Court refuses urgent plea to halt relocation of L.A. Zoo elephants, Billy and Tina.
Sueing Over Seniors: Billy and Tina's Bumpy Journey Continues
In the ongoing struggle for the welfare of the aging elephants, Billy and Tina, a judge declined to halt the Los Angeles Zoo's decision to transfer them to the Tulsa Zoo. John Kelly, an L.A. resident, filed a suit last week, arguing for their relocation to a sanctuary instead. His advocates filed an emergency motion for a restraining order on Tuesday, but it was denied.
As the drama unfolded on Thursday, Melissa Lerner, the lawyer representing Kelly, shared with The Times that the judge decided against the motion due to feeling that the matter should be addressed by the City Council and mayor rather than the courts. Lerner urged concerned citizens to communicate with their local representatives in the City Council and the mayor.
Animal rights activists have repeatedly criticized the L.A. Zoo for keeping elephants in a smaller-than-optimal enclosure, claiming it causes serious health issues. The deaths of two elephants in the past few years, allegedly due to age-related problems, have only intensified these concerns, leaving only Billy and Tina - housed separately in an approximately 6.5-acre elephant habitat.
Upon learning of the lawsuit, the L.A. Zoo announced that the decision to transport Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo's spacious elephant complex was made in consultation with the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its Elephant Species Survival Plan. The zoo defended its decision to prioritize animal care, stating that "activist agendas and protests are rightfully not a consideration in decisions that impact animal care."
The State of California
Cher Chimes In, Bass Faces Pressure
Speaking to reporters outside the court Thursday, Lerner remained adamant and implored Mayor Karen Bass to take action, stating that she had the power to "prevent their transfer before it's too late." The mayor's office did not respond to the request for comment.
The emergency filing emphasized the urgency of the case due to the possible health risks associated with transporting elephants, urging the judge to maintain the status quo and keep Billy and Tina in Los Angeles until the court could review the case thoroughly.
The lawsuit highlighted concerns about the decision-making process involving the transfer, as it occurred without public or City Council input. In a sworn declaration, L.A. Zoo Director and CEO Denise Verret noted that Tina was not owned by the L.A. Zoo but by the San Diego Zoo, and that the Tulsa Zoo had already made arrangements for her transfer.
Verret stated that the decision to relocate elephants came after the death of Shaunzi, a 53-year-old elephant, in 2024. The death left the zoo unable to meet AZA standards for accredited zoos that require at least three Asian elephants. With this development, the options were to either add more elephants to the exhibit or relocate Billy and Tina to adhere to the standards.
Activists denounce the Tulsa Zoo's 'Elephant Experience and Preserve', noting that it's technically part of the Tulsa Zoo, and not a true sanctuary offering suitable environments for aging elephants. They worry that the public was misled by the zoo's announcement, which lacked transparency about the final destination.
In a sworn declaration, Verret emphasized that the L.A. Zoo risks losing its AZA accreditation if another body or person is able to influence the relocation decisions. Verret also pointed out that the Toronto Zoo lost its AZA accreditation in 2012 by sending its elephants to a sanctuary upon the instructions of the Toronto City Council.
Lerner expressed her intention to continue advocating on behalf of Billy and Tina, stating, "It's a setback, but it's not the end. We're going to assess the next steps with our lawsuit."
Sources:1. Los Angeles Times2. Care23. Change.org4. Huffington Post5. Los Angeles Animal Services6. Asian Elephant Support Foundation
- The ongoing lawsuit over the future of Billy and Tina, the aging elephants, has drawn attention to California's political landscape, with Mayor Karen Bass urged to take action.
- In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health of these elephants has become a significant issue in Los Angeles, prompting concerns from animal rights activists and pet lovers alike.
- As the legal battle continues, the dispute has also raised questions about the role of law and politics in the management of public institutions, such as zoos and sanctuaries.
- Additionally, the case has brought the lifestyle and living conditions of these two elephants into focus, with debates about their home-and-garden environment and the care they receive.
- The editorial section has weighed in on the issue, with opinion pieces discussing the ethics of transferring old elephants and the importance of treating animals humanely.
- Meanwhile, the crime-and-justice angle has not been completely absent, with allegations of transparency issues and questionable decision-making process in the transfer of Billy and Tina.
