IDA Holds Memorial Honoring One-Year Anniversary of Elephant’s Premature Death
Los Angeles Zoo Unfit for Elephants

Los Angeles-Members of In Defense of Animals (IDA) and Los Angeles Alliance for Elephants, joined by concerned L.A. residents, will gather tomorrow at L.A. Zoo to hold a candlelight vigil and demonstration to commemorate the premature death of Tara, the elephant who died one year ago tomorrow. Tara, a 39-year-old African elephant, suffered chronic and debilitating arthritis prior to her death, a direct result of adverse zoo conditions. Tara became the 12th elephant to die prematurely at L.A. Zoo. The natural lifespan for an elephant is 60-70 years, although in zoos they die at an average of 34 years of age.

What: Candlelight Vigil for Tara the Elephant
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2005, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Where: L.A. Zoo, In front of main entrance

L.A. Zoo has been under intense scrutiny because of the serious condition of Gita, a 47-year-old Asian elephant who has long suffered from arthritis and chronic foot infections that have now invaded bone in the toes of one foot, literally causing bone to rot away. Her terminal condition is a result of lack of space and exercise and standing on hard, unyielding surfaces that irreparably damage elephants' feet and joints. Elephants in the wild walk tens of miles each day on natural surfaces, which serves to maintain foot and joint health.

"Both current problems and history underscore that L.A. Zoo is unfit for elephants," says former L.A. Zoo general curator Les Schobert. "The Zoo is incapable of providing the vast space that elephants need for optimum health, mental stimulation, and social interaction with a large group of elephants. It is my professional opinion that the elephant exhibit should be permanently closed."

Questions about the health and welfare of the elephants at L.A. Zoo have been raised by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who placed a hold on funding for the Zoo's proposed $16 million elephant exhibit, stating concern about whether the Zoo can provide appropriate space for elephants. A formal evaluation is pending.

In the wake of Tara's premature death and those of ten elephants at U.S. zoos over the last year, animal protection groups are calling upon zoos across the country to close their elephant exhibits and send the surviving elephants to the two sanctuaries in California and Tennessee that provide elephants lifelong care in a naturalistic environment

Please visit www.HelpElephants.com for more information.