Patty is the last elephant left at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. There used to be a whole group of elephants, but then Grumpy died in a fight, Maxine passed away in 2018, and Happy was euthanized a few months ago. And now, it's just Patty. She's 57 years old and could live out her last years on Earth alone.
Luckily, the Bronx Zoo is now considering sending Patty to a reputable sanctuary where she can have community and large open spaces to roam around. It hasn't made a final decision yet, so we must encourage it to follow through and let Patty spend the rest of her life in freedom!Experts say that it is deeply harmful for elephants - especially female elephants - to be kept alone in captivity. These deeply social, intelligent animals are used to living in matriarchal herds. In fact, the U.S. Association of Zoos and Aquariums typically requires zoos with elephants to have at least three females together.
Many large zoos in the U.S. are starting to realize
the damage that small, lonely spaces can inflict on animals like elephants, and are shutting down their elephant exhibits and rehoming the animals in sanctuaries instead. For example, the Los Angeles Zoo and the Oakland Zoo no longer hold elephants captive. Even the NYC Bronx Zoo decided to stop buying or otherwise acquiring any additional elephants. That was 20 years ago, and now it's time to do right by Patty. She cannot be left to wither away alone.
Patty has lived her life providing amusement and entertainment to untold numbers of visitors who were amazed by her curiosity and majesty. She is still in good health, so now is the time to move her and give her a chance at new experiences, while she can still enjoy it.
The Bronx Zoo must now do what is best for Patty. She must be allowed to live out her life in peace at a reputable sanctuary. Sign the petition! 