We are embarking on our annual 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list and want to enlist you to fulfill a special and important assignment. Grab your phone or camera and head to your local zoo and take photos of the elephants. There are elephants in zoos from Connecticut to California and all points in between. We also need photos from Canadian zoos. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated in getting photos and short videos of all these elephants, to help us chronicle their sad stories of suffering in captivity.

We need photos of single elephants, groups of elephants, and short videos indoors and/or outdoors of any zoochotic (swaying, pacing, bobbing) behavior that you see. Many cities do have zoos with elephants, so if you live near one and are willing to take on this assignment we would be most appreciative.

You can use your smartphone or if you have a camera with a long lens, that would be very useful. But anything you can do with a phone or camera is welcome. If you would like help with the entrance fee, just let us know and we will provide that.

This is your chance to make a meaningful difference in the fight for elephant freedom. By capturing these moments, you’re not just taking photos—you’re documenting the reality of life for elephants in captivity. Your images and videos will be powerful tools that can bring about change, exposing the harsh truth behind the bars and enclosures. This is more than just an assignment; it's a way for you to become an activist, a voice for these magnificent beings who deserve so much more. Join us in this critical mission to advocate for their release and to ensure that their stories are seen and heard worldwide. Your participation could be the catalyst that drives the change they so desperately need.

Our supporters are the heart of our organization. Your interest, concern, and contributions are critical to the success of our mission to create a better future for elephants and all animals. Thank you. We are deeply grateful for the part your participation will help to achieve this goal.

How to Help

Check our 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list to get an idea of what photos we have used in the past.

Please send images to pix@idausa.org and videos to video@idausa.org by October 15. Kindly provide the name of the zoo, and the elephant names if those are available, the date of your visit, and let us know if you want to be credited and if it is okay for us to use the photos for any purpose including fundraising.

In the meantime, please sign, make calls, and share our alert to send Billy and Tina at the Los Angeles Zoo to sanctuary if you haven’t already.