Green Options » captivity

Central Zoo Authority Demands Release of Indian Elephants

Beth Graddon-Hodgson — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:45:37 +0000

Approximately 140 elephants are believed to be living in zoos and performing in circuses all around India, but according to the Central Zoo Authority, in a demand issued today, that will happen no more!

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Dumbo Behind Bars: Elephant-Sized Controversy Arises Over Captive Elephants

Ruedigar Matthes — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:45:07 +0000

For years and years parents have taken their children to zoos to see exotic animals, animals that they don’t get to see everyday. They want to see lions and tigers and bears. Oh my! High on the the list of animals to be seen are elephants, nature’s gentle giants. These cute, (hardly) cuddly animals are the largest of the land mammals. But all of that could change. Elephants could be removed from zoos forever if In Defense of Animals (IDA) and a handful of scientists and activists get their way.

June 20 highlighted the International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos. In Defense of Animals (IDA) and activists in over 30 cities worldwide (including L.A., Washington D.C., and more) participated in a day of demonstration to inform the public about the travesty of keeping Dumbo locked up - even Salt Lake City had one demonstrator brave the torrential rain in order to bring justice to our big grey friends.

Elliot M. Katz, DVM, President of IDA said that ”Zoos can no longer ignore the mounting scientific evidence of the devastating effects of captivity on elephants.” Infanticide, Herpes and tuberculosis are just a few of the ailments prevalent in captive elephants, and zoo populations are not self sustaining, unlike populations in natural environments.

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Group Calls for Porpoise’s Release from Vancouver Aquarium

Alex Felsinger — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 17:24:21 +0000

Canadian wildlife conservation group the Lifeforce Foundation wrote letter to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to ask that Daisy the porpoise be released from the four-foot-deep wading pool that she has been held inside for the last six months.

The harbor porpoise was rescued in August after she washed up on a beach. Experts gave her only a 10 percent chance of survival, but she beat the odds and was given a clean bill of health three months ago. Now Lifeforce’s Peter Hamilton wants her freed.

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140-Year-Old Lobster Freed From New York Restaurant

Andrew Williams — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:39:48 +0000

A lobster, thought to be up to 140 years old, is to be released into the Atlantic Ocean, after briefly becoming an unconventional mascot at a New York City restaurant.

PETA found out about the plight of the 20 pound crustacean when a diner at NYC’s City Crab & Seafood called to say it was being kept in the diner’s tank. PETA’s Ingrid Newkirk praised the restaurant, saying, “We applaud the folks at City Crab and Seafood for their compassionate decision to allow this noble old-timer to live out his days in freedom and peace.”

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Elephants in Captivity Teach Humans a Lesson

Joe Mohr — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 11:40:15 +0000

The BBC posted a new report stating that elephants in captivity do not live as long as their free-roaming counterparts. Also, they are noticeably more stressed and unhealthy by comparison.

Seems logical.

What struck me most from this article is how we can replace the word “elephants” with “humans” and the same rings true.

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