News for Florida animal advocates

Animal advocates have been increasingly vocal in recent years about the welfare of elephants in our nation’s zoos. We’ve criticized the inadequate space and artificial conditions of many elephant exhibits. In response, zoos have insisted that they take their responsibility seriously and are doing their best to care for these animals.

Many elephant handlers and veterinarians at zoos across America- such as at the Houston Zoo, Columbus Zoo and Disney’s Animal Kingdom- are members of the Elephant Managers Association (EMA), a professional group with a Code of Ethics that promises, “the highest level of ethical standards, respect and care” of elephants.

So we were shocked when the EMA announced that their annual conference, beginning October 3rd in Orlando, will be hosted by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The same Ringling Bros. that stuffs elephants into train cars for grueling cross-country tours. The same Ringling Bros. that has seen at least 25 elephants die since 1992 (including a baby elephant who was killed after he fractured both hind legs in a fall from a circus pedestal). This is the first time that the conference will be hosted by a circus. All previous conferences, going back to 1980, were held at zoos.

You Can Help
Contact the Elephant Managers Association and let them know that linking the association with the suffering and exploitation of the circus damages the reputation of the zoo community.

Contact:
Stephen Eisele, President
Elephant Managers Association
E-mail: EMABoard@elephant-managers.com

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