Enough is Enough: PETA and IDA Implore Zoo to Send Surviving Elephant to Sanctuary, Not to Salt Lake City Zoo
Zoo Industry Chooses Chronic Animal Welfare Act Violator as Home for Wankie

Chicago — In the wake of the decision to transfer the African elephant Wankie from Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City, PETA, In Defense of Animals (IDA), Utah Animal Rights Coalition, Animal Protection & Rescue League, and San Diego Animal Advocates will hold simultaneous demonstrations at the zoos in Chicago, Salt Lake City, and San Diego. Concerned about Wankie’s health and well-being, PETA is calling on the zoo industry to transfer Wankie to one of two accredited sanctuaries, where she can stroll over hundreds of acres of natural habitat, have her pick of elephant companions, and enjoy a permanent, caring home:

Date: Wednesday, April 27
Time: 12 noon
Place: Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., at the elephant exhibit

Wankie’s two companions of more than 30 years, Peaches and Tatima, died at Lincoln Park Zoo after the three were discarded by the San Diego Wild Animal Park two years ago to make room for younger elephants captured in the wild. The San Diego Zoo still retains ownership of Wankie.

Hogle Zoo has a disturbing record of animal care and, like all zoos, lacks sufficient space for elephants. The zoo paid a $25,000 fine to settle U.S. Department of Agriculture charges alleging chronic violations of the Animal Welfare Act, and numerous animals have died from unsafe conditions. Recently, Utah officials accused the zoo of selling bighorn sheep to a game ranch for trophy hunting.

Says PETA Director Debbie Leahy, “More than half of the 37 elephants who died at American Zoo and Aquarium Association-accredited facilities since 2000 never reached the age of 40, dying far short of their 70-year life expectancy. At 35, Wankie still has a chance to live a full and enriching life at a sanctuary where her days will be filled with adventure, activity, and companionship.”

A resolution introduced by Alderman George Cardenas recommending that Wankie be sent to a sanctuary and that Lincoln Park Zoo become the ninth U.S. zoo to permanently close its elephant exhibit is pending.

For more information, please visit PETA’s Web site SaveWildElephants.com and IDA’s Web site SaveZooElephants.com.