This is 'The Elephant In The Room' Tonight!

THANK CONGRESS FOR STEPPING UP FOR WILDLIFE. 
The Federal ivory ban was under attack. Federal funding was at risk. Animals' lives hung in the balance.
Hudson Canyon
The stakes were high as Congress negotiated its last major budget bill for the year. But thousands of wildlife supporters like you spoke out, and Congress delivered a major victory for wildlife worldwide, cracking down on the illegal ivory trade, conserving habitat for threatened species, and more.

We need to let them know that we appreciate their efforts to protect wildlife – and that we're counting on them to keep up the good work. Send your legislator a thank-you note today!


Ban ivory around the world. Every day, elephants are slaughtered by poachers. Every day, traffickers smuggle and scheme to profit off of dead elephants.
The sad reality is that it often pays off for them. That's because in many countries around the world, it is still legal to buy and sell ivory, and disguising ivory as antique or otherwise legal isn't hard for traffickers.
Here's the truth, Legal ivory markets are a threat to elephants. That's why we need your help right now to shut them down.
Last year, your activism pushed the Obama administration to take action to ban domestic ivory sales – a huge victory. Now, we need other countries to do the same.
Shutting down ivory markets is critical to our strategy to stop the poaching crisis that's killing an estimated 96 elephants per day in Africa, and right now we have a unique opportunity to put ivory bans on the global agenda.
Until February 2, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service is taking public input on what proposals it will bring to the next meeting of governments who are a part of CITES – an international treaty that protects elephants, rhinos, and other endangered animals by regulating or banning their trade – and we need to make sure closing all ivory markets is on the list.
Thanks to your consistent activism, momentum for ivory bans is building. Not only will the U.S. market be closed soon, but China and Hong Kong have also said they will close their markets. Several African governments have asked that all CITES countries adopt a ban on domestic ivory sales.
But so far, the U.S. is undecided about putting domestic ivory bans on the CITES agenda – we need your help to make sure they do the right thing. The deadline to weigh in is February 2. Submit your comment in support of a global ivory ban now!
It's going to take every last one of us doing what we can to stop the killing, stop the trafficking, stop the demand, and save elephants.

Next, Elephants and Other Animals Suffering at the Hands of the Carson & Barnes CircusCarson & Barnes Family Circus and other circuses around the world, animals experience suffering in the hands of their trainers, (this includes those beautiful elephants, miniature horses and ponies, bears, big cats, camels, and others). To learn the tricks they perform for us, they have to endure years of being yelled at. being hit by bullhooks, electric prods, whips, or the angry and frustrated hands of their trainers, (like painful lip twists given to the horses).Please Help Suffering Of Animals At Carson & Barnes Circus


Carson & Barnes Circus Cruelty   Graphic Video

Carson & Barnes Circus forces various wild animals to perform unnatural tricks, including elephants, who in the wild walk tens of miles a day and live in large, tight-knit family groups in which female offspring remain with their mothers for life. In contrast, circuses cruelly separate calves from their mothers at less than two years of age and train them through pain, prolonged confinement and physical punishment.

ANIMALS EXPLOITED FOR ENTERTAINMENT: Circuses


http://www.da4a.org/circus.htm


The Circus is notorious for its appearance on an undercover video in which elephant trainer Tim Frisco instructs employees on how to train elephants. In it, he states: “Don’t touch ‘em. Hurt ‘em! Make ’em scream. When you hear that screaming, then you know you got their attention. If you’re scared to hit ‘em, don’t come into the barn. You can’t do it on the road. I’m not gonna touch her in front of a thousand people.”


Like all circuses, Carson & Barnes dominates elephants through dominance and physical punishment meted out with the bullhook, steel-tipped device similar to a fireplace poker used to prod, hook, stab, strike and threaten elephants into obedience. These abuses typically occur out of public view. 


BAN Elephant Rides and Performances. She has lost hope. You can see it in her eyes.

#Elephants do NOT belong in captivity! #BoycottTheCircus #SayNoToCaptivity(This is Nina from Carson and Barnes Circus. Image : Peta2)

✔Petitions ✔
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-ca/3/End-Animal-Suffering-At-Carson-Barnes-Circus/

https://www.change.org/p/tell-carson-barnes-circus-to-retire-their-elephants-now


The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act

The Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act. With the passage of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, Congress aims to amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses and traveling exhibitions.

