Jul25
Jenny: 32, SGF*, No SoH Left (Oh, Yeah ... and 13,000 Lbs.)
Posted at 10:11 AM | Permalink
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Comments (24)
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We bet you agree with us that Jenny should be sent ASAP to a fantastic facility where she can choose her own new friends. And the zoo is shipping her out, but where does it want to send her? Their plan is to export her to a drive-through tourist attraction in Mexico called Africam.
Jenny has a lot of psychological and health problems. She needs plenty of space, a nurturing staff to look after her special needs, and her choice of companions. The elephant enclosure at Africam is barely 5 acres—a fraction of the 30 miles per day that elephants might roam in the wild. In fact, this video shows three Asian elephants at Africam as they sway back and forth, an indication of boredom and frustration and a behavior that is never seen in elephants in the wild. These aren't happy elephants—and I wouldn't be happy either if I were standing in a mostly barren enclosure on hard, compressed dirt with nothing to explore.
Of course, there's a far better option for Jenny. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee has already offered Jenny a peaceful home, where she would have hundreds of acres to explore (and the companionship of three other female African elephants), live in a fabulous facility, and remain protected by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. Despite this, the Dallas Zoo so far isn't backing down from its decision.
Why? Well, the Dallas Zoo says that it will only send Jenny to a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Um, shouldn't it be acceptable to send Jenny to a facility whose standards actually exceed those of the AZA? After all, the AZA's guidelines for elephants permit the kind of abuse seen in circuses. Besides that, the AZA only requires elephant enclosures to be 40 by 45 feet, which—if you do the math—is about the size of a three-car garage. That might not be big enough for a 13,000-lb. elephant.
And by the way, if you're still thinking that AZA accreditation means something, consider this: The elephants at Africam swaying in that video are in an AZA-approved habitat.
If you'd like to help Jenny get to The Elephant Sanctuary and a wonderful retirement, please see our action alert to find out how. Also, be sure to watch 20/20 tonight at 10 p.m., as there will be a moving story about elephants and how they really are just like us. "There are things about elephants that seem so similar to us. Their family life, their emotional life, the fact that they grieve. They stand out from other animals," said Gay Bradshaw, the director of a research institute called The Kerulos Center.
Posted by Amanda Schinke
TAGGED:
elephants zoos jenny dallas zoo aza
Comments
My goodness those elephants in that video are in trouble! I'm sure thats exactly what Jenny already does!! Shame on zoos!! For even exsisting!! Elephants DO NOT belong in zoos and zoos DO NOT belong on earth!! People working at zoos get to go home at night these animals can't!! What a shame.
Posted by: Carla | July 25, 2008 01:45 PM
Please watch, "They are Like Us"
on 20/20 tonight on ABC. They
will be talking about how these wonderful animals suffer from
Post Traumatic Stress after watching there families being murdered. And the horrific misery they go through at the Zoo's. Eye opening I hope.
Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!
Posted by: Judith | July 25, 2008 01:46 PM
I sent my letter!
Posted by: Judith | July 25, 2008 02:16 PM
Is the Dallas Zoo insane? Are they completely lacking in all compassion and sense?
Mexico is hell on earth for animals. Abuse is rampant. Mexico can't even take care of DOGS never mind elephants!
It is about time these taxpayer-funded zoos start hiring sane, sensible people instead of psychotic people that just5 seem to want to see these animals abused.
Posted by: kelly | July 25, 2008 03:42 PM
I sent my letter too !!
(B.C. Canada)
Posted by: Amanda | July 25, 2008 04:34 PM
Judith,
Thank you for mentioning that! I'll have to Tivo it LOL.
Sometimes I get frustrated about these shows, because while some info is great, sometimes they give out misinformation and it's so frustrating!
I just hope they give correct info and do justice for the animals. Hopefully they've done their homework.
;) Namaste!
