Thanks to the generous support and activism of individuals across the country, this has been a historic week for elephants suffering in circuses and zoos.

This past week saw hundreds of individuals from over thirty countries around the world standing in solidarity in demonstrations both virtual and in the real-world. Over 1500 people participated in a first of its kind on-line demonstration while at locations within the United States and Canada over 100 demonstrators showed their support by attending In Defense of Animals’ “International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos.”

International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos is part of IDA’s global Elephant Campaign and this year focused on the plight of three lonely elephants held captive in North American Zoos, whose dire circumstances necessitate the need for immediate activism on their behalf. Lucky – located at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas, Lucy – located in Edmonton, Alberta and Asha – located at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Roanoke Virginia.

Dr. Toni Frohoff, IDA’s Elephant Scientist says, “The particular atrocities that these three elephants suffer in solitary in North American zoos will hopefully dispel the myth that North American – or any zoos – treat elephants humanely. Elephant advocates around the world want to see these – and all captive elephants – be released and retired to accredited sanctuaries where they can live in comfort and companionship rather than in misery. All of these solitary elephants are female – perhaps a particular tragedy given that in the wild, they would be living in close-knit, multi-generational social groups as aunties, grandmothers, mothers, daughters, maybe even granddaughters. The females would normally stay with their matrilineal families for life!”

IDA’s dedicated supporters have been with us every step of the way over the last eleven years as our elephant campaign has worked to dispel the half-truths and obfuscations of the circus and zoo industries. Your support has enabled us to bring the fight for these three gentle giants to the forefront of public opinion.

Dr. Frohoff concludes; “Elephants in the wild are on the brink of going extinct and keeping them in zoos and circuses is not helping. If anything zoos and circuses divert resources and attention away from real conservation efforts to protect elephants in the wild – where they belong.”

If you have not already done so, please consider making a generous donation to IDA’s elephant campaign today. Your support allows us to continue our elephant education and outreach programs, assist with grass roots activism campaigns like IDEAZ, and most importantly to continue the fight to free elephants like Asha, Lucky and Lucy to sanctuaries.

http://idausa.org/elestand15