WFLF New Hope United: Zoo

Cincrete Evidence

2009-05-07T00:20:00.001-07:00

“Concrete Evidence” brings exposure to the hidden cruelties and business practices behind zoo walls. An expert guest panel will spotlight the serious risk/health factors involved for elephants confined to zoos and circuses. Updates regarding the ongoing law suit against the City of Los Angeles will be discussed along with a focused look at the Billy, their lone remaining elephant who is showing symptoms of severe psychological distress as well as beginning stages of physical deterioration.

With Featured Guests: Mariana Tosca, David Casselman, Catherine Dolye, Sheryl Greene & Adam Roberts

Hosted by Katia Louise with DivaVega live in the chat room as the Coordinator for Simulcast Discussions.

Music from "When Elephants Cry" by Mayuka Thais

Go to Show and Resource Page

Premiere: Sunday, May 10th 4PM PST/ 7PM EST Go!

Call- In Number: (646) 915-8267

Get a Banner for this Cause! GO!

Go to Media Alert!

My Elephant, An Artists Journey

2009-02-13T15:29:00.000-08:00

Join us as we trace Mayuka’s journey as an artist and learn the details of how she redirected her original intentions from that as an artist observing wildlife to that of an advocate for life itself.

Katia Louise hosts with an inspiring look at activism. Featuring popular artist, singer/ song writer, Mayuka Thais in a discovery of how her connection with elephants first began and why elephants became a “symbol” of life for her.

Guest Melya Kaplan of Voice For The Animals Foundation, makes a special appearance with an update as to the recent outcome regarding Billy at the LA Zoo.

Diva Vega is live in the chat room as the Coordinator for Simulcast Discussions.

Airs Live: Sun 2/15/09

Go to Show & Resource Page

LA City Council Ignores New Development in the Decline of Billy's Health and Votes to Go Forward with the $42 Million Exhibit

2009-01-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

New evidence was presented indicating that Billy's health has declined over the last month or so. Expert testimony confirmed the seriousness of Billy's condition and stated concern that it will get worse due to the conditions at the zoo. The zoo's chief veterinarian testified that Billy is only examined twice a month and he was therefore unaware of the new development. Based on the the zoo veterinarian's testimony, council quickly dismissed the evidence.

After hearing public comment followed by further testimony of zoo officials and supporters, City Council voted to continue the Pachyderm Forest Project based on the purported grounds that abandoning it would cost the city more than it would to go forward with it. The city's finance department estimated that to make modifications to the existing plans in order to care for animals other than elephants, it would still cost in excess of $31 million; however no evidence or detail was ever presented to substantiate the same.

The majority of council members seemed to quickly forget about key evidence recently uncovered regarding the zoo's history, namely their proven inability to care for elephants as documented by the death of at least 14 elephants under their care.

WFLF, WFL Endangered Stream Live
Katia Louise

Billy's Fate to be Announced Tomorrow

2009-01-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

1/27/09
Zoo supporters came out by buss full dressed in green zoo t-shirts to support a special meeting called by councilman Labonge. Labonge, the chair in support of the zoo had a panel of experts testify for about 1 1/2 hours to the detriment of Billy's best interest and freedom. Public comment followed and the meeting adjourned. Tomorrow is the final decision when the full council will be present.

GLAZA, the Zoo's supporting foundation has offered to help fund the part of $42 mill exhibit. Several unions were there crying economy problems arguing the importance to build the exhibit. Labonge tried to offset arguments he anticipates hearing tomorrow in effort circumvent them before they are presented. Labonge argued it would be too expensive to transport Billy to sanctuary and exaggerated the cost at over $2 mil. Among other claims, Labonge attempted to tally expenses allegedly expected for the care of other animals in the exhibit should they lose Billy, as additional expenses they would otherwise not be faced with; when in reality the animals he listed were all animals the zoo already cares for. This is just one example of Labonge's strategy and approach. Cardenes did a good job poking holes in the Labonge' expert statements, for example the actual cost for transporting billy is estimated at $1.3 mill and then announced that Bob barker was made a commitment to donate $1.5 mill to get Billy to sanctuary.

It was also made evident that the zoo plans to try and breed elephants in their new exhibit and that they would lose that opportunity if Billy went to sanctuary. They came out and stated that Billy is valuable to them for breeding purposes. They further argued that keeping elephants in zoos is the answer to conservation and education, regardless of how they might suffer there. They made one thing quite clear; the zoo's agenda should be the first priority. It's hard to predict what the council will do tomorrow.

