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Queenie Needs Your Help More Than Ever!

Queenie Needs Your Help More Than Ever!

Urge Senate Agriculture Committee to investigate USDA’s role in sending her to inadequate zoo

After a lifetime of abuse in the circus industry, and over the objections of IDA, elephant experts, and thousands of caring citizens, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) orchestrated the transfer of the elephant Queenie last month to the San Antonio Zoo, as part of a settlement with abusive circus handler Will Davenport. There, she joins the misnamed Lucky, who has spent nearly her entire life confined in an outdated and inadequate pen unfit for one elephant, much less two.

IDA sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which oversees the USDA, urging a full investigation into the agency’s actions in brokering Queenie’s transfer to San Antonio. The letter details the highly unusual conditions of the settlement, financial pressure exerted on Davenport to send Queenie to the zoo, and approval of a facility that does not provide the specialized rehabilitative care Queenie needs.

What you can do:

Please join us in urging the Senate committee to launch an investigation by taking a quick moment to send a fax to Committee Chair Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ranking Member Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).

Please follow up with a phone call. This is especially important if you live in these senators’ districts.

Sen. Lincoln: 202-224-4843

Sen. Chambliss: 202-224-3521

You can also call the Senate Committee’s main office at (202) 224-2035

Please continue to call USDA Secretary Vilsack’s office and tell him of your dismay over Queenie’s situation. You may be directed to another number but please follow through – it’s vital that the Secretary knows the widespread concern over Queenie is not dying down. Phone: (202) 720-3631

Queenie has endured many decades of intense confinement, abusive training, constant travel and neglect, and she is entitled to a true retirement in a sanctuary that can provide the stable environment and care she needs. Please don’t hesitate; send your fax today!

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