San Antonio Zoo Is No Place For Queenie

FROM In Defense of Animals (IDA)

Please let the USDA know that any decision to send Queenie to the San Antonio Zoo, or any other zoo with a cramped and unnatural elephant exhibit, will be met with widespread public outrage. After all she's been through, Queenie deserves to live her final years at the spacious, natural habitat PAWS sanctuary.

CONTACT

Sign an online petition

And/Or better yet, make direct contact:

The Honorable Tom Vilsack, Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
fax (202) 720-2166

Mr. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator
APHIS/USDA
fax (202) 720-3054

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

In response to recent news reports about the future of the San Antonio Zoo's lone Asian elephant, Lucky, zoo director Steve McCusker has stated that he is “very close” to securing another Asian elephant to bring into the zoo's decrepit elephant exhibit.

IDA has reason to believe that this elephant is Queenie, the long suffering elephant who has been at the mercy of the notorious Davenport circus family for over three decades.

IDA has sent a strong letter to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of the USDA's APHIS division letting them know in no uncertain terms that the decision to send Queenie to the San Antonio Zoo would be unacceptable. The zoo's tiny elephant exhibit is not fit for one, let alone two elephants.

Asian elephants have no future in San Antonio. Zoo director McCusker stated publicly in July 2008 that the zoo's long-term plan is to display African elephants. The Asian elephants will likely be dumped elsewhere when construction of a new exhibit begins. Instead of bringing another elephant into its outdated and inhumane exhibit as a companion for Lucky, the zoo should send Lucky to a sanctuary.

The USDA has filed extremely grave charges against Queenie's handler, Will Davenport, which could result in the USDA’s gaining custody of Queenie. The PAWS Sanctuary, which has expertise in caring for geriatric elephants, has sent a letter to the USDA offering to take Queenie and provide her with quality, lifetime care.

Please let the USDA know that any decision to send Queenie to the San Antonio Zoo, or any other zoo with a cramped and unnatural elephant exhibit, will be met with widespread public outrage. After all she's been through, Queenie deserves to live her final years at the spacious, natural habitat PAWS sanctuary.

Thank you for everything you do for animals!