Compassion for Billy on "Endangered Stream Live"

2009-01-20T01:16:00.000-08:00

Endangered Stream Live
Pilot Episode

Compassion for Billy - Insights
With Host, Katia Louise and Guest Mayuka Thais

Tune in with Host Katia Louise and guest artist, singer/song writer Mayuka Thais for a reality check in the controversial matter of what's best for Billy, the LA Zoo's last surviving elephant. Hear the facts surrounding his plight and learn what you can do to help through this inspirational and enlightening look at "my elephant", Billy..

Mayuka is a freedom fighter for elephants , perhaps because part of her name means 'freedom' and her very first friend as a baby while she was in the incubator was an elephant doll.

This video by Mayuka is for Billy at a Zoo and the rest of the elephants held captive in Zoo's, circuses and for those who are hunted and killed in nature. “We need to co-exist”, says Mayuka.

Background Information:
Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years, but evidence indicates that at least fourteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo with more than half never living to age of 20. The overriding problem and the leading cause of death to these 14 elephants has been due to chronic foot sores, abscesses, arthritis, and joint disease from being confined in an enclosure that is too small for these massive land mammals.

Billy came to the LA zoo from Asia at age 4 and at age 24, Billy is already showing symptoms of mental and physical injury from his confinement in his small enclosure.

L.A. City Council member Tony Cardenas has presented a motion to stop the L.A. Zoo's $42 million elephant exhibit renovation. Despite its mammoth price tag and expense to taxpayers, experts state that it still will not provide the space elephants need. If the council votes to close the elephant exhibit, Billy will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants so desperately need.

Resources:
In Defense of Animals
Voice for Animals

WFL Endangered Stream Live on Blog Talk Radio
Compassion For Billy - Insights
EndangeredStreamLive

LA City Council Meeting Update Re Billy

2009-01-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

LA City Council Meeting Update

Tuesday, January 27th, 3pm and

Wednesday, January 28th, 10am

L.A. City Council meeting and final vote on shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit

L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340
This week's L.A. City Council meetings regarding the L.A. Zoo and Billy have been postponed to take place on Jan Please continue to write and call the city council. The information is below. Please also continue to vote in the L.A. Times poll.

City Council member Tony Cardenas has presented a motion to stop the L.A. Zoo's $42 million elephant exhibit renovation. Despite its mammoth price tag and expense to taxpayers, it still will not provide the space elephants need, and elephants will continue to suffer and die painfully and prematurely at the zoo.

Fifteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.

Billy is held in solitary confinement, where he spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny zoo pen. A win means he will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants so desperately need.

WRITE/CALL THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS!

We need to tell City Council that taxpayers don't want their money wasted on an elephant exhibit that still doesn't give elephants the space they need. Please send emails and make phone calls to express your support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

If you don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your councilmember on-line, visit http://www.lacity.org/ and scroll down to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

You can use the following message points:
… The $42 million L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit is a waste of taxpayer money and won't provide the space elephants need.
… Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at the L.A. Zoo. A recent study in the journal Science has proven that life in zoos is cutting short elephants' lives.
… Billy has spent years in solitary confinement in a tiny zoo pen, where he constantly bobs his head up and down, a sign of psychological distress.
… The City of Los Angeles has made great strides toward becoming more humane. Now it's time to include elephants by closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary as soon as possible.

CONTACTS:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

EMAIL BLOCK (does not include Councilmember Alarcon; use contact form for him as indicated below):
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

; councilmember.greuel@lacity.org; councilmember.zine@lacity.org; councilmember.labonge@lacity.org; councilmember.weiss@lacity.org; councilmember.parks@lacity.org; councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org; jan.perry@lacity.org; councilmember.wesson@lacity.org; councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org; councilmember.smith@lacity.org; councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org; councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; councilmember.hahn@lacity.org; mayor@lacity.org

District 1 - Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 3 - Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003 Fax: 213-
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

District 4 - Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

District 5 - Jack Weiss
Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

District 6 - Tony Cardenas - ORIGINATOR OF THE MOTION
Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

District 7 - Richard Alarcon
Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 9 - Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

District 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 13 - Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

District 15 - Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Thanks to IDA for this update!

(Read more)

Meetings Postponed

2009-01-12T18:52:00.000-08:00

Please note that this week's City Council meeting regarding Billy's future has been postponed to take place on Jan 27th and 28th. (Read more)

Send Solitary Elephant Billy To A Sanctuary

2009-01-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Billy the Elephant in LA Zoo

Please help to close down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and send its lone elephant, Billy, to a sanctuary. We are so very close to freeing him from his lonely existence in a miserable, barren zoo pen -- please don't let him down!

