LOS ANGELES (June 23, 2025) — On Saturday, dozens of animal advocates gathered outside the Los Angeles Zoo to demand sanctuary — not another zoo — for elephants Billy and Tina. The demonstration was sparked by the zoo’s secretive, overnight transfer of the long-suffering elephants to the Tulsa Zoo, which has been repeatedly named one of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants by In Defense of Animals.

Despite overwhelming public opposition and an active motion by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield (25-0446) that would require the Los Angeles Zoo to provide sanctuary options for these elephants, who spent decades confined at the zoo, the transfer proceeded without public oversight.

“The Los Angeles Zoo can still do the right thing for Billy and Tina,” said Courtney Scott, Elephant Consultant for In Defense of Animals. “If the City Council passes this motion, the zoo must present sanctuary options. A true sanctuary is the only viable option if the zoo genuinely cares about the health and wellbeing of these long-suffering elephants and the values of Angeleno animal lovers.”

The Speak Out for Sanctuary demonstration was hosted by In Defense of Animals, with support from Nonhuman Rights Project, Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles, Los Angeles for Animals, and Last Chance for Animals. Speakers expressed deep frustration and called on the public to push the City Council to pass the pending motion and provide a better future for Billy and Tina.

The day before the secret transfer was made public, the Nonhuman Rights Project filed a groundbreaking habeas corpus lawsuit on behalf of Billy and Tina, arguing that both elephants have been — and continue to be — unlawfully confined. The case is ongoing. 

“We asked the court to do what the zoo has refused to do,” said Courtney Fern, Director of Government at the Nonhuman Rights Project. “Consider the overwhelming scientific, ethical and public support for their freedom.”

Both the Los Angeles and Tulsa Zoo have repeatedly featured on In Defense of Animals’ annual list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants, which exposes the chronic suffering of elephants in captivity, due to inadequate space, social deprivation, and harsh confinement. Tulsa Zoo’s crowded exhibit now holds seven elephants in a barren, impoverished environment.

Billy and Tina’s profound zoochotic behavior — including rocking, swaying, and head-bobbing — is a visible cry for help. These psychological wounds cannot heal in a zoo enclosure. Only sanctuary can provide the environment they need to recover.

More than 21,000 In Defense of Animals supporters have contacted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the City Council urging them to send Billy and Tina to a true sanctuary. Another 18,000 messages were sent to Los Angeles Zoo Director Denise Verret and Dan Ashe, President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Public pressure continues to escalate. A joint letter signed by 85 high-profile figures — including Cher, Bill Maher, Kim Basinger, Lily Tomlin, Justin Theroux, Priscilla Presley, and Ron Perlman, as well as legal experts Lisa Bloom, David Casselman, and former Los Angeles animal cruelty prosecutor Bob Ferber — was delivered to Mayor Bass, urging her to do the right thing.

Concerned citizens are urged to contact their City Councilmember and demand passage of motion 25-0446 to ensure Billy and Tina are considered for sanctuary placement: www.idausa.org/freebillyandtina

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Contact:

In Defense of Animals Elephant Consultant, Courtney Scott, courtney@idausa.org 503-288-6142

High resolution photos and video of the demonstration: https://bit.ly/LASpeakOut

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of defending animals, humans, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, Mississippi, India, and South Korea. www.idausa.org/elephants

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