Traveling circuses are detrimental to animal welfare because of the adverse effects of captivity and transport. Due to severe confinement, lack of free exercise, and the restriction of natural behaviors, animals used in traveling circuses suffer and are prone to health, behavioral, and psychological problems. Careful research and detailed undercover investigations have shown the welfare of animals and safety of the public is unacceptably compromised under the confinement and the daily brutality of life on the road with a traveling circus. Law enforcement authorities have difficulty enforcing Federal animal health, safety, and welfare laws, and violations. Due to the mobile and transitory nature of traveling circuses, law enforcement cannot properly monitor the conditions of the animals or follow up on previous infractions by the traveling circuses.

Congress has a responsibility to protect the welfare of animals and ensure public safety. A prohibition on the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling circuses is proportionate, responsible, and the least expensive solution to this problem.
Reasons to support the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act
  • Protects wild and exotic animals
  • Prevents public safety hazard
  • Saves taxpayer money
Please support and pass the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act, the bill that will stop circus suffering.
The Cost of RegulationMonitoring of animal welfare and enforcement of regulations is expensive:
  • The USDA inspected Carson & Barnes Circus 42 times from 2007 to 2010.
  • The average cost per inspection was $1363 – a total cost of $57,246.
  • Although US records do not break down regulation costs specific to circuses, worldwide statistics show licensing and inspections for animal circuses is costly. In the UK, the Department of the Environment estimates that the annual cost of inspecting the country’s 4 animal circuses (with just 30 animals) would be $13,000 – $19,000. The cost in the United States is likely far greater since the US land mass is almost 38 times that of the UK with approximately six times as many circuses to inspect.
  • For more information on the cost of regulation, please see our Economics Briefing.
ACTION NEEDED: Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act - TEAPA Campaign.
The USDA refuses to enforce the regulations of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) so Animal Defender’s International (ADI) is leading the reintroduction of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA). This bill will put an end to the use of wild and exotic animals in circuses.
This page is a grassroots movement to help support this critical bill by bringing animal rights advocates together to urge Congressional representatives to sponsor and support the passage of TEAPA.
A phone call to your Congressional reps is the most effective way to communicate and WILL GET ATTENTION. Advocates need only say that you are calling to request Senator/Representative _____ sponsor and/or support the reintroduction and passage of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA) bill. Emails may also be sent and do help!
In the US, support the reintroduction of the Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act (TEAPA), find your Congressional Reps here: 1.usa.gov/1e8pAws 1.usa.gov/1K9O1ZJ
There are two STATE-level efforts currently underway. If you live in Pennsylvania or New York, please contact your Congressional Reps! Time is of the essence!
In Pennsylvania, support Bill S698: bit.ly/1egbWFr
For more information please click on this link: http://www.ad-international.org/publications/go.php?id=4054
In NY, support Bill A1405: bit.ly/1D8jbg8
For more information please click on this link:http://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2015/a1405
For more information, please follow this Facebook page and also Contact ADI to get involved USA@ad-international.org
Get the Facts and make a change in your community: www.stopcircussuffering.com
The city of Missoula, Montana has voted to ban animal performances! http://www.stopcircussuffering.com/…/missoula-city-council…/
What this would do is help the likes of Nosey and in Nosey news this week, There is good news to report to everyone! 2 separate venues have cancelled Nosey, which means more rest for Nosey! Both the First Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Florida and the Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval Festival also in Florida, have both used the Leibel circus and Nosey in the past at their annual fundraising events. But this year both venues have made the compassionate decision to not host Nosey! We've sent our thanks to each of the venues. Change is happening, slowly but surely! ~ Action for Nosey Now
Nosey's Rangers Speak out for Nosey the Elephant. Children speak out for Nosey (AKA Tiny) the elephant asking for help to get Nosey retired to a sanctuary ASAP!! Nosey's appearance is quickly deteriorating and it is only a matter of time before she either lays down and is unable to stand up again, or before she hurts someone due to her pain and lifetime long abuse. For over 30 years Nosey has traveled in a small trailer around the world performing with the Liebel Family Circus (AKA Great American Family Circus), or walking in a circle giving rides to both adults and children. She is stumbling while carrying children on her back, it is not safe to ride Nosey!! She has been held as a solitary elephant for the Liebel's for almost her entire life, isn't it about time she can retire and finally be around other elephants? She deserves it! Please listen to Nosey's Rangers, they are our future, and our hope for Nosey!! Brought to you by Nosey's Voice (find us on Facebook). Thank you to PETA, IDA, TES (Tennessee Elephant Sanctuary), Orcaball, parents, teachers, the Kids, and members of Nosey's Voice.
This Hopeful Image of the Future for Elephants Will Inspire You to Stand Up to Save Them! 

