Nonprofit organization In Defense of Animals has just released its 15th annual list of “The 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America.”
Included are zoos infamous for outdated, failing, and cruel practices that hurt and kill elephants.
The Bronx Zoo ranks at the top of this shameful list due to its unfulfilled promise to shut down their exhibit following a recent elephant death, and for keeping two of these highly social animals in solitary confinement.
Coming in at a close second is the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County, Virginia, referred to on the list as a “roadside atrocity.” For over 20 years, they’ve kept an elephant named Asha in solitary confinement. Despite hundreds of citations for Animal Welfare Act violations, the zoo remains in business, and Asha spends her days without the social contact that is imperative to elephants’ health.
The entire list is as follows:
- Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York
- Natural Bridge Zoo, Rockbridge County, Virginia
- Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas
- Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Kentucky
- Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, Rhode Island
- Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, Alabama
- Caldwell Zoo, Tyler, Texas
- Topeka Zoo, Topeka, Kansas
- Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, New York
- Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Additionally, the list contains a “Hall of Shame” and a “Dishonorable Mention” category.
In recent years, public opinion about animals in captivity has shifted toward one of increased concern about the welfare of the animals. Still, zoos continue cruel practices toward elephants, who suffer in their tiny exhibits and die prematurely as a result of their confinement. As the world’s largest land mammal, elephants need far more space than any zoo can reasonably provide in order to remain healthy and happy.
Elephants in captivity are also controlled through fear and pain, such as with the cruel use of bullhooks. These so-called “training mechanisms” are typically employed to force elephants to follow commands, causing the sensitive creatures to suffer senselessly in the names of education and entertainment.
No matter what measures zoos take to make an exhibit appear modern and healthy, captivity is still unsafe for elephants. The availability of elephants for captive purposes is diminishing, and some zoos have gotten rid of their exhibits. However, in their tenacious pursuit for profits, some zoos invest exorbitant funds on the creation and renovation of elephant exhibits.
Only when the public refuses to spend their money to support this cruelty will the cycle of suffering end.
Large animals-whether they are marine or land-should NOT be confined to Zoos, made to “work” in any industry-as in India Thailand in logging trees, or be exploited by force for “entertainment” such as in the circus, roadside zoos and other venues-Animas of ANY species are NOT “merchandise” to be put on display or shipped around in trucks, trains. They are NOT props or clowns! ALL Elephants, Orcas, Dolphins, Tigers, lions, etc should NOT be confined and made to live in unnatural environments and do unnatural things. They ALL should be in Sanctuaries. If they are open to the public-it would be through limited attendance-from a distance with possibility of NOT seeing the animal at all, etc!!!
REAL education taught about their plight in the WILD and how to HELP them IN the WILD-protect REAL Habitat-do MORE to END poaching and support Rangers in Africa, etc. Also Urge China, Russia to STOP the sale of WILD animals-especially ENDANGERED ones!!!!
Does animal Planet now there show is 1st place in worst Zoo
Please find a way to make these animals lives comfortable and safe. In the wild and if they are unable to be returned to the wild in captivity. They are not here for are entertainment they are living breathing creatures.
Please free these beautiful animals!
Please just free these beautiful animals!!
These animals should never be in zoos!! They need to be allowed to roam freely!!
WE THE PEOPLE, want zoos shut down!!!
These poor babies don’t deserve this cruelty.
Close down these cruel zoos !!! ASAP
Close the cruelty zoos now. Somebody kill the bastards who run these zoos now!!!
Zoo’s have no place in modern society. They are not there to protect or educate, they are just another means of torturing animals and using them for entertainment under the thinly veiled disguise of doing a good job for animal conservation/ proctection.
Animals belong in the wild, to live and be free the way nature intended.
DO IT! BOYCOTT THESE ATROCIOUS ELEPHANT PRISONS! HUMANS IN PRISON ENJOY MORE! AND IF THE HUMAN PRISON SYSTEM IS NOW REFORMED DUE TO NEW FEDERAL LEGISLATION, THEN BOYCOTT ZOOS UNTIL THEY, TOO, ENJOY REFORMATION AND STRICT OVERSIGHT! THESE POOR CREATURES NEVER ASKED FOR INCARCERATION BUT DESERVE RESPECT AND FREEDOM IN NATURAL HABITATS DEVOID OF POACHERS…AT THE VERY LEAST, COMPASSIONATE SANCTUARIES!
It really is time to put an end to cruel practises in the Zoo’s mentioned in the list.
America should be ashamed, it’s not a third world country and the animal welfare authorities should be ashamed that they have allowed this to continue. They obviously care little about the animals.
Boycott these states. MONEY TALKS. IT ALWAYS WILL. [email protected]
The Galarneau Family is demanding these issues be immediately addressed. And if the cities cannot accommodate the emotional and health needs. We as a family are devastated. That for money government’s will destroy life that is here to be loved and cherished.
How dreadful.
If only there could come a day in which we could cease to need lists of such superlatives.
I am proud to support The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tennessee. While I know that the elephants thrive there, it gives me pause to think of the suffering that they had to endure that qualified them to end up in the sanctuary. As long as humans continue to be cruel toward animals, there will be a necessity for animal rescue and rehabilitation.
I praise the volunteers that care enough to work tireless toward a better day for animals.
God bless the volunteers and workers who dedicate their lives to the betterment of animals.
I am hopeful things will change with this list being released….. I was especially shocked about the Bronx zoo ,NY. I will be sending letters ….
Shame on these zoos.