Breaking News!
Lily Tomlin Urges Maine Governor To Stop Proposed Elephant Facility
Renowned actor and comedian Lily Tomlin sent a letter to Maine Governor Paul LePage, urging him to stop a plan that would bring an Asian elephant named Rosie to live in Hope, Maine. The plan is fraught with animal welfare and human safety problems. Read more and take action. Read more.
IDA Blasts Pittsburgh Zoo For Import Of Elephant Calf
IDA says the zoo's import of a five-year-old male African calf from Germany is reinforcing the reckless breeding and handling practices prevalent in zoos throughout the world, including the separations of mothers and calves. Read the sad story of Thabo-Umasai, his separation from his mother and other females who nurtured him since birth, and his possibly temporary transfer to the Pittsburgh Zoo.
IDA Applauds Dramatic Policy Shift: That Ends Most Cruel Training Of Elephants In Zoos
IDA has long been fighting to stop archaic, circus-style training in zoos that is inhumane for elephants and lethal for keepers. So we are applauding an important policy change by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) that would end the most cruel training practices in zoos. By September 1, 2014, keepers in AZA zoos will no longer be able to share the same unrestricted space with elephants – which means an end to the use of “free contact” training and bullhooks, though there will be some exceptions. This is a significant step forward, but there is still much work to be done for the many elephants who are still kept in woefully inadequate conditions that cause them to suffer and die prematurely.
Breaking News! USDA Files Charges Against Cole Brothers Circus, For Elephants Tina And Jewel
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has filed formal charges against the Cole Brothers Circus for multiple violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), including those involving the elephants Tina and Jewel. As a result of IDA’s work on behalf of these elephants, the circus should now be held responsible for the horrendous conditions under which the elephants were held. (The USDA charged another exhibitor for violations regarding Queenie.) Thanks to you, the USDA received thousands of emails, letters, faxes and phone calls urging them to take action against this circus. Your calls led to this USDA action. Remember this next time you wonder if your calls and letters do any good. Click here to read more details about these elephants and the USDA charges.
Philadelphia Fundraiser For IDA's Elephant Protection Fund
After an art store owner in Philadelphia was charged with smuggling a staggering one ton of banned African elephant ivory into the U.S., Karen Riggs, owner of the local antique store Tribal Home, decided to do something positive for the elephants and for her community. On Saturday, August 20, she will launch a special month-long sale, with a portion of the profits dedicated to IDA's Elephant Protection Fund and anti-poaching efforts in Africa. At 2 p.m. there will be a special presentation by noted elephant advocate Marianne Bessey. Tribal Home is located at 56 N. 3rd Street in Philadelphia; 215-592-4215. If you can’t make this event you can still contribute to IDA's Elephant Protection Fund and help elephants worldwide by clicking here.
Agony And Ivory - Help Wild Elephants Now
July's Vanity Fair features a must-read article detailing the current state of the ivory trade and its deadly affect on the wild elephants of Africa.
Read the article here.
Click here to learn how you can help wild elephants through IDA's Elephant Protection Fund.
Help IDA Survey Elephants In Zoos
Do you want to do something meaningful to help elephants in captivity? IDA is conducting a survey of elephants in zoos, focusing on the abnormal repetitive swaying, rocking and head bobbing actions known as zoochotic or stereotypic behavior. Click here to see an example of this sad condition.
Though zoo customers may laugh at these behaviors and explain to their children that the elephants are "dancing," the reality is not amusing. Keeping elephants in small, unnatural exhibits causes profound mental stress and suffering. Deprived of all that is natural to them – family, room to roam, and rich, mentally stimulating environments – elephants in zoos can spend hours swaying and rocking. In contrast, stereotypic behavior is not seen in wild elephants.
If you can visit your zoo a minimum of three times over the next 6-8 weeks and spend at least an hour observing the elephants each time, you can help with IDA's survey. We'll provide you with directions and observation sheets. More than one person can visit the same zoo (preferably at different times). We want to gather information on stereotypic behavior from as many zoos as possible. If you would like to volunteer or have questions, contact us today at: Catherine@idausa.org. Please provide the name of the zoo you will visit.
Tell Westfield Malls To Stop Supporting Cole Brothers Circus
Westfield Malls in many locations across the Eastern seaboard have been and will be hosting the Cole Brothers Circus on mall property. This circus shows gross indifference to the welfare of animals and threatens public safety by displaying dangerous wild animals under inadequate control and conditions.
Click here to read more, and to take action.
Greatest Circus Protest On Earth Draws 500 Activists To Los Angeles
IDA made history last year when we organized the largest circus demo Los Angeles had ever seen - 300 activists on the opening night of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at the Staples Center. But this year’s opening night demonstration on July 20 surpassed that number, drawing nearly 500 protestors for the biggest circus protest in history. IDA and a variety of animal protection organizations were represented at the protest, and our message was united: It’s time to end the use of animals in circuses!
International Day Of Action For Elephants In Zoos A Huge Success
This year's International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos (IDAEZ) was an outstanding success, featuring events in 27 cities and a virtual protest using social networking technology to circulate more than 9,000 messages about the suffering and premature deaths of elephants in zoos. IDAEZ events were held at new locations this year, including the Houston Zoo, Fresno Zoo, Honolulu Zoo, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Birmingham Zoo, Milwaukee Zoo and Ft. Worth Zoo. Click here to see a photo slideshow! IDA thanks everyone who participated in IDAEZ in person and on-line. And we thank this year's celebrity supporters, Lily Tomlin, Jorja Fox and Mariana Tosca.
Elephants In Two Circuses Need Immediate Help!
There are many elephants traveling with circuses who are in dire need of intervention. In two Complaints sent to the USDA, IDA focused on elephants exhibited by the Carden Circus and by George Hanneford, Jr., citing dangerous weight loss, lameness, severe repetitive behaviors and other serious health issues. Read more and learn how you can take action.
Read IDA's Complaint on elephants exhibited by Carden.
Read IDA's Complaint on elephants exhibited by Hanneford.
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