Salsa

Let's talk about some misinformation out there. People are saying that Africam isn't listed on any registry for elephants? They are on ISIS registry and have been for years, as required by AZA accreditation. Unfortunately people assume and don't bother to look under "Puebla" in the ISIS records, which is where their elephants are listed. ISIS is the largest animal database in the world.
AZA accreditation applicants do so voluntarily, and then must pass a difficult inspection, of which only a small percentage have managed. AZA elephant standards have been mandatory for years. There is nothing voluntary about AZA elephant standards, except in the case where elephants may be difficult to socialize for various reasons. In these rare cases, for the sake of the animal (animals like elephants have different personalities within their species), the AZA might grant some exceptions towards managing animals by themselves, while acknowleging that they are social creatures by nature. Many people are actually claiming Jenny was mistreated at the Dallas Zoo because of some behavioral problems that were being managed several years ago when she was a solitary animal. Did anyone check the FOIA records where a specific veterinarian said the Dallas Zoo "should be commended" for their management of Jenny? That vet's name is Susan Mikota, the same primary vet who now works at the Elephant Sancutary. You can find those records on-line and her vet bio on their website.
As for protection under U.S. laws, there are multiple zoos in Canada that are AZA-accredited as well as two zoos in Mexico that are accredited. Believe it or not, there are places that care for animals within an entire country. It's a little appalling that people stereotype an entire country as not caring about animals. Yes, people are correct that there are some issues in certain areas of the country, but let's not bring Africam into that debate because not only are they one of about 30 institutions accredited by the Mexican asssociation of zoos, they are also one of two institutions in Mexico that are AZA-accredited and probably the wealthiest zoo in Mexico. People keep talking about USDA laws, but do they realize USDA inspects thousands of animal facilities in the United States each year, and they only visit each facility about once per year? AZA guidelines have been adopted in countries around the world and are recognized to be far tougher than USDA. Have zoos and sanctuaries been cited by USDA? Yes, and good for the USDA for helping to be a watchdog when necessary, but those violations in AZA-accredited zoos are a very small percentage at best. The Concerned Citizens debate has been viewed for some time, and it's great that there is respect for animals, provided its heartfelt and not because they are trying to close down places that have animals for people to learn about and for the benefit of conserving species. The points that have been made really aren't valid: A) There is a female elephant for companionship of Jenny, B) AZA is far more than a "trade" organization, and anyone can see that from their website www.aza.org, and their application may be voluntary if you feel you can pass the rigorous inspection, but their standards, especially with elephants are mandatory C) Jenny will have one of the bigger elephant exhibits in AZA-accredited zoos in the country, easily 10 times bigger than what she has had. D) AZA accreditation is mandatory, the Zoo still owns Jenny and is responsible for her overall care, AZA standards are more strict than USDA standards under the Animal Welfare Act, and just like it applies to the five AZA-accredited zoos in Canada, those mandatory standards will apply to the Africam zoo in Puebla. It's funny, the five zoos in Canada aren't protected under the Animal Welfare Act, but there doesn't seem to be a concern for their elephants. Let's stand together against animal abuse and people who don't care about wildlife, not work against these groups that are really trying to help. Even if you don't see the other side, we should agree that caring about animals is common ground, and there are many people who could care less about animals. Those individuals deserve our focus in my opinion.