Early this year we named the Pittsburgh Zoo as the second worst zoo for elephants in the nation on our Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants list. The Zoo’s reckless breeding practices took the life of a calf who died last summer after only three months of fighting for her life. Now the University of Pittsburgh’s independent student newspaper is calling them out. 

Despite this young elephant’s struggle to survive, she was still put on display for the public. Zoos are, after all, profit-based and focused on netting as much financial gain as possible off the animals. 

Elephants continue to suffer physical, psychological and emotional distress behind the deceitful façade held up by zoos. Abusive keepers, broken social bonds with other elephants, forced pregnancies, inadequate, cramped, and sterile conditions, all contribute to inevitable physical and psychological breakdowns for these sensitive, self-aware, deeply intelligent beings.

The Pittsburgh Zoo is one zoo among many that continues to deny the undisputable truth of suffering and misery, all while claiming that the work they do is “conservation.” We applaud the University of Pittsburgh’s independent student newspaper for calling out the Pittsburgh Zoo’s misguided efforts for elephants with an excellent article.