Tell Santa Ana Zoo To Stop Elephant Rides!
The Santa Ana Zoo continues to offer its patrons elephant rides, which are inhumane to the elephants, and pose a safety risk to the public. It's time for the zoo to recognize the cruelty that is inherent in this practice. Elephants are trained through the use of pain-inflicting bull hooks, as they are beaten into submission. Elephants used for the rides are abused for the sake of entertainment and profit, and we are striving to end this practice.
We, the undersigned, do hereby request that you immediately cease offering elephant rides at the Santa Ana Zoo. Elephants contracted for your use through Have Trunk Will Travel are systematically abused in the course of their training. We have seen documentation of the use of bull hooks, which are used to inflict pain upon the elephants, and keep them in a state of fear and submission.
In the interest of animal welfare and public safety, most zoos have already discontinued elephant rides. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) urged its members to discontinue public elephant rides ten years ago. Santa Ana is now one of only of two accredited zoos in the U.S. still offering elephant rides. Please act with compassion, and for the sake of your patrons' safety, by joining the majority of other zoos who have complied with the AZA's recommendation.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our concerns. We are eager to witness the Santa Ana Zoo's progress on this matter.
