- There shouldn't be ANY elephants in ANY zoo's period. Cruelty!— tulipwalk
- 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 - 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
- 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
- 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
- These idiots can blame themselves for getting the elephants removed from our zoo to begin with.— gkr
- 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
- Fine, then let the animal activists adopt them and raise the funding to 'enrich' their lives.— TWEB
Comment removed.- 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
- 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 - yes it is inhumane treatment, now fix it or get those elephants to the tennesee sanctuary. hurry!— Miss M.
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