Get Ready for an International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos

On June 11, In Defense of Animals (IDA) will be sponsoring their third annual International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos (IDAEZ) campaign to raise public awareness of the plight of elephants in captivity and why elephants don’t belong in zoos.

Elephant experts agree that zoos simply can’t provide the conditions that they need to be happy and healthy. IDA states that:

Elephants are highly intelligent, complex and self-aware individuals who have evolved for long distance living. In the wild they range tens of miles a day, live in large, tight-knit family groups, and communicate with one another at great distances. Yet zoos keep elephants in tiny exhibits of a few acres or less, where lack of movement and standing on hard surfaces cause painful foot infections and arthritis, the leading causes of euthanasia in captive-held elephants. The stress and boredom of intensive captivity results in abnormal behaviors such as repetitive swaying and head bobbing.

In addition, many zoos still use a cruel, circus-style management method based on negative reinforcement and the use of bullhooks (a steel-tipped device similar to a fireplace poker) to poke, prod, stab and beat elephants into submission

Take Action:

Sign the petition protesting the Auckland Zoo’s plans to add elephants from Sri Lanka to attract tourists.

There are many ways to help elephants this year. Check out IDA’s IDAEZ campaign site to find an event in your area, or register to host an event.

Visit helpelephants.com to learn more about the problems with elephants in zoos and take action.

Dondi the Elephant Dies at Massachusetts Zoo

10 Worst Zoos for Elephants

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30486689@N08/

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sonny H.

7:52AM PST on Jan 5, 2012

Elephants do not belong to any zoo. They must be free!

send a green star

KrassiAWAY B.

4:35AM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

Signed.

Judith C.

3:15PM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

I am not a great fan of zoos but if there were no elephants in captivity,would they become extinct in the wild due to poaching.

corinne c.

2:20PM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

The elephants at the Toronto Zoo are an issues. Bob Barker had a meeting with the staff re sending the Elephants to a sanctuary. The last I heard they might be re housing them at another Zoo? and seperating the elephant that have lived together for over 30 years. If this happens it would be a tragedy. They should all go and live out their lives together. They are family....

Daylight C.

2:18PM PDT on Jun 3, 2011

If elephants were treated better at zoos than in their own "backyard" then and ONLY then, should elephants settle down to zoo life.
To this date, this is clearly not the case.

Luisa A.

9:17PM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

glad this is going to happen to bring awarness on this issue!

Kelly M.

1:59PM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

I love elephants!

Lynne B.

12:30AM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

Signed

dawn w.

10:47PM PDT on Jun 1, 2011

Signed & tweeted.