LA Zoo and Billy

[spiritedlulu]

IDA PR ...

"It's outrageous that the USDA took so long to come to this pathetic conclusion, especially when the L.A. Zoo's negligence caused Gita to suffer a slow and agonizing death," said Catherine Doyle, IDA campaign director. "The paltry fine is nothing more than a slap on the wrist for the L.A. Zoo. It's a sad reflection on how little value is placed on the life of an endangered species like the Asian elephant."



http://www.savezooelephants.com/news_releases_10.html

[spiritedlulu]

L.A. Zoo officials ordered to report to city council committee over USDA investigation into elephant, chimp deaths

City Councilman Tony Cardenas has ordered Los Angeles Zoo officials to appear before a council committee to discuss the U.S. Department of Agriculture's investigation into the deaths of an elephant and a chimpanzee at the zoo three years ago.



http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/...elephant-c.html

[spiritedlulu]

IDA asks LA Civil Grand Jury to investigate LA Zoo cover-up of negligence in elephant death:

http://bit.ly/zOwdq

[Elephas maximus]

Court: Culp's lawsuit against LA Zoo can resume

LOS ANGELES — Actor Robert Culp can move ahead with a lawsuit to stop construction of an elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The star of the 1960s TV series "I Spy" and real estate agent Aaron Leider filed a lawsuit against the city in August 2007, alleging that the zoo did not treat the elephants well and the planned larger exhibit would be a waste of taxpayer money. But a judge dismissed their suit in 2008.

On Wednesday, a notification was posted on the 2nd District Court of Appeal's Web site saying that the Superior Court ruling dismissing the case was "reversed in full."

The City Council approved construction of the $42 million Pachyderm Forest exhibit in 2006.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/articl...b3GixAD9ATEDC81

[spiritedlulu]

Should Zoos Keep Elephants?

Some zoos have stopped keeping elephants, because they feel they can’t provide the best care for them any more. (Photo by Lauren Humphries, courtesy of the National Biological Information Infrastructure)

News of a zoo being investigated and fined has reignited the debate over keeping elephants in captivity. Rebecca Williams reports:


http://www.environmentreport.org/story.php?story_id=4605

[Cgl6006]

Zoo on Trial

At the heart of the Los Angeles Zoo, at the center of one the city's priciest controversies, stands what may be the world's largest shower.

For elephants.

When the water hits the big ears next fall, the 25-foot waterfall being built at the $42 million Pachyderm Forest will help launch one of the most advanced exhibits in the nation, zoo officials say.

"The elephants can stand right here and shower and bathe themselves," said zoo General Manager John Lewis, during a recent walk-through of the exhibit. "This is really coming along well. It'll be a great facility."

If animal activists get their way, however, the shower could be used by giraffes instead......

http://www.dailybreeze.com/latestnews/ci_13692224

[Space4Eles]

"I saw Billy the other day, he looks good," said Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district contains the zoo. "He's getting more space."

Councillor: please define "space" in terms of the needs of a megaherbivore, physically constructed to be on the move. Not the minimum amount of space for the elephants that a zoo can get away with, but the space the elephants need to experience at least some quality of life.
On this basis, and from what I have seen and read, zoos are totally inadequate centers for holding elephants.
The 2002 UK report by Clubb and Mason states:We identified several potential causes of poor welfare for zoo elephants ... These are as follows: restricted space and opportunities for exercise ...
Joyce Poole says: The space available should allow individuals the autonomy to choose among social partners: allowing association when the animals choose to be together and allowing a safe haven for individuals who want to, or need to, get away. The space should be large enough for elephants to go about their elephant business as naturally as possible – foraging (browsing and grazing), dusting, mud wallowing, swimming, resting under the shade of a tree, beating up bushes in play, and running about.
There are many other considerations, but just these criteria require space on the order of tens of square kilometres.
http://www.elephantvoices.org/faq-elephant...hants-need.html