who belongs in the zoo
Standing alone in a small enclosure, a 21-year-old Asian bull elephant named Billy seems oblivious to the two dozen schoolchildren who press against a chain-link fence to get a closer look. He bobs his massive head up and down and moves his weight from one side to the other. His trunk reaches toward a blue plastic toy that is there for him to play with. Billy lumbers over to another part of the yard--his massive gray body, wrinkled skin and fanlike ears, looking irresistible. Some of the kids have never been this close to a real, live elephant, and they think he's cool!
But to some, Billy's situation is very uncool. In the wild, elephants roam as much as 30 miles a day, snacking on lush green foliage, bathing in water holes and interacting with other elephants in groups of up to 20. At the Los Angeles Zoo, Billy has had just under an acre on which to roam (move). Soon, however, he will share 3.7 acres (about three football fields) with two companions. That's generous, but critics, or people who disagree, say it's still not enough space for an elephant to exercise. Living in such a small space, elephants are prone to arthritis, foot problems and even early death. Billy's head bobbing, they say, is a sign that he is in distress because of his physical environment. "I've come to the conclusion after many years that it is simply not possible for zoos to meet the needs of elephants," says David Hancocks, an outspoken zoo consultant and former director of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Zoos across the country have decided to stop exhibiting, or having elephants, in their zoo. The Bronx Zoo in New York City is an example of zoo that will no longer have an elephant exhibit. Only zoos who are able to provide large mammals such as an elephant with enough space to roam and graze should exhibit these animals.
But to some, Billy's situation is very uncool. In the wild, elephants roam as much as 30 miles a day, snacking on lush green foliage, bathing in water holes and interacting with other elephants in groups of up to 20. At the Los Angeles Zoo, Billy has had just under an acre on which to roam (move). Soon, however, he will share 3.7 acres (about three football fields) with two companions. That's generous, but critics, or people who disagree, say it's still not enough space for an elephant to exercise. Living in such a small space, elephants are prone to arthritis, foot problems and even early death. Billy's head bobbing, they say, is a sign that he is in distress because of his physical environment. "I've come to the conclusion after many years that it is simply not possible for zoos to meet the needs of elephants," says David Hancocks, an outspoken zoo consultant and former director of the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Zoos across the country have decided to stop exhibiting, or having elephants, in their zoo. The Bronx Zoo in New York City is an example of zoo that will no longer have an elephant exhibit. Only zoos who are able to provide large mammals such as an elephant with enough space to roam and graze should exhibit these animals.