Their history in brief: Sophie and Babe were both taken from the wild at an age where elephants still need their mothers. They were sold to Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus and into a life of slavery and horrors beyond comprehension. They were beaten into submission, made to perform painful and unnatural tricks. When not in the ring....they were made to stand on cold cement floors, in one line, along side 16 other elephants, chained so tightly that they could barely move. As a result, they both developed chronic and painful arthritis, foot infections, and any movement, at any given time, could be considered a sign of aggression and they were beaten for it with bullhooks by handlers with virtually no training in elephant care. We encourage you to request the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus violations during Sophie and Babe's tenure,1974-2003 , from the USDA...it is public information.
In Defence of Animals (IDA) has named Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Ill., as No. 5 on the organization's list of the 10 worst zoos for elephants in 2011. They go on to say that "Niabi Zoo's Asian elephants Babe and Sophie live a painful existence." The elephants have a history of painful chronic foot infections "fostered by their living conditions: a small outdoor yard and an unbelievably tiny barn into which the elephants are crammed during the long, freezing winters." Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley Illinois is NO place for elephants and due to their substandard conditions, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) took away their accreditation in July of 2012. By Niabi's own admission, it will take up to 5 million dollars and 2 years to rebuild the elephant exhibit. They do not have that kind of funding nor can Sophie and Babe wait that long for help to come.
From the day Sophie and Babe arrived on our shores they have lived a life of torture and misery. Haven't they paid enough? They have endured a life of misery for someone else's moment of pleasure and greed. Currently, year 2012, Sophie who originally was taken from her family in India, and Babe, who was taken from Burma, are both 43 years old. They have lived the history of the circus in its most inhumane moments. They deserve better from all of us, they deserve to live their remaining days in a sanctuary, free from man's cruelty and ignorance and selfishness. We can't, most unfortunately, change their past, but together, we can impact their future.
Would it be possible for us to unite in offering these two gentle giants the chance for a little peace and love before they are off this planet? Please sign and share this petition to end Sophie and Babe's suffering, and to prevail in having them transferred to a sanctuary for their remaining days on earth. It is the very least we could do..
Thank You. Marilyn Coussoule, cofounder of Wildlife Guardian Group
