Group blocks plan to send elephants to sanctuary
Cold climates aggravate the elephants' arthritis.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) -- A group that regulates the care of zoo animals has blocked the Detroit Zoo's plan to send two aging, arthritic elephants to a sanctuary, saying they must go to another zoo if anywhere.
A committee of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association said that if Winky and Wanda are to move, it should be to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Columbus.
"The Columbus Zoo has five elephants -- including a male calf -- and four acres, including a one-acre, indoor heated, temperature-controlled facility," said association Director Sydney Butler. "The committee found this is the right place to send these two elephants."
Detroit Zoo Director Ron Kagan said in May that Detroit would be the nation's first major zoo to voluntarily give up its elephants solely on ethical grounds.
Even though Detroit's one-acre enclosure vastly exceeds American Zoo and Aquarium Association standards, Kagan said zoos generally are incapable of providing for the social, physical and emotional needs of the animals.
Cold bothers them
Furthermore, Detroit Zoo officials say the elephants' arthritis is exacerbated in cold climates. Detroit Zoo officials are planning a trip to the Columbus Zoo next week to meet with staff.
"Our first and foremost commitment is to the elephants' well-being," Kagan said in a prepared statement Friday.
The Detroit Zoo still wants to send 51-year-old Winky and 46-year-old Wanda to one of two U.S. sanctuaries. There, they would be able to roam hundreds of acres and get more exercise as they would in the wild, where elephants can walk 30 miles a day.
"Detroit Zoological officials feel that the AZA standards and guidelines for elephants are inadequate and do not address several important issues, such as the impact of weather," the Detroit Zoo said. "Zoo officials have the option to appeal the AZA's recommendation and are preparing a response."
Violating the association's recommendation by sending the elephants to a sanctuary could mean disciplinary action against the Detroit Zoo and possible revocation of its accreditation.
Further repercussions
There could be further repercussions for sending Wanda elsewhere, because she is on loan to Detroit from the San Antonio Zoo, which supports the group's recommendation.
"Loss of accreditation is way down the line, and I trust this can be worked out," Butler told the Detroit Free Press.
The association's Species Survival Plan Committee is charged with overseeing the management of the U.S. captive elephant population.
The Humane Society says between 300 and 500 elephants are kept in zoos and circuses around the country.