Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants

The Ballard News-Tribune has a great write-up (excerpt below) about Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephant’s latest action, involving an airplane towing a banner over the zoo, reading “Zoo Elephants Suffer”:

Airplane banner over WPZ (photo from Ballard News-Tribune)

On Friday, July 15, the Friends of the Woodland Park Zoo Elephants took their protest to the air. Towing a banner with the message “Zoo elephants suffer”, an airplane flew over Woodland Park Zoo and the surrounding neighborhoods.

“When people see the aerial message, we hope they will contact the Seattle City Council and WPZ to ask for the release of these long-suffering elephants to the Sanctuary”, says Sandy Clinton of Friends of the Woodland Park Zoo Elephants.

As the airplane was coming in from Renton, members of Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants and Sound Animal Rights Alliance lined the West entrance of the Woodland Park Zoo, calling for the release of the Zoo’s elephants to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Read the full story in the Ballard News-Tribune

Check out this story on Komo News about tomorrow’s exciting event. (Excerpt below)
Banner protesting treatment of zoo’s elephants hitting Seattle skies

The local group crusading for the release of the Woodland Park Zoo’s three elephants will be receiving a little air support in their fight tomorrow when an airplane trailing a banner reading, “Zoo elephants suffer,” will take to the Seattle skies.

Alyne Fortgang, of Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants, said the aerial message –flying above the zoo and I-5 during rush-hour traffic – will help the group reach tens of thousands of eyes.

Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants has been advocating for the release of the elephants to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, claiming the small space of captivity at the zoo is causing the animals physical and mental ailments.

Read the full story here

It is incomprehensible that doing this to a highly intelligent, social being is considered educational by the zoo industry.  Please join Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants in bringing awareness to the consequences of keeping Bamboo, Chai and Watoto in tiny, impoverished conditions.

Jungle Party is the Woodland Park Zoo’s largest fund raiser of the year and all the donors must drive right by us.  Please come to show your support for the release of Bamboo, Chai and Watoto to the 2,700 acre Elephant Sanctuary in TN.

When: Friday, July 15, 2011
Time: 4pm – 6:00
Where: NEW location from previous years: Woodland Park Zoo’s WEST entrance – on Phinney Ave N. at N. 55th, Seattle, WA  98103

Some great news: ALDF law suit refiled.  The first attempt at making the City of Seattle and Woodland Park Zoo accountable for the mistreatment of elephants in violation of Washington State and Seattle animal cruelty laws was dismissed on the technicality of standing.  The zoo was not exonerated from causing harm and suffering – hopefully this time they will have to release the elephants.