Date
July 24, 2006
Contact
Catherine Doyle
323-301-5730
Kristie Phelps
757-423-0093
In Defense of Animals
3010 Kerner Blvd
San Rafael
CA 94901
IDA is an international, California-based animal advocacy organization dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by defending their rights, welfare and habitats.
IDA Urges USDA to Expand Investigation of Los Angeles Zoo
Group Requests Federal Agency to Look into Negligence in 2004 Death of Tara the Elephant
Los Angeles, Calif.—As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigates the June death of Gita the elephant at Los Angeles Zoo, In Defense of Animals (IDA) has filed a second complaint with the agency asking that the scope of the investigation be expanded to include the December 2004 death of Tara, an elephant who died at L.A. Zoo shortly after she was found in a downed position by her keepers.
IDA will release the complaint and details at a news conference tomorrow.
What: Press conference (prior to Zoo Commission Meeting)
When: Tuesday, July 25, 9:30 a.m.
Where: L.A. Zoo, in front of main entrance
In a situation hauntingly similar to Gita’s recent death, Tara, who had twice (in 1997 and 2003) been found down, unable to rise, by Zoo personnel, was found down on the morning on her death, having been unmonitored during the night. No one knows how long she lay there, unable to rise.
Lying in a down position, unable to get up, is extremely dangerous for a large animal like an elephant, as the massive weight of the animal can cause tissue death and crush internal organs. As a recent situation at Milwaukee Zoo demonstrates, prompt intervention is necessary and can save the life of an elephant in that dangerous condition.
“Despite the seriousness of the 1997 and 2003 incidents with Tara, and full knowledge that she was suffering from severe arthritis, the Los Angeles Zoo did not take steps to prevent the situation from occurring again,” remarks IDA President Elliot M. Katz, DVM in the complaint. “And the death of Gita (who also suffered from arthritis), less than two years after the loss of Tara, demonstrates clearly that the Zoo had still not learned from past mistakes.”
IDA’s official complaint alleges that the L.A. Zoo violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to use appropriate methods to prevent, control, diagnose and treat diseases and injuries; failing to provide the prompt emergency care necessary to save the elephants when they collapsed or laid down and couldn’t get up; failing to provide sufficient space and conditions for elephants as evidenced by the severe arthritis from which both Gita and Tara suffered, and the chronic foot abscesses that plagued Gita for years; and failing to move Gita and Tara to an environment with the space and natural habitat necessary to improve their health conditions and quality of life.
For more information see www.helpelephants.com.