The Los Angeles Zoo announced the relocation of its last two Asian elephants, Billy and Tina, to the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma. This decision marks the end of the zoo’s elephant program, which has faced criticism for years due to concerns about the elephants’ living conditions and health.
Billy, aged 40, and Tina, aged 59, will join a larger herd in Tulsa’s newly expanded elephant habitat. The Tulsa Zoo offers a 17-acre complex with a 36,650-square-foot barn and a 10-acre wooded preserve, providing a more spacious environment for the elephants. The move aims to improve their social interactions and overall well-being.
The decision to relocate the elephants follows years of advocacy by animal rights groups and public figures, including Cher and Lily Tomlin, who have long called for Billy to be moved to a sanctuary. Concerns about Billy’s mental health, including repetitive behaviors like bobbing and pacing, have been highlighted by groups such as In Defense of Animals.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the zoo has defended its care of the elephants, citing the need for elephants to live in larger social groups as a reason for the relocation. The zoo also noted that it is currently unfeasible to replace Billy and Tina’s former herd members, Jewel and Shaunzi, who were euthanized due to age-related health issues.
While the relocation is seen as a positive step by some, others, like Courtney Scott from In Defense of Animals, express disappointment that the elephants are not being sent to a sanctuary. The move is expected to take place soon, although an exact date has not been set.
NBC Los Angeles reported that the decision reflects the zoo’s commitment to the health and well-being of its animals. The zoo plans to pause its elephant program indefinitely, allowing Angelenos a final chance to visit Billy and Tina at Griffith Park before their relocation.
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