The Sound Animal Rights Alliance (SARA), will be protesting outside the Woodland Park Zoo on Friday evening. SARA wants WPZ to halt its elephant breeding program and send its three elephants to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee.
SARA is calling for the Zoo to end its elephant breeding program. Two years ago, six-year old Asian elephant, Hansa, died at the Zoo from an elephant herpes virus. Experts believed she caught the virus from one of the Zoo’s other elephants. Zoo records have now confirmed that its African elephant, Watoto, is infected with the same virus that killed Hansa, EEHV3. There is no cure for herpes so Watoto can infect other vulnerable elephants. Captive Asian elephants under 10 years old are the most likely to get sick and die from these viruses. “Woodland Park Zoo is a herpes-exposed facility,” says Nancy Farnam, SARA’s Director. “Bringing another Asian elephant calf into this infected environment is begging for another tragic death to occur”, she added.
The protest is from 5-6:30 p.m. outside the North Entrance at N. 59th St. and Evanston Ave. N., and SARA invites anyone to join them.
42 responses so far ↓
1 Stupid Hippie // Jul 9, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Free love!
2 Megan the Vegan // Jul 9, 2009 at 4:16 pm
What are they running at the WPZ, a herpes spreading sex slave camp? Free the elephants!
3 Whopper // Jul 9, 2009 at 5:37 pm
What is it about the summer that brings all the crazies out?
4 MonkeyPilot // Jul 9, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Are these the same folks that have been hanging banners from the Aurora overpasses recently?
5 Iron City Mike // Jul 9, 2009 at 7:55 pm
OK seriously, is there ANYTHING people won’t complain about here?
6 Ramon // Jul 9, 2009 at 10:24 pm
No, there is nothing in Seattle that people won’t protest. Fortunately, I don’t think these folks are hurting the zoo’s business any.
7 Coffee:Black // Jul 10, 2009 at 3:07 am
I want to know who the “experts” are who some of these groups use as references. They are always so vague about their details when it comes to backing up their claims. Not to mention that there are two things about this whole thing I do know: One, the disease Hansa died of was a new never before seen strain that did not show up on the medical tests they were running until it was too late (never-before seen, means that no one has seen it in either the wild or in captivity). The other thing I know is that the elephant preserve that most of these groups want to send the animals to in Tennessee is not accredited and the veterinary staff they have there does not specialize in Elephant care.
That is why the zoo will not consider doing what they ask, because they are following AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) guidelines for dealing with matters such as this. There has been an effort to create a real preserve sponsored by the AZA that the zoo may support.
But the bottom line is that groups like this are simply out to get rid of zoos in general by vilifying organizations that are on the same side as they are in terms of raising money for the care and well being of animals both in and out of zoos. If you want the zoo to be able to do something more for the elephants, support them and give money so they can either update the habitat that was left over from before 2004 when the city ran the zoo or support the AZA’s efforts to create an elephant preserve that would actually have doctors there who knew what they were doing when it comes to elephants.
8 Coffee:Black // Jul 10, 2009 at 3:08 am
Sorry, I ramble. But people who latch onto an idea and demonize something without getting all the facts really piss me off. It’s called the internet people, get on it and read.
9 Caroline // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:07 am
Coffee:Black, you are wrong. The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee was accredited by the Association of Sanctuaries which has much higher standards than the zoo industry’s. In addition, one of the veterinarians at the sanctuary is co-author of a definitive veterinary textbook on elephant medicine. Also, the herpes virus that Hansa died from was not “newer”. It is actually much older than the previously identified versions of the virus. The African elephant Watoto is infected with it. There is no cure so any new Asian elephant calf exposed to her will likely die like Hansa. The zoo isn’t perfect. They’ve made a lot of serious mistakes with the elephants. They need to stop this deadly breeding program. They’ve been at it for 17 years and have a 100% mortality rate. Some program!
10 Tahomajim // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:20 am
I talked with a man who works at the zoo, he said there’s a mother who refuses to take her children to the zoo as long as the elephants are there. He said she writes monthly complaining about the elephants.
Not to worry zoo fans, our elephants are not going anywhere. They’re wasting their breath and should be focussing their time gardening or helping seniors. That’s a better use of ones resources.
Even though their agenda is failed and flawed they probably will not go away. They’re part of that 1% of society who seek publicity to recruit members toward PETA and other such organizations.