There are two very important meetings next week:

WHAT: Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee meeting

WHEN: Wednesday, January 14th, 2pm

WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A. 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

*Please note that the time and room could change for this meeting. To confirm, please visit http://www.lacity.org/ and check the "Council Calendar" which can be found on the right side of the web page under "L.A. City Council."

WHAT: FINAL L.A. City Council meeting and vote on shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit

WHEN: Friday, January 16th, 10am

WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

SPEAK OUT: The public should be able to speak during public comment at the Arts, Parks, Health & Aging Committee meeting. However, we are not sure if people will be allowed to present public comment at the final City Council meeting. Please be prepared to speak for 1 minute during public comment on the motion. Keep your comments concise, positive, and focused on your support for closing down the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary. Arrive early enough to complete a public comment card.

City Council member Tony Cardenas has presented a motion to stop the L.A. Zoo's $42 million elephant exhibit renovation. Despite its mammoth price tag and expense to taxpayers, it still will not provide the space elephants need, and elephants will continue to suffer and die painfully and prematurely at the zoo.
It is critical that as many advocates as possible attend these meetings to show clear and strong support for closing the exhibit and ending Billy's years of isolation and deprivation.

Zoo supporters will be out in large numbers. Let's be sure that our voices outnumber theirs!

Fifteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.

Billy is held in solitary confinement, where he spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny zoo pen. A win next week means he will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants so desperately need.

This is our only chance to stop the suffering once and for all! Help free Billy!

OTHER ACTIONS:

1. ATTEND DEMO AND OUTREACH AT L.A. ZOO THIS WEEKEND
Please come out and help educate the public about why the elephant exhibit must be shut down.

WHEN: Saturday, January 10th at 11am
WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A. (in Griffith Park)
MEET: In front of main entrance; parking is free
WHAT: Signs and flyers will be provided

2. WRITE/CALL THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS!
We need to tell City Council that taxpayers don't want their money wasted on an elephant exhibit that still doesn't give elephants the space they need. Please send emails and make phone calls to express your support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

If you don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your councilmember on-line, visit http://www.lacity.org/ and scroll down to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

You can use the following message points:
… The $42 million L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit is a waste of taxpayer money and won't provide the space elephants need.
… Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at the L.A. Zoo. A recent study in the journal Science has proven that life in zoos is cutting short elephants' lives.
… Billy has spent years in solitary confinement in a tiny zoo pen, where he constantly bobs his head up and down, a sign of psychological distress.
… The City of Los Angeles has made great strides toward becoming more humane. Now it's time to include elephants by closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary as soon as possible.

CONTACTS:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

EMAIL BLOCK (does not include Councilmember Alarcon; use contact form for him as indicated below):
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org; councilmember.greuel@lacity.org; councilmember.zine@lacity.org; councilmember.labonge@lacity.org; councilmember.weiss@lacity.org; councilmember.parks@lacity.org; councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org; jan.perry@lacity.org; councilmember.wesson@lacity.org; councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org; councilmember.smith@lacity.org; councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org; councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; councilmember.hahn@lacity.org; mayor@lacity.org

District 1 - Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 3 - Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003 Fax: 213-
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

District 4 - Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

District 5 - Jack Weiss
Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

District 6 - Tony Cardenas - ORIGINATOR OF THE MOTION
Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

District 7 - Richard Alarcon
Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 9 - Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

District 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 13 - Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

District 15 - Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Update credit: IDA

Show Your Support for Billy to go to Sanctuary!

2009-01-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Zoo supporters want to see the elephant exhibit stay at the LA Zoo but animal protection advocates want what's best for the elephants, and have them go to sanctuary. This topic is now available to vote on at the LA Times. Please show your support for Billy to go to sanctuary. Vote now!

New Years with the Elephants!

2008-12-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve with the Elephants Join us together at the Elephant Sanctuary tonight for a special evening with the elephants!

Click here for the New Year's Eve with the Elephants virtual party page.
Party starts at 4 p.m. Central. Slide shows and videos will be released at
the designated times..

Happy New Year!

N E W S A L E R T !
The Sanctuary and Tarra and Bella will be featured on CBS Evening News with Katie Couric this Friday, January 2nd, in the special section called "Assignment America!" Be sure to check your local listings.

http://www.elephants.com/celebrate_2008.htm

L.A. Zoo Commission Meeting Tuesday, Dec 16th

2008-12-10T12:48:00.000-08:00

The commissioners to review reconsideration of their position on construction of the Pachyderm Forest on Dec 16th at the LA Zoo.

The zoo commissioners were an important factor in the decision to move Ruby from the L.A. Zoo to PAWS in 2007 and they can make the same positive decision again. If you are in the area please attend and ask them to support halting the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

L.A. Zoo Commission Meeting
Tuesday, December 16th
10AM (arrive early!)
L.A. Zoo - Grand Room

Billy has been waiting 24 years to be saved. Please join us.

