IDA’s elephant scientist, Dr. Toni Frohoff, has been speaking out about the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants list and the predominance of New York State zoos on the list. Three of the 2014 ten worst zoos for elephants are from New York: the Bronx Zoo, Buffalo Zoo, and Rosamond Gifford Zoo. She highlighted that, “The cold climate of New York is certainly not meant for elephants who have evolved for millennia to live in tropical climates.” Also highlighted is how “conservation under the guise of captivity” should not continue in any of these zoos.

The continued media attention helps raise awareness towards the cruel treatments these elephants face. One elephant in particular, Happy at the Bronx Zoo, has exhibited signs not only of elephants’ vast intelligence, but also her self-awareness of her situation. Happy is able to recognize herself in a mirror and recognizes her own loneliness as she has been forced to live alone for the past ten years. As Frohoff stated, many zoos are closing their elephant exhibits, and hopefully this media attention leads New York zoos to follow suit.

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