Four elephants have died prematurely in less than four years at the
Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada. "Elephants at the Toronto Zoo are dying at an unprecedented rate," said IDA captive elephant specialist Catherine Doyle. "The
Toronto Zoo and the Board of Management can no longer ignore the mounting death toll or scientific evidence of the devastating effects of captivity on elephants.
The exhibit must be shut down now before more elephants die." Tara, age 41, died suddenly in November, leaving only three elephants and bringing the Zoo to a crossroads in an elephant program that has seen its elephants all die prematurely. The four elephants who died since 2006 ranged from 38 to 41 years, an age at which elephants are considered to be in their prime. The Zoo's own web site claims elephants have "a potential lifespan of 55 to 70 years."
The
Toronto Zoo lacks the space and natural conditions necessary for elephants to live healthier and longer lives. Cold weather compounds the problem, as elephants are
forced indoors into tiny cages for the majority of long, freezing winters, greatly restricting movement necessary to good health. IDA stressed that even if the zoo authorities splurge on animal care and space renovations, the poor conditions and the cold temperature force elephants to stay indoors in tiny spaces.
IDA recommended for the Toronto Zoo to
permanently shutter its elephant display.
IDA's 2009 Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants List:
San Antonio Zoo (Texas)
Toronto Zoo (Canada)Honolulu Zoo (Hawaii)
Reid Park Zoo (Arizona)
Houston Zoo (Texas)
Topeka Zoo (Kansas)
Oregon Zoo
Bronx Zoo (New York)
Toledo Zoo (Ohio)
Brookfield Zoo (Illinois)
Please urge The Toronto Zoo to close down it's elephant display untill they make the much needed changes to it.We the undersigned urge you to close down your Elephant display at your zoo. The Toronto zoo cannot properly house Elephants without them dying. This exhibit MUST be shut down before more of these beautiful creatures die. There is no need to make the elephants suffer for the Toronto Zoo's gain.
Elephants should be living untill 70, the elephants in your care are dying very prematurely at ages between 38-41. If your zoo care's about your elephants, you would close down the display and make it more suitable to these creatures.
We will keep protesting your Zoo untill you become more animal friendly.
