For the second day in a row the Washington Post has an
animal friendly story on the front page. The Tuesday, September 21 story
is headed, "Seeking a Home That Fits; Elephants' Case Highlights Limits of
Zoos."
The article looks at the Detroit Zoo's attempts to send
its ailing elephants to sanctuary, as the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association tries to strong-arm the zoo into sending them to another zoo
instead, threatening loss of AZA membership if the Detroit Zoo does not
comply.
Post reporter Marc Kaufman writes,
"Dismayed, the Detroit zoo this week made the first formal appeal ever of
an AZA elephant placement decision. It is now marshaling supporters to try
to convince the association that, when it comes to elephant care, it's
time for change."
We learn:
"The dispute could have major implications for the way zoos operate and
provide for their elephants, and for the future of elephants in many other
zoos. Already, the controversy is being seen as a defining moment in the
broadening national debate over animal welfare and animal rights."
And we read how different life in one of the sanctuaries,
either the 100-acre elephant range in California or the 2,700-acre
facility in Tennessee, would be for the elephants, compared to life in a
concrete zoo. The opportunity to roam is not the only issue:
"In the sanctuaries, the animals are largely allowed to do
as they choose. In addition, keepers and the animals never come into
direct contact, and keepers use only positive enforcement methods to
encourage the animals to behave. In many zoos, elephant keepers still have
direct access to the animals inside their enclosures, a practice that
requires some level of dominance and physical intimidation to train the
animals and protect the keepers.
"One of Kagan's objections to moving Winky and Wanda to
the Columbus zoo is that the facility -- acknowledged to be one of the
nation's best for elephants -- nonetheless uses dominance techniques."
There is a lovely quote from Ron Kagan, director of the
Detroit Zoo:
"We just don't see how threatening or punishing an elephant can be ever
okay."
Kaufman mentions the similar situation in San Francisco,
as that zoo attempts to send its elephants to sanctuary and comes up
against the AZA. There is a nice quote from Wayne Pacelle, president of
the Humane Society of the United States:
"AZA is finding itself not just trying to contain a brushfire, but seeing
the blaze break out all around the country."
That is an encouraging statement!
Kaufman goes further, "In resisting calls to send Wanda
and Winky to a sanctuary, the AZA is also trying to stave off difficult
questions being raised about keeping any elephants in captivity --
questions that could easily mushroom into a broader debate about rhinos or
lions or other big mammals."
You can read the full article on line at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36782-2004Sep20.html or on
the MSNBC website (the shorter link might work better) at:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6058403/
It presents a great opportunity for appreciative letters
to the editor questioning the practice of keeping wild animals captive for
human amusement. The Post takes letters at:
[email protected] and
instructs, "Letters must be exclusive to The Washington Post, and must
include the writer's home address and home and business telephone numbers.
Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we
appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to
send us their comments."
Shorter letters are more likely to be published. But even
unpublished letters serve a vital function -- they let editors know what
kinds of stories (animal protection stories, for example) generate a lot
of interest.
Yours and the animals',
Karen Dawn
(DawnWatch is an animal advocacy media watch that looks at
animal issues in the media and facilitates one-click responses to the
relevant media outlets. You can learn more about it, and sign up for
alerts at http://www.DawnWatch.com. To unsubscribe, go to
www.DawnWatch.com/unsubscribe.php. If you forward or
reprint DawnWatch alerts, please do so unedited -- leave DawnWatch in the
title and include this tag line.)
Go on to LeoBird
Magazine
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