Credit resource: IDA

Money over Compassion?

2008-12-03T14:47:00.000-08:00

What does the LA City Council really want to teach school district children about caring for animals?

Today's city council meeting on the issue of Billy came as a letdown to animal advocates seeking relief for a very distressed elephant. The agenda item which had been planned for today; the vote on the Cardenas motion was derailed by a last minute announcement that the Zoo has been offered funds to complete their $40 million make shift exhibit without burdening tax payers.

It was standing room only inside Council Chambers; the room filled with an equal representation of advocates for Billy on one side and zoo supporters on the other. Members of the public were never given the opportunity to speak on the issue; rather just after expert testimony by both sides, it was moved that the motion go back to Arts & Parks for further review.

Advocates for the prevention of cruelty to animals were stunned by today’s course of action taken by Council. The seemingly compassionate concern that Council expressed just less than two weeks ago in the best interest of Billy was no longer the popular point of view. Now the focus seems to be all about the money; never mind evidence of numerous elephant deaths and ongoing animal cruelty. The vote on the Cardenas motion has now been continued to late January, 2009.

These questions remain... Will Council have the courage to do the right thing and send Billy to sanctuary? Or will Council back down to big money/ special interest groups and allow Billy’s fate to become another statistic? One thing for sure; todays vote sends a clear message to the children that it's important to ponder the value of money over the difference of right and wrong.

Please remember Billy over the next several weeks and send in your thoughts of support for his freedom. Billy, now 24 years old is nearing his life expectancy if kept at the Zoo; whereas if freed he could celebrate another 50 years. Click here for contact information and make your voice heard.

Update on Billy: We're Getting Closer!

2008-12-02T09:33:00.000-08:00

On Monday December 1, the Budget & Finance Committee voted in favor of halting the renovation of the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit. This is an important step toward our goal of shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and freeing Billy from his miserable, barren pen.

Please attend this final city council meeting on Wednesday to show public support for ending Billy's decades of intense and unnatural confinement at the zoo. We need to encourage city officials to do the right thing!

Considering the City of L.A.'s dire economic straits, we just cannot afford to build a $42 million elephant exhibit, paid for with taxpayer money, that still will be too small for elephants. Help stop this ill-advised exhibit where elephants will only continue to suffer and die prematurely.

Too many elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.

Billy spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny zoo pen. A win means he will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space, natural conditions and companionship that all elephants so desperately need.

Help free Billy and keep future elephants from suffering at L.A. Zoo! Don't stop your efforts now!

L.A. Zoo Elephant Vote: Final City Council Vote Will Be Wednesday, Dec. 3rd.

Final vote by L.A. City Council
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10am
L.A. City Hall
200 N. Spring Street
L.A., 90012
John Ferraro Council Chamber
Room 340

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE

1. Attend the final city council meeting on Wednesday.
2. Speak at the meeting during public comment.
3. Call and write the mayor and all of city council on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Please keep your communications concise and polite. Get five friends (or more) to send emails and make phone calls to express their support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

If you (or your friends) don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your council member on-line, visit www.lacity.org and scroll to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

Talking Points:

* The City of L.A. just cannot afford to waste $42 million in taxpayer money on an elephant exhibit that still won't provide the space elephants need to truly thrive.
* Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at the L.A. Zoo, many due to painful health problems caused by inadequate conditions including pens that are far too small. These problems will continue in the renovated exhibit because it still will be too small for elephants.
* The city council is in the unique position to help Billy, an elephant who has spent years in solitary confinement in a tiny zoo pen where he constantly bobs his head up and down, an abnormal behavior not seen in the wild.
* The City of Los Angeles has made great strides toward becoming more humane. Now it's time to include elephants by closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary as soon as possible.

CONTACTS:

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

EMAIL BLOCK (does not include Council member Alarcon; use contact form for him as indicated below):
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org; councilmember.greuel@lacity.org; councilmember.zine@lacity.org; councilmember.labonge@lacity.org; councilmember.weiss@lacity.org; councilmember.parks@lacity.org; councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org; jan.perry@lacity.org; councilmember.wesson@lacity.org; councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org; councilmember.smith@lacity.org; councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org; councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; councilmember.hahn@lacity.org; mayor@lacity.org

District 1 - Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 3 - Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003 Fax: 213-
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

District 4 - Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

District 5 - Jack Weiss
Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

District 6 - Tony Cardenas - ORIGINATOR OF THE MOTION
Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

District 7 - Richard Alarcon
Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 9 - Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

District 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 13 - Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

District 15 - Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Thank you for taking action to help rescue Billy and shut down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

Please visit IDA to learn more about elephants in zoos, a nationwide problem.

