Kellymac1

Salsa:

Show us the ISIS link that lists ALL the elephants that have ever lived and died at Africam please - and what they died from and their ages at death. This information would go a long way to give Africam credibility. What experience does Africam have working with and integrating a new herd of African elephants? Especially a difficult case like Jenny --- They only have Asians. This is a potentially dangerous situation for the keepers, staff, public and other elephants at Africam.

re: Canada vs. Mexico Different standards in these countries and everyone knows it. Elephants shouldn't be in northern climates so Canada has its own ele-problems to deal with. There aren't a lot of Canadians illegally crossing the border into the U.S. -- or, maybe you could let us know something about this that we don't.

But getting back to Jenny, sending this troubled elephant to a place where she will be subjected to cars, noise, fumes when she hasn't done well being in the zoo is not smart. Also, when her African elephant "companions" arrive they will undoubtedly be breeding them so will have to keep Jenny seperate - another blow for her. The zoo has provided us a picture of "Shanty" her potential companion (with no info about her health or background, only that she is young) which is another indication that Africam is not the right place for Jenny. We could not locate "Shanty" in any registry or studbook either. A young , African elephant is not a suitable choice of companion for her, per the Dallas Zoo's own records. Prior to bringing in the late Keke, the zoo's records stated, "It is felt that Jenny was able to easily intimidate her previous companions due to their age. The staff will seek a companion that has previously demonstrated confidence with other elephants and that is at least of the same age as Jenny." Why is the zoo doing something that is contrary to its own recommendations? Could it be because placing her in AZA approved zoo is more important that what is right and best for Jenny?

Because the AZA is calling the shots here they plan to ship her away to a noisy place with no guarantees that she will integrate well -- they're setting her up for failure.

You can defend the AZA all you want, but there is too much evidence to support the fact that the AZA does have the best interests in mind for elephants -- and -- it's clearly demonstrated by the fact that AZA’s minimum standards (which are already unacceptable for elephants) are not even enforced. 52% of AZA zoos do not meet AZA's own minimum space requirements and have received waivers. A number of zoos hold solitary elephants, even though that also contravenes AZA minimum standards (female elephants never live alone in the wild) and violates the cardinal rule of humane treatment, providing this most social animal appropriate companionship. Nevertheless, no AZA zoo has lost, much less risked its accreditation by holding an elephant in solitary confinement not to mention chaining them at night causing them huge stress and suffering. Other AZA zoo’s that have agreed to send some or all of their elephants to sanctuaries are the zoos in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia only to name a few. If these AZA zoos believed sanctuary was best for their elephants, what’s the matter with Hudson?

Respectfully yours,

Kelly, Sandy, Sally

Thank you so much for your analysis of our concerns.

I think the contract and legal verification of its validity and ability to be enforced given the U.S./Mexico complications will reassure many of us!

Many, many thanks!

FYI --here's Zoo Director Hudson's response to those who write to him concerned about Jenny. It's copied and paste below.

I'd like to add that what is troubling many of us is that AZA guidelines are not enforced at zoos in the U.S. And reaccreditation is granted even without compliance with AZA minimum guidelines. Then what guarantees are there of the standard of her care in MEXICO?

Also Africam doesn't list their Asian elephants in any zoological registry nor in the studbook which is also not in compliance of AZA. They've never had ANY African elephants at this place and no elephants who have ever lived or died at Africam have been documented. So we do not know what happened to them (how long they lived, what caused their death). Legally speaking, what guarantees has the Dallas Zoo given the citizens that she WILL still be under the jurisdiction of U.S. laws once she crosses that border? I've checked with a couple of lawyers that I know and they are doubtful that she would have any protections that the Zoo claims she would have. I think before they ship her off they should have their legal counsel issue a statement about this to assure the public. How will they be able to ever bring her back to Dallas if she's not legally able to come back?

Here's his statement:

July 18, 2008

Thank you for your interest and concern regarding Jenny, the Dallas Zoo’s elephant. The Dallas Zoo is committed to providing the highest quality of care for our animals. After careful consideration of various AZA accredited zoological parks and our current elephant habitat at the Dallas Zoo, the Zoo staff has decided that Jenny the elephant will be going to Africam Safari Park in Puebla, Mexico later this year so that she can socialize with other elephants in a fantastic facility.

Jenny has been a resident of our Dallas Zoo for over 21 years. She has received tremendous care during her stay. It has been a very difficult decision for the staff of our Zoo but they have made this decision with only the best interest of this beloved animal in mind. She will be on loan to this facility and will remain the responsibility of the Dallas Zoo. She could be brought back to the Dallas Zoo if we so choose.

It’s important to understand that Africam Safari Park, like the Dallas Zoo, San Diego Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, Columbus Zoo, and approximately 215 other zoos and aquariums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is an ACCREDITED facility through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) (www.aza.org). Africam Safari Park has passed their inspection process and has an excellent elephant facility, including three elephants on their 617-acre forested preserve. They will also be adding another female African elephant by the end of the summer to be a constant companion for Jenny when she arrives this fall. Jenny will receive total quality care and will be cared for by a team of six full-time veterinarians, a full-time nutritionist, an enrichment professional as well as a staff of six dedicated solely to what will now be a total of five elephants (from a total staff of over 300 employees).