Our greed for ivory is killing Africa’s elephants at a rate of one animal every fifteen minutes. That comes out to be almost one hundred animals a day, dead because of mankind’s insatiable lust for ivory jewelry, nameplates, piano keys, and a whole myriad of other frivolous items.

With prices soaring as high as $1,500 a pound, and the elephant population dwindling, protecting Africa’s elephants a more dangerous job than ever before. While the people tasked with protecting the world’s remaining elephants have an incredibly daunting job, the value of the work they do is immeasurable.  Among the many organizations who have stepped up in defense of the elephant is The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT).

DSWT, located in Nairobi Kenya was founded in 1977 as a refuge for Africa’s orphaned and injured elephants. Since then, they have been leading the way in conservation, raising orphaned elephants so they can be released back into the wild in Kenya’s protected Tsavo National Park. Although the picture painted of the impact of the illegal ivory trade on elephants is often bleak, the work that DSWT offers a glimmer of hope for the future.

This is the sort of world DSWT is helping to build for Africa’s elephants.
Elephants Wild and free
Without their help, none of the elephants in this picture would have survived in the wild, but as they grow up and return to their natural environment, they each will play an important role in restoring the African elephant population.

The work that DSWT is amazing, but without the joint help from individuals who are actively working to end the ivory trade, it could all be for not.

Recently, baby steps have been taken to protect Africa’s elephants, with companies like UPS taking a stand against shipping ivory. However, without an aggressive international ban on all ivory products, there will still be a vicious black market. We can all help by refusing to purchase any item made with ivory – or any other elephant product, and sharing this post to raise awareness!

If you would like to learn more about DSWT, you can visit their website here. Image source: DSWT

Urgent Petition: 23 Baby Elephants Will Die Unless The Chinese Government Steps In. Twenty-three baby elephants imported to China from Zimbabwe in July 2015 are being held in tiny cages at the Qingyuan Quarantine Facility in Guandong with only a tiny, barred, concrete slab as their exercise yard. To make it worse the elephants are unable to reach through the bars to reach a water pool. Click Here To Help!
[image]
Network for Animals has discovered that the elephants are destined for a new zoo being built in Qingyuan, a city in southern China, but the zoo will only be ready to take them in 2018, at the earliest.  Until then the babies will be held in conditions so bad that they are unlikely to survive.

Network for Animals’ African director David Barritt has just returned from China where he tried to persuade Chinese authorities to provide better living conditions for the elephants.  “The elephants are all sick and display serious wounds and other signs of being in poor condition,” said Barritt.  “The chances of them surviving in these conditions are very poor. We have visual evidence that the elephants are crammed together in tiny cages and are allowed out for one or two hours a day into a barred concrete yard that gives them no room to exercise. These are appalling conditions that are deadly for their health and mental well-being.  If disease and ill-treatment doesn’t kill them, the mental anguish they are enduring will.”

Mr Zhou Zhihua is Deputy Director of The Endangered Species Export and Import Management Control Department at the State Forestry Commission in Beijing. Join us now, and  implore him to intervene in this matter. Otherwise these twenty-three baby elephants are destined to die, one by one. Click Here To Help!

Twenty three baby elephants being held in horrible conditions in a Chinese quarantine facility are likely to die unless I can persuade the Chinese government to intervene and provide them with a larger living area.

One elephant, from the twenty four originally abducted and transported has already died. The survivors are showing signs of illness and poor physical and mental condition.  I cannot stand by and see this happen.  I urgently need to save these elephants.

These elephants are being held in tiny cages with only a small, barred, concrete yard to exercise in once a day.  What makes it worse is that these poor creatures face two more years in these conditions before the new zoo they are destined for is built.

I am tormented by the video my team obtained showing the babies with open wounds and being prodded through the bars by men with long prods.