Resource: IDA

Update on Status of Billy's Future: Nov 26th

2008-11-26T15:55:00.000-08:00

From IDA:

Please Attend Final Two Critical Meetings Next Week To Shut Down The L.A. Zoo Elephant Exhibit And Send Billy To A Sanctuary

We are so very, very close to shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and freeing Billy from his miserable, barren pen, but we need your help! Please attend two crucial meetings next week to show public support for ending Billy's decades of intense and unnatural confinement at the zoo. We need to encourage city officials to do the right thing!

On Monday, December 1st, the L.A. City Council's Budget & Finance Committee will hear the motion (#08-2850) presented by Councilmember Tony Cardenas to close the elephant exhibit and send Billy to a sanctuary. Then on Tuesday or Wednesday (we'll let you know as soon as we have confirmation) the full city council will again hear the motion and make its final vote.

The L.A. Zoo is planning to bus their supporters to both meetings. At previous meetings, we've equaled or outnumbered them. We can't stop now! Come to both meetings and send the message that there is clear and strong support for closing the exhibit and ending Billy's years of isolation and deprivation. (If you can only attend one, please attend the full council meeting.)

We need everyone's support at these important meetings!

WHAT: Budget & Finance Committee meeting
WHEN: Monday, December 1 at 1pm
WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

SIGN UP: Please arrive early and sign up to speak during the public comment period on this important issue. Be sure to mark on your public speaker card that you are "for proposal." Your comments should be focused on fiscal as well as humane issues, especially as the City of L.A. is facing an enormous budget deficit and plans to make major cutbacks in city services.

WHAT: Final vote by L.A. City Council
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 10am -or- Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 10am (awaiting confirmation)
WHERE: L.A. City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340

SIGN UP: Same as above. Keep your comments positive, emphasizing the good that the city council can do for elephants by voting to approve the Cardenas motion.

Considering the City of L.A.'s dire economic straits, we cannot afford to build a $42 million elephant exhibit, paid for with taxpayer money, that still will be too small for elephants. So please come to these important meetings and express your support for stopping this ill-advised exhibit where elephants will continue to suffer and die prematurely.

Thirteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo since 1975. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.
Billy is held in solitary confinement, where he spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny zoo pen. A win means he will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space, natural conditions and companionship that all elephants so desperately need.

Help free Billy and keep future elephants from suffering at L.A. Zoo! Don't stop your efforts now!

FOUR IMPORTANT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

1. Attend next week's committee meeting and final city council meeting!

2. Speak at the meetings during public comment.

3. Call and write the members of the Budget & Finance Committee before Monday.
Even if you've written the five council members who make up this committee before, please write again using the new message points below.

Please keep your communications concise and polite. Negativity will not get us the votes we need! Remember, we are trying to influence city officials to support our position, and we accomplish this by making sound arguments. Please don't give anyone an excuse to vote against this important motion!

Use the following talking points which are geared toward the budget issues:

The Budget & Finance committee has the unique opportunity to take positive action on this important fiscal and humane issue.
Do the right thing for taxpayers and for the elephants by voting to stop construction of the elephant exhibit at L.A. Zoo.
It's wrong to waste $42 million in taxpayer money on an elephant exhibit that still won't provide the space elephants need to thrive.
Taxpayers and the City of L.A. just cannot afford the increased cost of care for a large number of elephants. Elephants are the most costly animals to keep in a zoo.
Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at L.A. Zoo from painful health problems caused by inadequate zoo conditions. Treating these problems has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years -- and the health problems won't stop in a renovated exhibit that is still too small for elephants.

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

4. Call and write the mayor and all of city council before Tuesday.
Please keep your communications concise and polite. Get five friends (or more) to send emails and make phone calls to express their support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit.

If you (or your friends) don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your councilmember on-line, visit www.lacity.org <http://www.lacity.org/> and scroll down to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

Talking Points:

The City of L.A. just cannot afford to waste $42 million in taxpayer money on an elephant exhibit that still won't provide the space elephants need to truly thrive.
Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at the L.A. Zoo, many due to painful health problems caused by inadequate conditions including pens that are far too small. These problems will continue in the renovated exhibit because it still will be too small for elephants.
The city council is in the unique position to help Billy, an elephant who has spent years in solitary confinement in a tiny zoo pen where he constantly bobs his head up and down, an abnormal behavior not seen in the wild.
The City of Los Angeles has made great strides toward becoming more humane. Now it's time to include elephants by closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary as soon as possible.