11 Perry // Jul 10, 2009 at 7:31 am
“a man who works at the zoo” Tahomajim? Uh, that would be you I’m guessing. The animal adovcates’ agenda has not failed. It is the outdated zoo agenda that has failed along with the zoo’s deadly elephant breeding. I’ll never forget Hansa dying a horrible death before her 7th birthday. The zoo is a terrible place for these animals. No space, no freedom, nothing but premature death. WPZ, stop your breeding and let them go!
12 Alyne Fortgang // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:18 am
Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants’ supporters will be at the Zoo’s Jungle Party fund raiser as every donor drives by us and is informed about the plight of Watoto, Chai, and Bamboo at the zoo. The elephants are not “happy and healthy”. The elephants’ medical records, available to the public or from us, reveal the truth.
13 Jakey // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:36 am
With all the homelessness, human hunger, youth-on-youth violent crime, unemployment, foreclosures, and an official H1N1 pandemic we’re not prepared for…and these hippies want to spend all their energies on zoo elephants?!
14 Through the roof // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:44 am
When the animal rights movement protested outside Lark for serving fois gras, business went through the roof.
I hope the protest at Jungle Party tonight has the same effect. I’m writing the zoo a check right now.
15 Karla // Jul 10, 2009 at 8:54 am
ThroughTheRoof, you’re writing a check out to the zoo? Why don’t you just have them withhold that amount from your next zoo paycheck? LOL!
Jakey, I’m afraid humans are beyond help. But elephants are noble creatures who deserve to be helped. Humans shouldn’t be allowed to destroy a superior species like elephants just because they’re bent on self-destruction. Free the elephants!!!!! Sanctuary Now!!!!!
16 Claudine Erlandson // Jul 10, 2009 at 9:09 am
This is from a proud animal liberation activist. Elephants do not belong in zoos because they do not have enough space, period. The breeding program must also stop unless they want to face another tragic death as with Baby Hansa. Wake up people and do what’s right for the animals. We are their voices! Free the Elephants from WPZ JAIL!
17 Gerald L // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:22 am
I don’t think animals as big as elephants belong in an urban zoo. They are migratory creatures and very intelligent. They tend to display neurotic behavior when they’re kept in captivity. I’ve seen the Woodland Park elephants. They all exhibit this behavior. Rocking back and forth, pacing in circles. It’s sad. And if the zoo has this herpes virus, they certainly shouldn’t be doing anymore breeding. What could they possibly be thinking?! Obviously, nothing about a baby elephant’s safety! Shame on the zoo. I think these elephants would be better off at a sanctuary. I’ll be there tonight. Thanks, PhinneyWood Blog, for posting this!
18 Stupid Hippie // Jul 10, 2009 at 10:58 am
“Humans shouldn’t be allowed to destroy a superior species like elephants”
No doubt! Just last week I was talking to a fellow animal lover and noticed she drank water from the same source she cr***ed in. Amazingly stupid!
And hey folks, what about that little water boarding exhibit they’ve built to torture the penguins? When will they close that? Free happy feet!
19 Nancy Pennington // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:01 am
Please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJdcHGORLD
20 Whopper // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:07 am
Bored, rich white people with nothing better to do with their time.
21 LaShonda J // Jul 10, 2009 at 11:26 am
Excuse me, Whopper?! I happen to be African-American and I’m planning to attend this protest. Your racial stereotyping speaks volumes about the offbase, outdated mentality out at the zoo.
22 Whopper // Jul 10, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Bored, rich white people, + LaShonda, with nothing better to do with their time
23 LaShonda J // Jul 10, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Correction. It’s the bored rich white people who are attending the zoo’s fundraiser tonight. They’re throwing money at the zoo under the guise of “conservation”. The rest of us will be OUTSIDE richbitch party demonstrating for the animals. Free at last, free at last! Thank God Almighty, I’m free at last. And now we’re gonna win the elephants’ freedom!
24 Megan the Vegan // Jul 10, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I hear you sister! Freeing elephants is just as important as the civil rights movement! Hanza was the Emmit Til of our time.
25 Jakey // Jul 11, 2009 at 7:56 am
So it’s the morning after. Now that all the “richbitches” hearts and minds have been enlightened by the protest, are all the elephants roaming free? Free as the wind blows?
26 Mariana // Jul 11, 2009 at 10:00 am
As if you cared, Jakey. Judging from your previous post you don’t think anyone but humans deserve any consideration. After all, humans are so superior, they’ve done such a good job of practically destroying the whole planet, including other species. Way to go, Jakey!
27 Whopper // Jul 11, 2009 at 2:56 pm
More evidence that animal lovers are usual civilization haters too….