The zoo is doing nothing to help, the elephants only chance is if we can help the Chinese government to get them a big enough area where they can exercise and interact with one another.  I am doing all I can but need your help to do more.

Elephants in Taman Safari Indonesia
Saving the Borneo Elephant Documentary - Best National Geographic Documentary 2015
Yahoo Has Backlash Over Links to Ivory Trade. Activists are putting pressure on Yahoo to curb the sale of ivory products on its websites. They are arguing that the company's Japan branch is fueling—and profiting from—illegal elephant poaching. An online petition launched by activist organization Avaaz urging the technology giant to stop the “deadly” ivory trade taking place through Yahoo and it already has over 1 million signatures. While Yahoo Japan is an independent company, the Sunnyvale-headquartered company owns a 35 percent stake in the business and has to claim some kind of responsibility.
Yahoo is making a killing selling ivory which companies like Google refuse to touch. But right now the company is under pressure to keep employees happy -- let’s make sure every last one of them knows Yahoo’s bloody secret. Sign and share this across the web now:  The ivory trade is pushing elephants to the edge of extinction, and Yahoo is making a killing from trinket sales in Japan! But right now we have a chance to end this corporate complicity.


Several big brands like Google and Amazon are refusing to sell ivory. Yahoo is one of the few major online markets left. But we could influence that decision. Right now Yahoo is losing some of its best employees, and the CEO is offering millions to convince people to stay. If we threaten to lift the lid on Yahoo’s bloody secret, she could lose staff even faster, and may reconsider the costs of this cruel trade.

100 elephants are being massacred a day, and their emotional intelligence means they understand the horror of what is happening to them. Let’s raise a million voices to protect these majestic creatures -- Avaaz will run an advertising blitz and target Yahoo employees worldwide to demand change from the inside. Add your voice now: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/yahoo_ivory_loc/?bIQwIeb&v=71540&cl=9274421812

Ivory sales on Yahoo Japan are exploding, growing from around $2 million in 2010 to $7 million in 2014. Yahoo Japan is separate from the global firm Yahoo, but the global company is its second largest shareholder, and has a massive say on policy.

Yahoo’s CEO, Marissa Mayer, is under threat. Yahoo’s financial performance has been poor, some investors want her gone, and employees are demoralised -- over a third of the workforce left in the last year. The last thing she needs right now is to be distracted by even more bad publicity and employee anger. And if we win on Yahoo, we can use the momentum to go after the other companies that still allow ivory sales online.

With experts warning that elephants could be extinct in the wild in just one or two decades, there is no time to delay. If we raise the alarm about Yahoo’s involvement in the slaughter with employees and the media, CEO Mayer will be under pressure to follow other responsible companies and ban ivory from the site. Act now and share this story so the whole world knows:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/yahoo_ivory_loc/?bIQwIeb&v=71540&cl=9274421812

When nearly 1.4 million Avaazers and WWF supporters joined Leonardo DiCaprio in a call to the Thai prime minister to end her country’s unregulated ivory market, we left so many comments on her Facebook page that it was temporarily shut down! Our pressure forced her to listen -- and she pledged to end the unregulated trade. Now let's shut down another major part of the trade in these precious animals' tusks!


Baby Elephant Who Was Trapped All Alone on an Island Gets Rescued. Muchichili is a one-year-old elephant calf with quite the tale to tell. He was rescued from a tiny island in the Zambezi river by a group of dedicated volunteers, working with the Elephant Orphan Project. The Elephant Orphan Project (EOP) is an elephant sanctuary devoted to the care and management of Zambia’s baby elephants who have been orphaned by poaching and human conflict.

When they found poor Muchichili, nicknamed Muchi, it was reported that he had been alone on the island for weeks. Although it is customary to wait and see if the herd returns when rescuing baby elephants, Muchi was still dependent on his mother’s milk and needed immediate attention. He had to be tranquilized for safe transport. Upon inspection, the team saw the true extent of how thin and emaciated he had become.


It took ten people to carry the youngster back to the waiting boats, which had a 30 minute trip back to the Kanyemba Lodge. Here, he had to again be carried from the boat to a waiting truck, which transported him to the Lilayi Elephant Nursery (LEN), outside of Lusaka.