CONTACTS:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

EMAIL BLOCK (does not include Councilmember Alarcon; use contact form for him as indicated below):
councilmember.reyes@lacity.org; councilmember.greuel@lacity.org; councilmember.zine@lacity.org; councilmember.labonge@lacity.org; councilmember.weiss@lacity.org; councilmember.parks@lacity.org; councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org; jan.perry@lacity.org; councilmember.wesson@lacity.org; councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org; councilmember.smith@lacity.org; councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org; councilmember.huizar@lacity.org; councilmember.hahn@lacity.org; mayor@lacity.org

District 1 - Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

District 2 - Wendy Greuel
Phone: 213-473-7002 Fax: 213-680-7895
Email: councilmember.greuel@lacity.org

District 3 - Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003 Fax: 213-
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

District 4 - Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

District 5 - Jack Weiss
Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: councilmember.weiss@lacity.org

District 6 - Tony Cardenas - ORIGINATOR OF THE MOTION
Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

District 7 - Richard Alarcon
Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm <http://www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm> )

District 8 - Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

District 9 - Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

District 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

District 11 - Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

District 12 - Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

District 13 - Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

District 14 - Jose Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

District 15 - Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Thank you for taking action to help rescue Billy and shut down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit! Please email zoos@idausa.org with any questions or call 323-301-5730.

Compassion, Will it be the New Modo for LA?

2008-11-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

WFLF Activist News Network, Nov 19, 2008

The LA City council met today on the matter of Billy, the last surviving Elephant at the LA Zoo. Council chambers were packed with passionate Elephant supporters from both sides of the issue of whether or not to send Billy to sanctuary. It was clear that most of the speakers in spite of their support or opposition for the proposal to send Billy to sanctuary were putting the Elephant's best interest first or so - many of them claimed.

Council stated they had not seen this much interest at a meeting in quite some time and a new record was set for the number of community members who turned in official Speaker Cards. Bob Barker was called first to speak on behalf of those in support of a sanctuary and he managed to lighten the serious tone in the room with his quick witted comments. A total of 30 minutes was allowed per side for speakers to share their views and the facts as they saw them.

"I was fortunate enough to speak on Billy's behalf and that was simply a fluke of luck." Said Katia Louise, WFLF. "As it turns out, my name was called out in the middle of the Zoo supporters speeches. Thankfully they allowed me the full minute which was a nice little burst of support for Billy's best interest right in the middle of the opposition's plea for their own agenda." Many of the zoo supporters were arguing that the children could not learn about elephants unless they were kept at the zoo, regardless of the conditions.

Experts were called by Councilman Tony Cardenas in support of Billy going to sanctuary and then experts were called by Councilman Labonge in support of building a new exhibit and keeping Billy at the LA Zoo. Four hours into the meeting, as indicated by Council Members' questions and comments, there was an obvious change in their overall view point regarding the new exhibit. One of the main points brought up in todays hearing were facts that had been omitted previously when the new exhibit had been initially approved.

Members learned for the first time that 15 elephants have died prematurely at the LA Zoo, and that common practice for the Zoo to use bullhooks and electric shock to make the elephants do what they want. Billy's present state of health and welfare became a main focus for the hearing which is in my opinion a success and major break through. Opposing arguments urged that Elephants should remain in Zoo's under these conditions for educational purposes, to support the zoo's financial agenda and because most people cannot fly to Africa to see them in the wild.

It was refreshing to see that most members of the council today were compassionate and of the mind that this Elephant's best interest should be a top priority.

The meeting ended with a vote by members that this issue go back to consideration by Budget and Finance for further review, followed by yet another hearing on this matter to be held the first week of December.

WFLF ANN

Related news: Congressmen Kucinich Asks LA City Council to Close Pachyderm Enclosure
Blue

New LA City Meeting for Billy, Nov 19th

2008-11-14T11:03:00.000-08:00

Help Close L.A. Zoo Elephant Exhibit And Send Lone Elephant Billy To A Sanctuary!

Please attend critical (and final) L.A. City Council meeting Wednesday November 19, 10 A.M.

Call in, Send Emails!

We urgently need your help to close down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and send its solitary elephant, Billy, to a sanctuary. We are so very close to freeing him from his lonely existence in a miserable, barren zoo pen - please don't let him down! Attend this last City Council meeting that will decide Billy's fate.
..

WHAT: L.A. City Council meeting and final vote on shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit
WHEN: Wednesday, November 19th, 10am
WHERE: City Hall, 200 N. Spring Street, L.A., 90012, John Ferraro Council Chamber, Room 340
SPEAK OUT: Be prepared to speak for 1 minute during public comment on the motion. Keep your comments concise, polite and focused on your support for closing down the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary. Arrive early enough to complete a public comment card.
..

