Happy the Elephant

Protection advocates and concerned citizens have been trying to end the elephant captivity program for decades and now some zoos are starting to sit up and pay attention. Like the Bronx Zoo in New York, in 2006 they ended their elephant program, but 10 years after the decision the zoo still holds 3 elephants captured and its not because they changed their minds its because they say and I quote that "elephants have the potential to live very long lives – some of them living well into their sixties." This is Happy's story.

In 1977, Happy was taken from the wild in Thailand along with her companion Grumpy. They were two of the seven captured that were put on display in the US. After 25 years in captivity Grumpy passed away and was replaced with Sammie to be kept with Happy. Four years passed and Sammie was euthanized due to the illness. After Sammie's death was when the zoo decided to end their elephant program. Most people would think that after the decision was made the zoo would move Happy somewhere else but that wasn't the case. They decided to "wait it out" or in other words wait until the elephants died out. And because of that rule Happy has been alone for almost ten years. In 2006 Happy participated in a study to test her intelligence. A mark was put above her left eyebrow and she was put in front of a mirror to see if she could recognize herself. In no time at all she noticed the mark and touched it with her trunk. This study proved that Happy should not b in solitary confinement all day. Also she is in danger from the fluctuating temperatures in New York and the stress of living in a too small of a enclosure for a full grown elephant.

People have made calls for the Bronx zoo to lose their accreditation but its not definite the outcome for Happy an the other elephants staying there. People have also made calls for Happy to be moved to a sanctuary but the zoo has showed no interest. No one knows what the best plan is for Happy but it would help if the zoo would show some interest. "Happy’s sad story is a poignant reminder that keeping elephants in zoos will not be phased out overnight and even if all the zoos made the right decision tomorrow, elephant-free zoos are still decades away while those already in captivity live out their lives." There needs to be some push to help elephants like Happy to be taken out of captivity and put into sanctuaries but the first step has to start with us. If we push the zoos to release these elephants their lives will be better
source: (http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/happy-the-loneliest-elephant-bronx-zoo/)

This is so true! How is looking at animals in cages educational?

Belgium Bans Wild Animals in Circuses!

Good News! Belgium has banned the use of wild animals in circuses. They passed a bill presented by the Minister of Animal Welfare. There were concerns of the living conditions for the animals that are in circuses for a while. Last year, Belgium tried to adopt laws that would require circuses not to use wild animals but the  Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA) said those standards couldn't be met. “It is clear that the welfare of wild animals cannot be guaranteed in circuses; they have no place there. A ban is the only logical step. We are very pleased; it’s yet another victory in the fight for animals.” said by Ann De Greef, Director of GAIA. The treatment of animals have become more prominent and the fact that the animals have to " be exposed and range from severe confinement, grueling transport, an inability to engage in natural behaviors, the stress of being forced to perform for large crowds and the physical and psychological issues that their living conditions cause." is just not fair. there have been multiple attempts to stop the use of wild animals in circuses but most of the time the shows continued even though they violated the Animal Welfare Act. in the U.S animal advocates are trying to get the  Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act passed but legislature didn't pass it. they are hoping to give it another try this year. “Keeping elephants in chains, confining wild animals like lions and tigers in small cages, and forcing them to perform unnatural tricks for the sole purpose of human amusement is increasingly difficult to justify the more we learn about these intelligent, social creatures,” said Moran at the bill’s original announcement. It is a great step in the right direction but people need to act on these situations now to officially end the abuse these animals are going through in the circus.

 http://www.care2.com/causes/victory-belgium-bans-wild-animals-in-circuses.html#ixzz3nQ6m2dfx