Elephant Calf Rescue 2
When they arrived at the LEN, Muchi seemed to perk up at the sight of other elephants. After being by himself on that island, he was clearly lonely and enjoyed the attention of the other elephants and keepers. After some playtime, it was time for bed, and the staff reports that the exhausted baby elephant happily followed the others into the barn.
Elephant Calf Rescue 7
It’s common for rescued baby elephants to experience a bit of a crash due to the rush of adrenaline they get from their initial arrival. In Muchi’s case, this happened on his second day. To help him recover, he got an IV and bed rest. Luckily, it was short lived. He was back up and eating again in no time!
Elephant Calf Rescue 3
Like the other elephants at the sanctuary, he will remain at the LEN until he is old enough to move to Zambia’s protected Kafue National Park. There he will join another, larger herd of youngsters who are being transitioned back into the wild, where they belong.
Elephant Calf Rescue 5
If you would like to learn more about Muchi or the work being done by Zambia’s Elephant Orphan Project, you may visit their website by clicking here.  All image source: International Fund for Animal Welfare/Flickr

Baby Elephant : Revenge Of The Tire.
At Elephant Nature Park, All of elephants roam free freely and have a chance to play. Normally they have everything under control. But this time, there seems to be a problem with a tire. Look like elephant play cross fit. More info: www.saveelephant.org

Hong Kong steps up for elephants. The government is actively exploring phasing out domestic ivory trade.
elephants walking in a line
In a landmark move for elephants, the government of Hong Kong is actively exploring phasing out domestic ivory trade. The government is also set to strengthen efforts to tackle the illegal ivory trade.

Every year, around 30,000 elephants are killed in Africa for their tusks, primarily to satisfy the demand for ivory products in Asia. Hong Kong is a key part of this trade as a major transit and retail hub, with a study last year revealing that there were more ivory items for sale in Hong Kong than in any other city in the world.
“The Chief Executive’s decision represents a significant step toward the end of Hong Kong’s ivory trade and a major milestone for elephant conservation,” said Gavin Edwards, Conservation Director, WWF-Hong Kong. “It is no longer a question of if a ban is needed—we can focus on when and how to end Hong Kong’s ivory trade.”

Hong Kong began the destruction of a staggering 28 tons of ivory, the world’s largest ivory stockpile, in 2014. Last year, WWF-Hong Kong launched its campaign to end the ivory trade in concert with other conservation organizations, legislators, and with wide support from the public. WWF-Hong Kong released a report that revealed fundamental flaws in the regulations governing the domestic ivory trade that allowed traders to launder illegal ivory from Africa—contributing directly to the elephant poaching crisis.

Tens of thousands of Hong Kongers signed a WWF petition to ban the trade, which WWF handed to the city’s lawmakers Jan. 12.

“The Hong Kong government has listened to the voices of the city’s people and politicians who have been clearly calling for a ban,” said Cheryl Lo, Senior Wildlife Crime Officer, WWF-Hong Kong. “Hong Kong can now play a leadership role and strike a major blow against the global illegal ivory trade and wildlife crime.”

Together with our partners and supporters, WWF works to combat illicit trade and reduce consumer demand for illegal ivory by supporting anti-poaching activities, monitoring illegal trade routes, working to reduce consumer demand and identifying effective enforcement mechanisms.

Shut Down Thailand’s Abusive Elephant Village.

