First-Time Ever, Behind-the-Scenes Look at Elephant Suffering at Six Flags to be Revealed at Press Conference

International Organization Calls on City of Vallejo to Send Elephants to Sanctuary, Not Sell Them to Six Flags Corporation

Vallejo, Calif.—In Defense of Animals (IDA) is issuing an urgent plea to the City of Vallejo to send the elephants at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to a sanctuary. IDA will hold a press conference to issue a report on the state of the elephants at the North Bay amusement park.

Citing medical records and eyewitness testimony, the organization will disclose evidence that the elephants are victims of abusive treatment and are ailing as a direct result of the inadequate, stressful, and barren conditions at the park. IDA will also urge an immediate end to shows that may exacerbate elephants’ physical ailments.

When: Thursday, June 28, 2007 12:00 p.m.
Where: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, 1001 Fairgrounds Dr. (in front of the ticket booth)

IDA’s request comes before the pending sale of the City’s interest in Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to the park. The sale would include four elephants “owned” by the City of Vallejo.

“The city of Vallejo has made millions of dollars from this park and these elephants,” writes Elliot M. Katz, DVM, President of IDA in a letter to the Mayor. “Instead of selling them like furniture, the City must take immediate responsibility for their well-being by sending the elephants to a sanctuary where they can live the rest of their lives in peace.”

IDA’s call for transfer of the elephants to a sanctuary comes amidst an escalating national controversy about keeping this intelligent and complex species in cramped and inadequate zoo exhibits. Three elephants have died in the past month at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos, and fewer than half of the 54 elephants who died at AZA zoos since 2000 made it to their fortieth birthday. Elephants’ natural lifespan is 60-70 years.

Conditions at Six Flags are among the worst of any zoo in the country. In addition to outdated facilities and circus-style training methods that rely on force and physical punishment, the park uses elephants in rides and circus-like shows, practices many zoos have abandoned due to humane and public safety concerns.

Read the Six Flags Report
View the Six Flags Elephants Medical Records.

For more information, please visit www.helpelephants.com