The AZA standards not only encompass USDA standards but they go beyond them. That’s why less than 10% of licensed USDA facilities are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and only two in all of Mexico. Even though USDA guidelines are not enforced in Mexico, by sending Jenny to an AZA accredited facility, we are assured that they practice the same stringent guidelines followed by the Dallas Zoo. Our Zoo will always have access to this facility to witness these standards in practice. The sanctuaries that have been mentioned by the animal activists as a possible place for Jenny do not have these comprehensive standards for operations and care as a part of their formal association.

Lastly, the Dallas Zoo will not be receiving financial remuneration for sending Jenny to the Africam Safari Park.

I hope this gives you a better understanding of Jenny’s new home and the care that she will be receiving. Africam Safari Park is a wonderful organization and we encourage you to visit their Web site at www.africamsafari.com.mx/ to learn more about their institution. The Dallas Zoo is committed to elephants and we look forward to having them back here in a new, wonderful habitat in the near future.

Sincerely,

Gregg Hudson Dallas Zoo Director

Thanks to everyone.......... We're not at all against zoos...we just want to offer for your consideration that not every zoo is the best possible place for a captive Asian or African elephant to spend the rest of their years. There are zoos that are terrific no doubt, but others that do not live up to their AZA credentials.

The reason to bring up Mexico is only to point out that it does have a problem with pet overpopulation and no plans or resources to deal with the problems. Agreed.....we have a terrible problem in our country with pet overpopulation, but there are organizations working on solutions as well as committing resources to this problem such as spay/neuter programs. We have made strides but still have a long way to go. However, Mexico doesn't have the awareness or the means to deal with the problem. If the U.S. with all of our resources doesn't yet have a handle on the pet population problem what chance does Mexico have? That's the point we were trying to make. Also, that laws for animal ownership won't apply once Jenny crosses the U.S. border -- it will be almost impossible to enforce bringing her back. That's what is worrying us also. We just hope that Jenny can stay in the U.S. at the best possible facility either aanother excellent zoo or sanctuary.

Sincerely, Kelly Sally Sandy

Hi ADUXXX:

We don't just think Mexico is bad for animal care - we KNOW it is firsthand!

In Mexico City in 1998, we witnessed 3 elephants chained in the hot sun for hours with no access to shade or water. When we inquired about their well being we were told that they were merely property, with no rights and to mind our own business. Upon further investigation, we learned that these elephants were not listed in any zoological registry and most likely continued to suffer and died an anonymous death. This image haunts me to this day.

Have you ever been to Mexico? Not at a swanky resort, but actually in the streets of Mexico? There are sick, stray dogs roaming the streets - Mexican animal shelters are filthy and practice inhumane forms of "euthanasia.” There is no funding or awareness for spay/neuter programs that would help to alleviate animal suffering--overall, a legacy of unwanted animals and cruel conditions. We have a border control problem in the U.S. for a very good reason! When humans are suffering so will animals and we all know that humans and animals alike suffer in Mexico.

Getting back to elephants. The Africam Safari Park does not list their elephants in any major zoological registry nor, do they list them in any elephant studbook (against AZA guidelines). They also don't have any records available of the elephants that have lived there in the past, for how long, and when they died. This is scary and does not bode well for Jenny’s future. Because we were concerned for Jenny’s future, we submitted a long list of questions to Mr. Hudson asking for details about Africam Safari Park’s history, governance, management, and financials, in addition to gaining a complete understanding of the total quality of life (and care) that is in store for her at this institution. He was unable to answer fully instead referring us to the AZA and its accreditation process as the primary source for his trust in this institution. We have submitted our questions instead to Jim Maddy, CEO of the AZA and are currently waiting for his response so we can learn more about Africam Safari Park. We searched, but couldn’t find the Africam Safari Park’s annual report or financial information on their website. www.africamsafari.com.mx It looks like a tourist attraction to us and that also doesn't bode well for Jenny's future.

We are not saying that Jenny absolutely must go to a sanctuary -- why not to one of the wonderful AZA accredited zoos that have great elephant programs: Oakland Zoo, North Carolina Zoo or the San Diego Zoo since she is on loan anyway?

Also, you're wrong that sanctuaries are closed to the public. The Elephant Sanctuary in TN allows visitors on volunteer days. It's a great way to offer support to the elephants - they are overseen by the USDA (an agency that actually has the AUTHORITY to enforce laws and the Animal Welfare Act UNLIKE the AZA) and they are a member of TAOS with their own high standards that far exceed AZA recommendations for the care of captive elephants. Just because a sanctuary approaches their care for elephants from a different philosophy than most zoos doesn’t mean that their valuable work should be discredited. The staff at The Elephant Sanctuary spends their energies caring for the elephants that have been "on display" and in some cases brutally abused at previous facilities -- their goal and mission is not to continue this practice. They are highly funded, take a look at their annual reports on www.elephants.com and are a FOUR STAR rated charity. If you investigate further you will see nothing “suspicious” about their work or vision. Also, PAWS in California DOES allow visitors just look at their web site for more details at www.pawsweb.org
I would recommend a visit to PAWS to see Annie who was abused at the AZA accredited Milwaukee zoo before she was released to PAWS. Chances are you might find her happily roaming the hills or napping in the grass, something she was never able to do in the AZA accredited facility she came from.

Sincerely, Kelly, Sandra and Sally Concerned for JENNY