baby-elephant-by-Charlie-Costin-Facebook
Target: Thai Society of the Prevention of Cruelty Director,  Suthisak Sucha
Goal: Shut down an elephant village where an employee allegedly physically abused a baby elephant in front of tourists.
A couple of tourists were at an elephant village in Thailand when they allegedly caught the physical abuse of a three-year-old baby elephant on film. A staff member at Damnoen Saduak Elephant Village is seen in the video approaching the poor calf in a threatening manner with his fist raised. When the calf cowers away in fear, the cruel man jerks its ear, sending the animal to the ground shrieking in pain. He then kicks the elephant’s foot and chained it up. The sickening, proud smile the abuser displays afterward shows that this cruel behavior is not frowned upon at the village.
The elephant’s instant reaction of fear when the aggressive man first approaches the animal speaks volumes. It’s clear the elephant is familiar with aggressive, threatening, and abusive handling. The threat of his fist alone should be enough to have him fired and charged with animal abuse. Since the elephant is clearly suffering physical abuse by the staff, the entire elephant village should be shut down. It’s bad enough the elephants are forced to survive in unhealthy, closed quarters. There’s no excuse for this deplorable display of cruelty to an innocent animal.
According to outlets, the only punishment the monster who abused the elephant received was suspension, and the owner of the facility defended him. Demand that the Damnoen Saduak Elephant Village be forced to shut down permanently, and the poor animals be sent to a safe sanctuary.
PETITION LETTER: Click Here To Help!
Dear Suthisak Sucha,
A baby elephant at the Damneon Saduak Elephant Village was reportedly abused physically by a staff member who smiled proudly after threatening the calf with his fist, then hurting its ear so badly it went to the ground shrieking in pain. He then kicked its foot before chaining it up. This blatant display of horrific abuse shows that the village has no regard for elephant lives. They’re using these poor innocent elephants and abusing them for fun.
These sick monsters should be prosecuted. We demand that action be taken immediately to shut the Damneon Saduak Elephant Village down permanently and relocate the poor animals to a safe sanctuary.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Charlie Costin
Baby Elephant Carries His Stick Toy Like a Proud Little Puppy. Typically, we wouldn’t think that we could connect with elephants on the level that we do with the animals many of us spend our days with. But baby elephants are as playful as any kitten or puppy. If you’ve been keeping track of our baby elephant videos, by now, you must be pretty aware of the silliness that these little pachyderms are capable of. Like any young one, human or animal, they’re super-playful. Baby elephants seem to be particularly thwarted by tires — but they never let that stop them from trying to master the tricky toy.

It looks like Yindee, a resident of Elephant Nature Park, has found something that he thinks is way better than any ol’ tire: a stick that he tore from a tree with his little trunk.

Look at how proud he is of his very own toy!
Baby Elephant Has the Time of His Life With the Best Toy Ever
We wonder what kind of antics little Yindee is going to get into with his trusty new tree branch, but it looks like he’s ready for adventure! It’s funny how something as simple as a photo of a baby elephant with a stick can help us connect with these majestic animals. If you can’t get enough elephant pictures, then check out Elephant Nature Park’s official Facebook page. Image source: Elephant Nature Park/Facebook.

Shocking Approval: Elephants Will Be Torn From Africa and Imprisoned In U.S. For Entertainment

In Defense of Animals
BREAKING NEWS: In a shocking and irresponsible move, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making a devastating announcement today that it will allow 18 young African elephants kidnapped from the wild and their families to be shipped to three U.S. zoos. Using the guise of "conservation," these poor elephants will be imprisoned in miserable conditions for the rest of their lives. Other viable plans for these allegedly "overpopulated in their area" elephants would have seen these elephants remain in Africa, but they were ignored by the corporations looking to exploit them.

This news comes just one week after we dubbed the three zoos complicit in this awful travesty "The Terrible Trio" and named and shamed them with the #1 spot on our list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America.

The elephants have been sold out to line zoos' pockets. It is a truly despicable move which puts cash before conservation. Please avoid supporting this suffering and the conservation con - don't visit zoos. Click here to read our press release.

Is The following a Joke?! U.S. to Import 18 African Elephants to Put in America’s Three Worst Zoos. Elephants need all the help they can get. An estimated 100 African elephants are killed each day by poachers seeking ivory, meat, and other body parts. If we want elephants to still be on this Earth for our grandchildren to see, we need to be doing everything we can to help this species survive in the wild. Knowing this, we just can’t wrap our heads around why the U.S. has granted a permit to import 18 elephants from Swaziland, to be put behind bars in three of the worst zoos in the country.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is giving the green light to the Dallas Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo to obtain three adult females, three young males, and 12 young females from Big Game Parks, a game reserve. Zoos are notoriously terrible places for elephants to live, but these three destinations have a reputation for being some of the worst places for elephants.

According to In Defense of Animals, Big Game Parks last exported elephants to U.S. zoos in 2003, claiming they would have to otherwise kill elephants because the population had grown too large. Too large meaning 40 elephants! At that time, U.S. zoos paid $100,000 to Big Game Parks for 11 elephants. This time, in exchange for the 18 elephants, the zoos are offering Big Game Parks $450,000. In return, the zoos expect to make millions off of the exhibit’s ticket sales. The zoos claim to be rescuing the elephants as Big Game Parks has said it would otherwise cull them since they supposedly pose a threat to the rhino population on the reserve, but this is a dubious statement as the elephants are kept confined to small areas in two parks, consisting mainly of two elephant-proof enclosures. In addition, viable alternatives have been suggested, such as relocating the elephants to a protected park or sanctuary outside Swaziland, that would keep the elephants in Africa, where they would have the greatest conservation value.

