On January 28, 2024, dozens of supporters and community leaders turned up at the Los Angeles Zoo to join us and co-hosts Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles and Los Angeles for Animals in urging the zoo and the Los Angeles City Council to free the lone bull elephant Billy from his 34 years of incarceration at the zoo.

The LA Zoo has the dishonor of being named the number one worst zoo on In Defense of Animals list of 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2023. Billy's sad plight is the primary reason why. As we illustrate on our list this year, bull elephants suffer horrendously in captivity. Billy's pronounced zoochotic behavior indicates that his situation is dire.

Former LA City Councilor Paul Koretz, along with former mayor of Burbank and candidate for LA Supervisor Konstantine Anthony, David Casselman, the attorney who filed a lawsuit against the LA Zoo, and In Defense of Animals Campaigns Director Lisa Levinson, galvanized the crowd with their rousing speeches to retire Billy. Singer/songwriter Nicolette Auberg also graced the crowd with a beautiful song for Billy.

The media showed up in force to help spread the word to the world that it is time to finally send Billy to a serene, spacious sanctuary where he can begin to heal from his decades of zoochotic bobbing and pacing in his 1-acre yard. At the same time, we urge the zoo to also release 57-year-old Tina before she too, like her fellow inmates Shaunzi and Jewell, dies without ever having experienced a moment of freedom. 

The next step is for the LA City Council to move forward with the motion to free Billy, which was introduced by Paul Koretz and seconded by current councilmember Bob Blumenfield. We are meeting with Blumenfield's office to get an update on when the hearing will be scheduled for a vote, and we will keep you all informed about our progress.

In the meantime, please sign our alert to free Billy.

We also encourage you to learn more about what we do to help elephants and ask that you please consider making a donation to support our work if it is possible for you. Thanks so very much for caring.