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Tell Busch Gardens Tampa Bay to Protect Elephants & End Animal Suffering!

Major issues adversely affecting animals and staff at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have just been exposed by the Weeping Elephant Project; now we’re demanding changes.

Busch Gardens, elephants

Solitary Elephant Belle Deserves Retirement from the Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee County Zoo’s last elephant Belle should be retired to sanctuary now.

Belle, elephant, Milwaukee County Zoo, Sanctuary, solitary elephants

Victory! Freedom is in Sight for the Elephants at Roger Williams Park Zoo

The 3 African elephants at Roger Williams Park Zoo will head to sanctuary in 2027.

African elephants, captivity, elephants, Sanctuary

The Dangers of Zoo Life For Endangered Elephants

Life in captivity is fraught with dangers for endangered elephants.

10 Worst Zoos, captivity, elephants, endangered species, zoos

WATCH: The Sad Elephant In The Room: The Psychological Toll Of Captivity

The hidden emotional suffering of captive elephants is revealed

Africa, animal welfare, Billy, Captive elephants, elephant sanctuary, elephants, psychological suffering, Tulsa Zoo, zoochosis, zoos

WATCH: Alice the Elephant Escaped ABQ Biopark in Desperate Attempt to Reach Foliage

Elephant Alice at Alb Bio Park Zoo shows true grit by breaking out of her zoo cell to forage.

10 Worst Zoos, captivity, elephants, Sanctuary, worst zoos, zoos

Bronx Zoo: Give Patty The Freedom That Happy Was Denied

Patty is the last remaining elephant at the Bronx Zoo, and she deserves to live the rest of her life in a sanctuary.

Bronx Zoo, captivity, elephants, Patty

UPDATE: Tembo's Tragic Tale: Held For 50 Years at the Topeka Zoo Until Death Set Her Free

After 50 years of confinement, elephant Tembo dies at Topeka Zoo, never able to enjoy one day of freedom, but the zoo will now close its exhibit.

African elephants, captivity, elephant exhibit, Tembo, Topeka Zoo

MEDIA RELEASE: Happy the Elephant Dies at the Bronx Zoo

In Defense of Animals is deeply saddened by the death of Happy, an Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo who has been at the center of an ongoing battle to send her to…

10 Worst Zoos, Bronx Zoo, elephants, Happy

Forgotten Elephant Pregolya: A Trail of Incest, Isolation & Death

Forgotten elephant Pregolya’s life was tragic from beginning to end. She lived all alone for 26 years, was bred with her father over and over, and all 5 of her offspring…

captivity, forgotten elephants, inbreeding, infanticide, Pregolya, zoos

Samuel L. Jackson & a 10-Year-Old Boy Unite to Speak Up for Elephants Billy & Tina

Samuel L. Jackson and 10 year-old Nick Wilson urge the Tulsa Zoo to release elephants Billy & Tina to sanctuary.

advocacy, Billy, Captive elephants, captivity, celebrity, elephant sanctuary, elephants, Los Angeles Zoo, Oklahoma, Tina, Tulsa Zoo, Wild Animals

MEDIA RELEASE: Samuel L. Jackson Urges Tulsa Zoo to Release LA Elephants Billy & Tina

Hollywood titan Samuel L. Jackson is stepping in to help bring elephants Billy and Tina to the sanctuary they deserve

10 Worst Zoos, Billy, elephants, Los Angeles Zoo, Tina, Tulsa Zoo

For International Women's Month, Honor Female Elephants

Female elephants in zoos are forced into pregnancies and lifelong confinement. Honor them this International Women’s Month by advocating for freedom in sanctuaries.

breeding elephants, captivity, elephant conservation myth, elephant sanctuaries, elephant welfare, elephants, female elephants, International Women’s Day, International Women’s Month, zoos

Topeka Zoo Crisis: Sole Elephant Tembo Left in Solitary Confinement

Lonely elephant, Tembo, is condemned to cruel solitary confinement at the Topeka Zoo after Cora's death. Demand her transfer to a true sanctuary now.

African elephants, Sanctuary, Tembo, Topeka Zoo

MEDIA RELEASE: Houston Zoo’s Deadly Breeding Lands It on the List of 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants

In Defense of Animals has named the Houston Zoo the No. 1 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America for 2025.

10 Worst Zoos, elephants, Houston Zoo

End Billy & Tina’s Suffering at the Tulsa Zoo & Send All 7 Elephant to Sanctuary

Elephants Billy and Tina, plus the other five elephants, deserve retirement from Tulsa Zoo to a sanctuary.

Billy, captivity, elephants, Sanctuary, Tina, Tulsa Zoo, zoochosis

MEDIA RELEASE: Zoo “Baby Boom” Turns Deadly: 1 in 4 Elephant Calves Die Before Age 5

For the first time, In Defense of Animals has dedicated its renowned 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list to exposing the fatal consequences of breeding captive elephants,…

10 Worst Zoos, elephants

Send the Suffering Elephants at Two Tails Ranch to Sanctuary!

Two Tails Ranch in Florida has faced a lot of criticism over its facilities and treatment of elephants in its care. It’s time to send its five elephants to sanctuary!

10 Worst Zoos, elephants, Natural Bridge Zoo, Two Tails Ranch

WATCH: Forgotten Elephant Watoto, A Life Behind Bars

Forgotten elephant Watoto existed at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle for 43 years, deprived of everything that makes life worthwhile for elephants.

10 Worst Zoos, African elephants, captivity, elephants, forgotten elephants, Watoto, Woodland Park Zoo, zoos

WATCH: The Los Angeles Premiere of Lucy, the Stolen Lives of Elephants is a Big Hit!

In Defense of Animals hosts the premiere of the groundbreaking film, Lucy, the Stolen Lives of Elephants in Los Angeles.

10 Worst Zoos, documentary, Edmonton Valley Zoo, elephants

Forgotten Elephant Mary Endured a Heartless Hanging

Forgotten elephant Mary was a circus star who met a cruel ending when she was heartlessly hanged.

circus, elephants, hanging of elephant, honoring forgotten elephants, Mary

The Devastating Loss of Matriarchs Threatens Elephant Survival

Matriarchs are the oldest and wisest members of elephant societies, but they are under severe threat from trophy hunting, poaching, and habitat loss.

Africa, dissolution of herds, elephant storytellers, elephants, habitat loss, matriarchs, poaching, sport hunting

Parole Zoo Tampa's Constricted, Cramped Elephants from Prison to Sanctuary

Six elephants at Zoo Tampa are crowded into a 2.5-acre prison-like enclosure. The lone male, Sdudla, is often isolated in his even smaller yard.

10 Worst Zoos, African elephants, barren exhibits, cramped enclosure, elephants, Zoo Tampa

Attend the Virtual Memorial Honoring the Tragic Life & Death of Elephant Indu

A virtual memorial on July 9 will honor the sad life and tragic death of Indu, the elephant at the Phoenix Zoo.

Asian elephant, elephant sanctuary, honoring forgotten elephants, Indu, older elephants, Phoenix Zoo, virtual memorial

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