While zoos claim to work in the name of conservation, the fact of the matter is that elephants in zoos will never be able to be returned to the wild. Therefore, keeping elephants in captivity does nothing to help their species populate. In addition, elephants suffer immensely in captivity and die prematurely. In the wild, can live on average to age 75, but the typical life expectancy among captive animals is only 20-30 years.

What Can You Do?

The best way to make a difference for elephants is to boycott zoos, circuses, and other establishments that hold them captive. Share this post to help raise awareness for these elephants and encourage others to do the same. Featured image source: Amanda Richards/Flickr


Shock Approval: Elephants Will Be Torn From Africa And Imprisoned In U.S. For Entertainment. In Defense of Animals has blasted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) following an announcement today that it will allow 18 young African elephants kidnapped from the wild and their families to be shipped to U.S. zoos under the guise of protecting them. The elephants will be further torn apart from each other and imprisoned in three separate zoos for the rest of their lives; an ugly alternative to other viable plans which would have seen the elephants remain in Africa, which were ignored. The news comes one week after these three zoos were dubbed the ‘terrible trio’, and named and shamed with the #1 spot on In Defense of Animals list of the 10 Worst Zoos for elephants in North America.
“This despicable move puts cash before conservation. The elephants have been sold out to line zoos’ pockets,” said In Defense of Animals President Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “It is deeply irresponsible of the USFWS to allow this precedent-setting removal of African elephants from Africa for a lifetime of captivity. Please avoid supporting this suffering and the conservation con – do not visit the zoo.”
“The zoos are rewarding Swaziland by paying large sums for capturing the elephants; thus making these and further captures lucrative for Swaziland and other governments” says Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., Elephant Scientist for In Defense of Animals. “This is a huge blow to conservation” she says. “Elephants in zoos will never be returned to Africa, as one would believe by the zoo’s conservation claims. These African elephants will live and die on American soil and concrete. It is the complete opposite of conservation – it is a desecration.”
Dallas, Henry Doorly and Sedgwick County zoos have spent at least $39 million on exhibits, and an additional $450,000 over five years to the vendor in Swaziland. Dr. Marilyn Kroplick noted, “Millions of dollars are being spent to bring these 18 elephants to the U.S. which could have conserved and protected generations of elephants in their natural habitats.”
The highly controversial plans by the zoos have earned them the dishonor of being shamed as #1 worst zoo, and the plans have been damned by over 75 of the world’s foremost conservation experts and elephant scientists. Sedgwick’s Director expects the move to “skyrocket the attendance” when babies are born to the kidnapped females.
Dr. Frohoff said, “Studies show elephants in zoos suffer higher early-onset illness, unusually high mortality and lower reproductive rates. Zoo captivity fails miserably to allow elephants to thrive, let alone successfully reproduce. There is no excuse for taking these incredible animals from their natural homes to restock zoos.” says Dr. Frohoff.
The three zoos claim to be saving elephants from culling, ivory poaching, drought or making ‘room for rhinos’. However, viable plans were never considered to ‘save’ the animals in their natural habitat, or relocate them on the African continent. The elephants will face the trauma of capture and cross continent relocation and risk developing chronic and often fatal physical ailments that afflict captive elephants, including foot disease, arthritis, TB exposure and herpes infection. A recent Gallup poll showed 57% of Americans are concerned by animal treatment in zoos.
In Defense of Animals is a recognized authority on elephants and produces the widely-respected list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephant in North America. For more information, please visit http://www.idausa.org/2015tenworstzoos
NOTESLetter from 80 elephant experts and conservationists, including In Defense of Animals, opposing the export.
PSA against the Import by Elephant Experts. USFWS announcement.
Stop Shipment of Wild Elephants to U.S. Zoos. 
Elephant Michael Nichols
Target: Secretary Sally Jewell, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS)
Goal: Move elephants to accredited sanctuaries similar to their natural habitat rather than shipping them to the confinement of U.S. zoos.
Unfortunately, elephant populations have been on the decline due to poaching for ivory and habitat loss. There has been discussion on the best ways to protect these elephants, but it seems that there is no true solution. One proposition was to take a handful of elephants away from the home they’ve known their entire lives, the wild, and ship them to U.S. zoos.
The USFWS has approved of this plan and will allow 18 elephants to be shipped from Africa to either the Dallas Zoo, Sedgwick County Zoo or the Henry Doorly Zoo.
Conservation for these animals is very important, however this proposition just seems to be another way for people to make money. Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, president of In Defense of Animals, stated that “this despicable move puts cash before conservation. It is deeply irresponsible of the USFWS to allow this precedent-setting removal of African elephants from Africa for a lifetime of captivity.”
Zoos are confining for these huge creatures. Since these African elephants are in danger if they stay in the wild, they must be moved to an accredited sanctuary that mimics their native habitat.
Sign this petition and tell the USFWS that there are more effective ways to help elephants in the wild. These elephants should not be forced to a lifetime of confinement.
PETITION LETTER: Click here To Help!
Dear Secretary Jewell,
The U.S. Department of the Interior is allowing 18 elephants to be shipped from Africa to a select few zoos in the United States. This is supposedly in order to help the declining elephant populations in Africa due to poaching for ivory and habitat loss. However, it seems that this move is more for profit than compassion.
Conservation is very important for these animals. However, there are more effective ways to help these elephants and it is time these solutions are explored more. It is not right to take 18 elephants from the wild, the place they have considered home their entire lives, and move them to a lifetime of captivity surrounded by large, loud crowds of people. Instead of zoos, move these elephants into an accredited sanctuary that mimics their native habitat.
Please look into other ways of helping these elephants. No elephant should be forced into a lifetime of confinement.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Michael Nichols
This Little Baby Elephant is Only a Few Hours Old, But He Already Has Everything He Needs. Elephants are known for their ability to form strong bonds to their family members. Many of us have seen the iconic, and heart wrenching, images of these beautiful creatures grieving over the bones of their dead herd members and mourning the loss of their loved ones. Obviously, these incredibly intelligent animals belong in the wild and deserve to be free.

