'Jane Goodall of Elephants' Urges City Council to Protect Pachyderms

Joyce Poole Says Proposed Ordinance Could Save Elephants’ Lives

Chicago — At a special Chicago City Council briefing to be held tomorrow, world-renowned elephant behaviorist Joyce Poole, Ph.D., will address aldermen on the Parks and Recreation Committee and urge them to support the Elephant Protection Ordinance, which would mandate that any elephant brought into the city have suitable space, humane living conditions, and safe handling:

Date: Thursday, August 25
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Place: Chicago City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Rm. 201-A

Dr. Poole is the research director of the Amboseli Elephant Research Project in Kenya. She will provide testimony that elephants in the wild do not suffer the same ailments, such as foot disease, arthritis, weight-related diseases, infertility, heightened aggression, and other neurotic behavior that is experienced by elephants in captivity.

Often referred to as "the Jane Goodall of elephants," Dr. Poole has studied wild-elephant behavior and communication for 30 years. She has lived among savanna elephants in southern Kenya’s Amboseli National Park and previously headed the elephant program at the Kenya Wildlife Service, where she was responsible for elephant conservation and management throughout the country. Dr. Poole’s theses and reports appeared in numerous publications including Nature magazine, and she has participated in more than 85 science documentaries and news interviews since 1986.

Dr. Poole joins animal protection groups PETA, In Defense of Animals (IDA), and Friends of Wankie in supporting the ordinance, which was referred to the Parks and Recreation Committee and will be discussed at an upcoming hearing before going to a full City Council vote.

"Joyce Poole knows elephants and she knows what they need to lead happy, healthy lives," says Chicagoan RaeLeann Smith, IDA spokesperson. "Hopefully, her testimony will convince the City Council that improved protection for captive elephants is long overdue."