New York - Legislation To Ban Captivity Of Elephants & relocate To Sanctuaries

​worldanimalnews.com/new-york-city-just-introduced-legislation-to-ban-elephant-captivity-relocate-those-already-imprisoned-to-accredited-sanctuaries/

New York has introduced legislation that would ban the captivity of the state's elephants and relocate them to sanctuaries, a move applauded by activists and conservationists who recognize the suffering behind elephant captivity. Specifically, Happy the Elephant, who currently resides at the Bronx zoo, alone after her companions passed away. Happy would be released to a sanctuary, living out the remainder of her life under conditions that are more acceptable for an elephant, including more space, other elephants to socialize with, and all around better quality of life. 

Not my photo. Photo taken from World Animal News.

Elephants in captivity suffer tremendously as opposed to those that are free to roam in the wild. They lack the same natural habitat to roam which often leads to arthritis and other painful joint conditions from standing on unnaturally hard surfaces for their lives. They also suffer emotional and mental distress from a lack of social structure, companionship, and other instinctive traits that are denied when kept in captivity, specifically solitary. An animal of this magnitude with so many complex social needs should not be behind bars for human entertainment.

It's my opinion that zoos who profit off of animals are no different than the circus or other entertainment that forces animals in to perform for human gain. Wild animals kept in captivity suffer for their entire lives. They are denied a lot of what comes naturally to them, specifically, the space to roam. Elephants in the wild have miles of habitat in every direction to roam, socialize, forage for food and water etc., but in confinement, they are so confined even in the best of enclosures. This is so unnecessary to impose on any wild animal, especially if it's being done so that humans can profit off of their situations. If zoos are not breeding animals specifically to help with repopulation / rehabilitation of a species, they should not be allowed to do so at all. Captivity is not a life a wild animal deserves, especially if it's to line the pockets of humans.

When so many species are going extinct or face the possibility of extinction, the last thing we should be doing is keeping them captive for entertainment. Our goal should be to do everything in our power to conserve and replenish these animals in the wild. Zoos have the capability to aid in conservation and rehabilitation of a species but when you look at Happy the elephant, we're failing them. This incredible social species is alone in a hard, small enclosure without another elephant to connect with. There is no other acceptable solution but to retire Happy and other captive elephants to sanctuaries where they will have access to more space, other elephants to form bonds with and socialize, and a diet that is more natural to them. 

New York must pass this legislature. It's time to set an example to the rest of the United States & the world that elephants do NOT belong in cages. Free Happy, and ban elephant captivity.

HAPPY VEG