Elephants are also known to share joyful moments with one another. One of the most amazing being, instances of these animals greeting their loved ones including welcoming new babies to the herd including the image below.

This sweet little baby elephant is only just a few hours old, but as you can see from this photo he already has everything he needs — his family.
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This moment is something that all elephants deserve, unfortunately, because of human actions many never get to experience this sort of happiness.  Rather than getting to live out their lives in the wild, Asian elephants are sold into the tourism industry and circuses, while African elephants are poached for their ivory.

Baby elephants are known to stay with their mother for up to 15-years after being born, but because of our actions, too many babies are either orphaned and left to fend for themselves in the wild or captured and put on display for our entertainment. This is a far cry from the life the elephant above will get to live – and it’s all because of us.

Thankfully, things are beginning to change as people recognize the grave position that elephants are facing. As a result of our own greed, this species is predicted to be extinct within the next two decades if we don’t make a change. However, there is hope, and it comes from organizations like The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This amazing group is working to rescue and rehabilitate elephants so that they can grow up and return to the wild. The photo above is the ultimate happy ending David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust hopes to make possible for all the animals in their care.

We can all take a stand for elephants by boycotting circuses and zoos that hold them captive. Share this post and help raise awareness for the plight of elephants. Image source: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust/Facebook.


Here is a clip of our lovely eles ‪#‎Mia‬ and ‪#‎Sita‬ enjoying a peaceful afternoon by their favorite spot at the‪#‎ElephantConservationandCareCentre‬‪#‎Mathura‬. Having spent decades in captivity under unimaginably painful conditions, it is heart-warming to see the two former circus elephants in such a carefree and happy spirit. Click here to check it out.
Wildlife trafficking is a lucrative industry that feeds on the lives of apes, rhinos, elephants and other majestic African species – but a new bill in the U.S. Senate could help us fight back.

1 - All 4 of Africa's Great Apes Are Endangered.
2 - Rhino Horn Sells For Almost $30K A Pound.
3 - Nearly 100 Elephants Are Poached Every Day For Their Ivory.