Posted by: Maya, CVT | July 25, 2008 06:06 PM
A bit off topic, but here's a link to a fascinating read on vegan bodybuilder extraordinaire Robert Cheeke that I received from a Vegan Outreach e-Newsletter:
http://wweek.com/editorial/3436/11241/SOURCE=RSS
He's strong like a bull elephant and does it all for animals.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | July 25, 2008 07:03 PM
I live in the Dallas area, and I am SO MAD about what the Dallas Zoo is doing. Jenny has never been exposed to any kind of car traffic, and there are real concerns that the cars will scare her or give her respitory problems. Not to mention that she wouldn't have nearly enough space to feel comfortable. Thankfully PETA found out about this story. I was so concerned that no one outside the DFW area would hear about this. Send a letter, call, and do everything else you can to help Jenny!
Posted by: Emilee | July 26, 2008 12:28 AM
I also send my email to the Mayor of Dallas, Mayor Leppert. But I don't understand why the zoo of Dallas wants to deport the elephant to Mexico after all her hard work in Dallas. why don't they want to retire her in the elephant sanctuary. don't they have any feelings for her after all those years jenny been at the zoo. I hate this zoo. Boycott Dallas Zoo
Posted by: Roxanne | July 26, 2008 03:13 AM
whats the address (or email address) to send a letter?
Posted by: Kelley | July 26, 2008 12:18 PM
I watched 20/20 last night and just about cried. It was so horrible seeing the abuse that these animals endure. I vow to never take my son to a circus or to the zoo. It was heart warming to see the elephants in the sanctuary.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 26, 2008 12:25 PM
Just sent my letter. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Posted by: Ken | July 26, 2008 05:21 PM
This is sick what people can do to animals. They belong in the wild and not in our care. They all must be wacked in the head!!
Posted by: Kortney | July 26, 2008 09:48 PM
When are people going to realise animals have the same feelings and are affected by things just like us humans? We don't put other humans in small cages for out amusement, so why are there people thinking we have a right to do this to animals? I hope Jenny gets sent to a facility where she gets treated the way she deserves.
Posted by: Des | July 27, 2008 04:59 PM
A knucklehead named Gregg Hudson at tha Dallas zoo is the one making the decision. Send him a fax.1-214-670-7450
Posted by: CB | July 28, 2008 12:57 PM
Thanks CB, my fax is on the way!
Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 28, 2008 02:07 PM
I watched the video. I am so saddened by the abuse that goes on behind closed doors. It was an eye opener on how their feelings and heart are "worn on their sleeve." My heart bleeds for them and I will do what I can to protect them!
Posted by: Erika | July 28, 2008 05:30 PM
I lived in Memphis for awhile. The Elephant Sanctuary there is amazing! I don't understand why they would not want the best for her, after all she deserve so much better then what the are planning on giving her. Shame shame. I wonder if they where given the choice where they want to live if they were an elephant???
Posted by: Crystal | July 28, 2008 10:12 PM
I really appreciated that ABC aired this information about elephants on 20/20, although it was pathetic that they mentioned that "most circuses treat the elephants very well".
Posted by: Michael Essi | July 29, 2008 07:48 AM
Mike,
I caught that too, where in the world did they come up with that statement....crazy!
Posted by: CB | July 29, 2008 12:52 PM
I not only sent an email to Mayor Leppert, but I sent a fax to Gregg Hudson at the Dallas Zoo. I'm aghast that any thinking human being who works with animals would consider sending any animal to a place like Mexico, a country who has little regard for their pets, a country who crams animals into small cages in super markets to sell, well, I could go on and on. I also sent a request to everyone on my circulation list to take action to stop Jenny from being shipped out of this country.
Posted by: Gina Carroll | July 29, 2008 01:43 PM
Do not send the elephant to Mexico, send the elephant to the elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Get a grip and do the right thing.
Posted by: Margaret Byrne | July 29, 2008 02:58 PM
Good, use up all their toner and fax paper! LOL Sure it's not the ALF stuff but hey, it's at least annoying!
Posted by: CB | July 29, 2008 03:41 PM
Makes me wonder how much the Circus people paid them to say that. What a moronic statement that was! How in the world do they think the Elephants get this way! HUMANS!!!!!Most of them, a nasty bunch!
Peace for all animals!
Most of my heroes wear masks!
Posted by: Judith FFFA | July 29, 2008 06:00 PM