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.

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.

Green Options » unhappy elephants

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

Elephants in Captivity Teach Humans a Lesson