At last week's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee meeting, representatives from the L.A. Zoo, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the San Diego Zoo tried to stymie Councilmember Cardenas' efforts, but the motion now goes before the full City Council.
..

It is critical that as many advocates as possible attend this meeting to show clear and strong support for closing the exhibit and ending Billy's years of isolation and deprivation.
..

Zoo supporters will be out in large numbers. Let's be sure that our voices outnumber theirs. (At the committee meeting, elephant advocates far outnumbered zoo supporters when speaking during public comment. We need to repeat that strong performance!)
Thirteen elephants have died at the L.A. Zoo since 1975. More than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years.
..

Billy is held in solitary confinement, where he spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in a tiny zoo pen. A win next Wednesday means he will be able to start a new life in a natural-habitat sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants so desperately need.
..

This is our only chance to stop the suffering once and for all! Help free Billy!
OTHER ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:
ATTEND DEMO AND OUTREACH AT L.A. ZOO THIS WEEKEND
..

If you missed last Saturday's demo at the zoo, please come out and help educate the public about why the elephant exhibit must be shut down.
..

WHEN: Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 11am
WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A. (in Griffith Park)
MEET: In front of main entrance; parking is free
Signs and flyers will be provided

Credit: IDA

Protest Sat. Nov 15th, Spread the Word for Billy!

2008-11-14T10:44:00.000-08:00

Free Billy from the L.A. Zoo Set the last, lonely elephant free!

Elephants are the earth's largest mammals, highly intelligent and social. Billy is the only elephant on exhibit at the L.A. Zoo, where he can be seen repetitively bobbing his head up and down for hours on end in his disturbingly small enclosure. This behavior is not seen in free-ranging elephants and is the tragic result of Billy's impoverished life and solitary confinement. Come out to the L.A. Zoo demonstration and help get more public support for permanently shutting down the elephant exhibit and moving Billy to an elephant sanctuary!

Where & When

Los Angeles Zoo Main Entrance5333 Zoo DriveLos Angeles, CA 90027(Parking is Free!)

Saturday, November 15th, 200811:00 a.m.

Results from Meeting regarding Billy at LA Zoo

2008-11-10T16:41:00.001-08:00

You can follow this link to get details from the meeting online

http://lacity.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=5ea75ac84cdfd76df2b12fcd1621f396.htm

Basically the commity recommended the motion be received and filed which means they do not support Billy being sent to a sanctuary. The issue will now be reviewed by city council members.

Councilman Tom Labonge at 213.485.3337 is the chair on this so he's the one to contact to make your voices heard.

This is a link for the audio from this meeting

http://lacity.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=103&clip_id=4495

There was a solid showing of support for Billy to be moved to sanctuary but more work must be done for that to happen. Billy must be moved in order to survive.

LA Zoo: Elephants

2008-11-05T11:20:00.000-08:00

Remember That Today Is The Call-in Day!

Today, Wednesday, Nov. 5th is the special call-in day to L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the city council!We need to send the message that the zoo's $40 million elephant exhibit renovation being paid for with taxpayer money still won't provide the space that elephants need and the project should be stopped. Billy, who spends his days repetitively bobbing his head up and down in his tiny zoo pen, must be sent to a sanctuary where he'll have the space and natural conditions that all elephants need.

The L.A. Zoo has a long history of elephant suffering and deaths. Of the 13 elephants who died at the zoo since 1975, more than half never lived to age 20. Elephants have a natural lifespan of 60-70 years. Right now, zoo supporters are mobilizing and making their voices heard. We must outnumber their calls TODAY if we are to end the suffering.

Please call the mayor and L.A. City Council members on Wednesday. Contact information is below. Keep your message simple:I support stopping the $40 million L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit, which is a waste of taxpayer money and won't provide the space elephants need.Billy, the zoo's lone elephant, should be sent to a sanctuary, where he'll have the space and natural conditions he needs.Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at the L.A. Zoo, many due to painful health problems caused by inadequate conditions including pens that are far too small.The City of Los Angeles has made great strides toward becoming more humane. Now it's time to include elephants by closing the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

To locate your councilmember on-line, visit http://www.lacity.org/ and scroll down to "My Neighborhood" and enter your address. You can also dial 311 within the City of Los Angeles, or call 213-473-3231 from the Greater Los Angeles area.

If you don't live in the City of L.A., please contact the mayor and L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti (contact info provided below) and express your support for closing the elephant exhibit and sending Billy to a sanctuary.

