Elephants are genetically wired to walk great distances. Science has shown us that they are highly intelligent, possess deep feelings, retain lifelong memories, and have a complex family and social life.

Is it humane to keep elephants at Woodland Park Zoo?

Lack of Space – Cruel confinement

  • Indoors: Bamboo, Chai, and Watoto are locked in tiny barren stalls 16- 17 hours a day for about 7 months each year.  Watoto is kept in solitary confinement.
  • Outdoors: The elephants have less than 1 acre.

Irresponsible breeding program

  • 85% of young Asian elephants who have contracted herpes have died.
  • Hansa died of herpes in 2006.
  • Watoto tested positive for herpes in May, 2008.
  • WPZ has no way to keep a calf from being exposed to herpes since the calf’s own mother is likely a carrier, as are the other elephants.
  • WPZ has no infection control in place.
  • There is no cure for EEHV.
  • The herpes virus attacks the blood vessels causing massive internal hemorrhaging.
  • WPZ artificially inseminated Chai for the 56th and 57th time in March 2010.
  • Chai has had numerous miscarriages

Deteriorating health

  • Bamboo and Chai have chronic foot infections.
  • Foot disease is the leading cause of death in zoo elephants.
  • Bamboo and Watoto suffer from arthritis.
  • The elephants suffer from bouts of painful colic.
  • They are overweight and get no exercise likely leading to heart disease.

Neurotic stereotypic behavior

  • All three elephants display neurotic repetitive behaviors – outward signs of stress and trauma.
  • Watoto paces and sways.
  • Bamboo paces and swivels her head.
  • Chai paces on her front legs while bobbing her head.

History of traumas

  • The elephants endured harsh training methods in the past including block and tackle and being hit with sharp-pointed bullhooks.
  • They were chained 16 – 17 hours a day in the late 80’s through early 90’s.
  • Chai was beaten for 2 ½ hours at Dickerson Park Zoo where she was sent to breed (for which that zoo was fined by the USDA).
  • In 2002 Sri was sent away after 21 years at WPZ.  At the St. Louis Zoo Sri became pregnant; the fetus died in utero and remains in her after 5 years.  Her living conditions are worse than at WPZ.
  • In 2005 Bamboo was sent away from the only home and family she knew for 38 years (she was returned).
  • In 2007, Chai’s 6 year old daughter, Hansa, died at her feet in a pool of diarrhea.
  • They are deprived of the ability to engage in elephant behaviors.
  • The elephants live in an inhumane amount of space.

Learning about elephants and conservation can be accomplished without their suffering.

Freeing the elephants to live at the 2,700 acre Elephant Sanctuary should be the ethical and humane decision of an enlightened zoo, government, and society.