28 Perry // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:05 pm
And of course your last post, Whopper, shows that zoo apologists are NOT animal lovers. They just like to subjugate the animals so they can look at them for a few seconds twice a year at the zoo and then go home to their caves and eat a roasted animal and spend the weekend having fun wiping all the animal fat from their faces. LOL!!!
29 Whopper // Jul 11, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Yep, just as nature made me. Maybe you don’t believe in evolution too?
30 Allen Nyhuis // Jul 11, 2009 at 6:09 pm
This is crazy that they’d protest this particular zoo! The Woodland Park Zoo is one of the best, and one of the most politically correct, zoos in the nation!
These animal rights folks (SARA, PETA, IDA) have no interest in animal welfare. Their only goal is political — to close down all zoos.
Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor: America’s Best Zoos
31 Perry // Jul 12, 2009 at 7:25 am
Yes, Whopper, “just as nature made you”, a Neanderthal. A true case of suspended evolution.
To Allen Nyhuis, you’re hardly an unbiased voice. You are using the same rhetoric the zoo industry uses to try and demonize people who are genuinely concerned about the real suffering of animals like elephants in zoos. You, like the zoo employees, are making money off of these animals by selling your book. Total prostitutes. Your credibility is ruined by your self-serving agendas.
32 Tahomajim // Jul 12, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Hey Perry, Tahomajim here, I am not, nor have I ever been an employee of the Woodland Park Zoo. I know the zoo because go there 3-4 times a week. I like the zoo. I probably know more about it than any non employee. How ’bout yourself? How often do you go?
You jumped to the wrong conclusion and you’re out of line just like your views on the elephants. Perry, it’s hard seeing where you’re going when you have your head up your butt.
33 Neighbor // Jul 13, 2009 at 10:33 am
This was the funniest comments thread I’ve ever seen. Keep up the ROFLs!
34 Tahomajim // Jul 13, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Megan the Vegan and I do our best. A laugh a minute with MtV & Tj.
35 Perry // Jul 13, 2009 at 4:34 pm
I think you’re the one with headupthebutt-itis. I’m amazed you can get through the turnstiles at the zoo. The fact that you go there 3-4 times a week to look at the neurotic incarcerated animals speaks volumes about you. Living in the past and oblivious to the suffering all around you. A study in total selfish self-absorption.
36 Tahomajim // Jul 13, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Wrong again Perry. To me the zoo is a place of tranquility. Most weekday afternoons I spend around 90 minutes there. I watch, listen, talk with keepers, or other zoo fans. It’s a wonderful place to unwind after my intense day. Hey, it beats happy hour at Ray’s Boathouse.
Obviously Perry we see things differently. Zoo haters are usually conservative Republicans who voted for George Bush. Hang in there, those days will return later this century.
37 Tahomajim // Jul 13, 2009 at 7:11 pm
Perry dear one, wrong again. There are no turnstiles upon entering the zoo, it’s wide open. The turnstiles are for exiting the zoo and they’re large enough for strollers.
I’d like to walk you down Flamingo Road some day. Be prepared…. the zoo keepers make the flamingos stand on one leg for hours! I’m not making this up. If their other foot touches the ground they’re out…. feed ‘em to the tigers! It’s OK to quote me on this.
38 Perry // Jul 15, 2009 at 11:34 am
Tahomajim, you’re really not worth quoting. All you talk about is what YOU enjoy with no thought to what it’s like for the animals who pace back and forth, rock or exhibit increased aggression from being imprisoned in a small exhibit their whole life. If that brings you tranquillity, it shows how callous you are. And, of course, that’s what zoo lovers are; selfish and callous. Not that it’s any of your business, but I voted for Obama. So even your ignorant stereotypes are off base.
39 Whopper // Jul 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm
” Not that it’s any of your business, but I voted for Obama. ”
Wow, you must be p***ed now he’s thrown the looney lefties like you overboard; useful idiots that you were until the election.
40 Perry // Jul 16, 2009 at 6:16 am
Whopper, your screen name is no joke. You’re a whopper of a zoo Neanderthal. Love all the stereotyping you IQ-challenged engage in. Neither am I a “leftie”. Now, getting back to the topic at hand, FREE THE ELEPHANTS!!!!
41 Whopper // Jul 16, 2009 at 8:45 am
“FREE THE ELEPHANTS!!!!”
How’s that going btw?
42 Perry // Jul 17, 2009 at 11:16 am
Just great, Whopper! Stay tuned!
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