A zoo watchdog group will protest Brookfield Zoo’s elephant exhibit next month after a 40-year-old African Elephant died suddenly leaving some questioning the cause.
In Defense of Animals, a group dedicated to end animal exploitation, cruelty and abuse of animals, has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The group will be protesting the zoo’s elephant exhibit June 20 because they believe Affie suffered from foot disease and/or arthritis caused by inadequate zoo conditions. These conditions include lack of space for movement and hard, unyielding surfaces that damages the feet of elephants, according to IDA spokesperson Catherine Doyle.
“Certainly we are calling to close down the zoo’s exhibit,” Doyle said. “They don’t have the space for elephants. They can’t meet the physical, social needs and weather is a major issue. It forces them indoors in the tiny cages where they stand on hard surfaces.”
Kim Smith, vice president of animal care at Brookfield Zoo, said staff is very committed to elephants and elephant care.
“When these campaigns come in and make these claims, to claim we don’t care, is insulting,” Smith said. “(Keepers) have dedicated their lives to these animals.”
A concern the IDA has is that Christy, the last remaining elephant in Chicago, does not have a companion right now and social behavior is very important to elephants, Doyle said.
“Because of our concern with Affie’s death and Christy is the sole remaining elephant, it drew our attention,” Doyle said.
Zoo spokeswoman Sondra Katzen said after Affie’s death, zoo officials were aware the IDA would draw attention and call for an investigation. Zoo officials had already contacted the USDA, which is standard procedure, Katzen added.
Brookfield Zoo is well aware elephants are social animals and an hour after Affie’s death, Smith was on the phone with the Species Survival Plan program trying to initiate the process going to obtain another elephant in the zoo, Katzen said.
The IDA believes instead of staying in the zoo, Christy should go to an elephant sanctuary. There are two sanctuaries in the United States, one is located in Tennessee and the other in California.
There is a difference of opinion on how each group feels animals should be cared for. The Brookfield Zoo is an accredited facility, whereas the sanctuaries are not — and the zoo will not send animals to a non-accredited facility, especially an elephant, Smith said.
“Christy is not going anywhere,” Smith said. “We don’t intend to do that, but we respect what they do. They care. So do we.”
La Grange resident and protest leader Chris Grushas believes elephants should not be in zoos because they are exposed to conditions they would not be in the wild. She agrees with the IDA saying Christy should be relocated to an elephant sanctuary because they have room to roam with other elephants and would be more in a “wild” environment.
“What would be the big deal if people couldn’t see an elephant?” Grushas said. “Why do they have to pay the price for our entertainment?”
Grushas is leading the protest because she feels it is worthwhile to expose the issue and get people to think about the “right thing to do.” She has protested elephants in the circus and now will challenge the zoo’s ability to keep them.
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International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos WHEN 11 a.m. June 20 WHERE Brookfield Zoo north entrance, 31st Street and Golf Road CONTACT Chris Grushas at (708) 309-0657 or radtec78@att.net |
“A lot of people think zoos are great, and I don’t think they are doing anything that is worthwhile but making money for themselves,” Grushas said. “I don’t think there is any reason for any animal (to be in the zoo), I don’t need to see them that badly to put them through this.”
Currently, zoo officials do not know the cause of Affie’s death May 15 but are certain there were no problems with her feet, Smith said. Autopsy results should be determined in the next couple weeks, Katzen said.
USDA officials will come out at their own discretion and review the zoo’s records. If there were any violations, the zoo could be cited under the Animal Welfare Act. Brookfield Zoo welcomes the USDA’s input, Smith said.
The elephant exhibit in now open, and Christy is free to go on and off exhibit as she sees fit, Katzen said. Inside is still closed since officials want Christy to have a safe-haven if she wants to get away from view.
