Today, the elephant lovers at the IDA (In Defense of Animals) organization published their annual top ten list of North American zoos with the worst elephant care. While many zoos have chosen to either close or improve their elephant exhibits, these notorious ten continue to keep elephants in cramped, lonely, inadequate spaces without regard for their well known physical and social needs.
Making the IDA's 2010 Worst Zoos for Elephants List:
Read the complete 2010 Worst Zoos for Elephants List for detailed explanations of why these zoos were singled out. There are also links to pictures, videos, and "take action" campaigns you can participate in.
Catherine Doyle, IDA Elephant Campaign Director, summed up the IDA's position on elephants in zoos in her blog post today,
"In a perfect world, all elephants already in captivity would be living in sanctuary-like conditions and zoos would stop breeding and phase out their elephant programs. But until we see that time (and it will happen!), elephants need to be cared for. The truth is that even if all the elephants in the U.S. were suddenly released from their cages, the nation’s two sanctuaries could not accommodate them all. So we need to push hard for changes in zoos and acknowledge those zoos that are trying harder and making changes that improve elephant welfare."
If you'd like to read more about the IDA's elephant conservation efforts, please visit HelpElephants.com
Photo ©2005 Jaya Savannah.
Lualeni was my 2nd foster baby elephant from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. She was found abandoned, a secondary victim of ivory poaching, as it was suspected her mother was killed for her tusks. She had tried to find protection with other elephants, but none would adopt her. Humans intervened and adopted her instead.
Lueleni was emotionally devastated and was slow to heal from her deep grief and depression from being orphaned. In 2005 (about 7 months after I began fostering her at the trust) I got to meet her. In the above photo, she was marching back home with a little elephant smile on her face after playing all day. She was just beginning to recover from her trauma. Keep in mind that although she already looks big in the photo below, she was only a one year old infant. It was such a treat to say good night to her as she was settling into her holding pen with her keeper for the night.
Photo ©2005 Jaya Savannah.
Another year later, Lualeni had really turned a corner in her rehabilitation, thanks to the elephant angels at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It was an absolute thrill to see a video segment that BBC Television had done on her. Take a moment to watch it. It's very inspiring.
If you're reading via email or news feed, click to watch the video.
Lualeni has continued to thrive over the last 5 years. She's been gradually reintroduced to the wild and been bonded with a new herd made up of other rehabilitated orphans. I cannot express enough how much I esteem the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Please take a look at their website and consider fostering your own orphaned baby elephant.
Photo copyright Kunal Kamlesh Shah.
Taken during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India (2009.)
Photographer's note, "The idol is of Lord Ganesh who is followed by a lot of Indian Population. During the 10 day festival, the God is offered prayers, donations and prasadam (sacred food.) After the 10th day, the clay idol is immeresed into the sea. The immerssion procession lasts for about 18 hours, where the lord is pulled by a hand wagon and the journey starts from city centre and ends at the sea side where it gets immersed. The procession has huge orchestras (locally known as Nashik and Pune Dhol) and people dance, sing praises of their favourite lord. This festival is celebrated every August-Sept period. GANPATI BAPA MORIYA. Place: Lalbaugh Suburb, Mumbai City."
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, one of my favorite elephant rescue organizations in Kenya, will have a free photography exhibit at the Royal Geographical Society in London on September 6-10, 2010. Gorgeous elephants photos taken by photographers Joachim Schmeisser, Michael Nichols and Robert Carr-Hartley will be on display. Click here for an online preview of the elephant photos at the Guardian UK newspaper.
I'm passionate about wild elephant conservation. It's something that has overtaken my heart and soul. After a trip to Kenya, where I went to see wild elephants and meet some of my conservationist heroes, I returned to Northern California, asking, "What can I do to help?" So I began writing.
My intention for Sacred Elephants is to raise awareness about elephant conservation by touching your heart, enlightening your mind, and trumpeting a call out to your elephant-loving spirit.
I'm also looking for opportunities to work with other elephant philanthropists for events, travel/tourism, corporate social responsiblity ventures, and media productions. I also accept requests to review elephant books, DVD's, and other products.
Thank you for reading and helping to save our elephant friends!
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