A Profoundly Sad Day for Elephants and Humans
Bamboo with foot infection
It is with profound sadness that I report that Chai and Bamboo were loaded onto a truck around 6 PM last night to begin their grueling trip to another impoverished existence in the Oklahoma City Zoo. This marks the end of many tragic chapters in their lives, and begins another.
As many of you know, we fought a tireless nine-year battle to persuade Woodland Park Zoo to retire Bamboo, Chai, Watoto and Sri to a sanctuary and permanently end the exhibition of elephants.
Chai
After we lost Watoto to conditions directly caused by her captivity, Woodland Park Zoo announced they would join other progressive zoos in closing their elephant exhibit—we were hopeful. Unfortunately, Woodland Park Zoo remained intransigent throughout, incapable of considering any point of view different from zoo-industry approved opinion; the leadership entrenched in the industry’s selfish self-interest.
Our efforts were based on best science, independent expert opinion, and the community’s values. Our elephants’ cause inspired broad support from the enlightened Seattle region, people around the world and powerful media voices, especially The Seattle Times. It was the Seattle Times’ scathing front page investigation that cracked the door open to help people understand the suffering these intelligent, far-ranging animals endure when displayed in a tiny, boring, unchanging space—for life.
Watoto, RIP
Sadly, our elected officials failed to champion the conscience of their constituents or make our elephants’ well-being a concern of theirs.
The heartbreaking saga of Chai and Bamboo’s pathetic lives in the American Zoo World continues. And so today, we are diminished as human beings.
Nancy Pennington and Alyne Fortgang
Co-founders, Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants
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My 10 year old daughter told me this morning she wanted to join me in protesting the elephants move to Oklahoma this Saturday and I was thrilled. Moments later I read the news above and it just breaks my heart. Did they time this specifically to beat the protest rally? It’s just disgusting on all levels. Thank you for all your effort and passion on the matter.
Sincerely,
Wendy
So today (4/17/15) the poor elephants are in San Diego zoo! They are only about 8 hours drive from the P.A.W.S sanctuary in San Andreas! Could some miracle happen and they end up in the sanctuary after all!