Never again will elephants be forced to endure freezing winters trapped indoors in a tiny concrete cell within the Buffalo Zoo. The zoo’s board of directors has unanimously voted to close the elephant exhibit for good and move the two remaining Asian elephants – Jothi and Supara – to New Orleans this fall.
The closure of the woefully inadequate and outdated elephant enclosure is welcomed by animal advocacy organization In Defense of Animals, who have monitored the zoo and the health of the elephants for years.
“We are delighted that Buffalo Zoo will let Jothi and Supara thaw out in a more suitable climate,” said elephant scientist Dr. Toni Frohoff. “In Defense of Animals has actively and arduously worked to free these elephants from their decrepit, unsuitable zoo conditions for over a decade. This is a positive move for Jothi and Supara, but we will continue our work to get them to an accredited elephant sanctuary where they can live as elephants instead of as exhibits. One less miserably freezing zoo exhibit for tropical elephants is a cause for great celebration.”
The Buffalo Zoo has made it onto IDA’s “10 Worst Zoos for Elephants” list five times over the last decade, most recently appearing at number six in the list in 2016.
Asian elephants are found naturally in tropical areas, whereas winter temperatures in Buffalo often drop to -11 degrees Fahrenheit overnight. During the winter months, Jothi and Supara are forced to spend their time inside, unable to exercise and forced to stand on hard concrete floors for extended periods. Foot problems are one of the biggest health concerns for captive elephants; they need varied terrain and exercise to prevent joint pain, abscesses, and other related issues.
Once Supara and Jothi are transferred to Audobon Zoo in New Orleans, there will only be three Asian elephants left in New York, held in the Bronx Zoo. These captive elephants have the same problems with freezing weather, and Bronx Zoo has also been listed on the 10 Worst Zoos list over the years.
The fight is now on to get these elephants released to a suitable sanctuary, so they can live out the rest of their lives in comfort.
“Buffalo Zoo has made a positive move for these animals and brought New York a step closer to being free of elephant abuse,” says Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, president of IDA. “Three other Asian elephants are still suffering in New York’s freezing winter climate at the Bronx Zoo, especially Happy the elephant who is kept in torturous solitary confinement. We call on the Bronx Zoo to have compassion and release the elephants to a sanctuary where they can retire in peace.”

Please please folks, stay on this.
Being in a zoo must be horrible for elephants – any animal.
Being and elephant in Buffalo NY must have been beyond torture .
Wishing many happy years to Supara and Jothi.
And to the Bronx Zoo – if you’re so concerned about Happy’s physical welfare, you should really consider her mental health as well. Elephants are social animals. Solitary existance – for 10 years now – must be torture for “Happy”
Please allow Happy to go to a sanctuary. How would you like to be alone?
Waiting for Happy’s NEXT petition…
I am so glad this zoo has closed. I hope the elephants can enjoy the remainder of their years.
The zoo itself did not close. Merely the board of directors finally had a lightbulb light and decided to move the gentle giants to a much warmer location, and close the elephant exhibit.
Please continue to help,with the release of all elephants held in zoos. Zoos are prisons. They animals have done nothing wrong. All animals should be transferred to sanctuaries.
Elephant sanctuary is good got those abused animals in circuses
Please ensure that ALL elephants in the remaining zoos be released in to a better environment!
About time. The elephants feel cold just like us.
I am proud to know the animals will be happy now.
Thank goodness!
Happy day. Be thankful for small victories.
Thank God
Great work! Hopefully there will be more spacious comfortable quarters and foot care specialists to help mend their poor feet.
Very good news
At last some brilliant news am so glad that they have decided to shut down this zoo hopefully any remaining zoos will follow suit these majestic creatures deserve to live out their lives in a more suitable environment as should all animals that said how about putting all the dumb cruel inhuman freaks in cages and all the dumb imbeciles who think that such things like this are entertaining
Are the curator’s of Bronx zoo just as stupid as those of the Buffalo Zoo were?..you make the “10 worst lists” and instead of doing something about it, you stick your finger in your ears and pretend nothing is happening? At least Buffalo came to their senses and allowed these big folk to live where it’s warmer. And THAT zoo had best find a perfect sanctuary for them AS THEY DON’T BELONG IN CAGES!!
NOW IT’S TIME BRONX ZOO FOLLOWED SUIT!!!!!
Hooray for Jothi and Supara to go to Louisiana, once a sanctuary is found!
Is there a petition to sign to release the Bronx Zoo elephants from their exhibition, please?
Thank you God! Next step peaceful sanctuary for these beautiful elephants. This is beautiful!