CONTACTS:Mayor Antonio VillaraigosaLos Angeles City Hall200 N. Spring St.Los Angeles, CA 90012

Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750

Email: mayor@lacity.org

Resource Credit: IDA

Learn more!

Elephant Abuse

2008-10-29T12:45:00.000-07:00

Lawsuit Alleges Elephant Abuse

Original Article

BradentonHerald.Com
October 21, 2008
By NATALIE NEYSA ALUND

Benjamin, a 4-year-old Asian Ringling Bros. elephant, was swimming in a pond in 1999 when his trainer instructed him to get out of the water.

When he disobeyed, the trainer came at him with a bull hook — a club with a sharp metal point at the end — and the young elephant had a heart attack and died.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture investigator determined the use of the bull hook “precipitated in the physical harm and ultimate death” of Benjamin, said Tracy Silverman, general counsel for the Animal Welfare Institute. The institute is one of four nonprofit national animal rights groups that in 2000 sued Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus , whose former winter quarters were in Sarasota.

The suit, also filed by The Fund for Animals, of Maryland; the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, of Washington; The Animal Protection Institute of Sacramento; and Tom Rider, a former Ringling Bros. employee, claims the defendants inhumanely and illegally mistreat their Asian elephants and have done so for decades.

On Monday, Federal Court Judge Emmet Sullivan will begin hearing testimony in the case. The anticipated three-week, non-jury trial takes place in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.

According to the complaint, the defendants routinely beat elephants, violating the 1973 Endangered Species Act by hitting them with bull hooks. It also contends they forcibly remove baby elephants from their mothers with ropes and chains before they are weaned.

“Most people don’t realize an elephant’s skin is very sensitive, especially behind the ears where trainers are usually striking them,” Silverman said. “The elephants will bleed and we have evidence.”

“These unlawful actions are done on a routine basis, throughout the country, for the purpose of making the elephants perform in the circus and otherwise commercially exploiting these magnificent animals,” according to the suit, filed by the D.C. firm of Myer, Glitzenstein and Crystal on behalf of the non-profit animal rights groups.

Defense attorneys contend the suit is part of a long-running crusade to eliminate animals from circuses, zoos and wildlife parks.

“Feld Entertainment will show during this trial that its elephants are healthy, alert and thriving, and it intends to debunk the misinformation that has been spread by those who do not own or know how to care for an elephant,” said Michelle Pardo of Fulbright & Jaworksi L.L.P, representing Feld Entertainment.

At trial, plaintiffs plan to prove that within the past six years, three other young elephants have died as a result of mistreatment, Silverman said.

Kenny, age 3, died in January 1998 after being forced to perform in three shows when extremely ill, the plaintiffs maintain.

Riccardo, 8 months old, died in August 2004 when he was euthanized after climbing on a 19-inch round platform and breaking his two hind legs, according to the suit.

Infant Birtha died shortly after her birth at the Center for Elephant Conservation in central Florida last year, the suit alleges.

“We’re really all involved in this lawsuit to protect these elephants from the abuse and harm they are currently enduring,” said Silverman.

“We’re not seeking to do away with the circus. We’re not even necessarily seeking that the elephants be out of the circus. We simply want Ringling Brothers to treat their animals humanely.”

Rider, the former Ringling Bros. barn man who filed suit, is expected to testify at trial.

From June 1997 through November 1999, Rider said that he spent time with the elephants, tending the barns where they were kept.

Rider said he saw elephants beaten with bull hooks several times a week.

“I want nothing more than for them to be safe and free from harm,” Rider said.

But Pardo contends when Rider was employed by Ringling Bros. he never raised any concern about the treatment of animals to his employer.

”During his employment, federal and state authorities inspected the animals 35 times and found no evidence of mistreatment,” she said. “Ringling Brothers elephants are healthy and cared for by a full-time team of veterinarians. In every city they are inspected and have never been found in violation of the Animal Welfare Act, a federal law that regulates the treatment of animals in circuses and zoos.”

Bill Woodcock, a former elephant trainer who worked with Ringling in the 1970s and 1990s, said bull hooks are simply used to steer elephants.

“I wouldn’t call them inhumane at all,” said Woodcock. “The bottom line is elephants … were our source of income and part of the family. No one with any intelligence at all is going to damage or harm their source of income or part of their family.”

Jenny Wallenda Anderson, a Ringling Bros. performer who participated in elephant acts from 1947 to 1951, laughed when she learned of the suit Monday.

“When I was on the show, they treated elephants very good and there were always vets around to make sure the animals were cared for,” said Anderson, 81, who lives in Sarasota with a host of other retired Ringling performers.

Credit: The Elephant Sanctuary