IDA Urges USDA to Investigate Death of Elephant Dondi

Dondi is an Asian elephant who spent her summers at Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Mass. giving rides and performances in a tiny, inadequate pen. During the winter, she was forced to perform and give rides at places like Flea World, a giant flea market and amusement park. Dondi died unexpectedly, raising a red flag as she was only 36 years old and should have been in her prime. IDA is asking the USDA to investigate her death and is urging the zoo to permanently end the display of elephants.

Read IDA's letter to the USDA.

Read IDA's letter to the Southwick's Zoo.

Read IDA's press release.

Discuss on IDA's Elephant Blog and take action.

Stop the Use of Cruel Bullhooks on Elephants

The recent attack by a young African elephant on his keeper at the Toledo Zoo has reignited the controversy over the use circus-style training and cruel bullhooks to manage elephants. We need your help to convince the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to protect elephants and humans by producing a policy statement that says this unsafe and inhumane training method is a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.

Read more and take action.

Victory! Sacramento Passes Ordinance to Protect Performing Animals

The Sacramento City Council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment that provides greater protection for animals used in traveling exhibitions such as circuses and rodeos. Presented by Councilmember Sandy Sheedy, the amendment establishes an application and permit process for traveling animal exhibitors and empowers Sacramento animal control officers to perform unannounced inspections to insure the humane care and treatment of performing animals.

Read more on IDA's Elephant Blog.

Help Nosey Escape a Life of Misery in the Circus

Nosey is a 28-year-old elephant born in Zimbabwe who has endured a life of hardship, solitude and abuse with Hugo Liebel and the Liebel Family Circus. The USDA has repeatedly cited Liebel for violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including lack of adequate veterinary care, safe handling violations, and more. IDA is calling on the USDA to confiscate Nosey and send her to a sanctuary.

Read more and take action to help Nosey.

Read IDA's letter to the USDA.

International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos is a Mammoth Success!

This year’s International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos was a huge success, featuring events in 34 cities in 7 countries and our first-ever virtual protest that used social networking technology to circulate nearly 10,000 messages about how elephants suffer and die prematurely in zoos. Thanks to dedicated elephant advocates who participated in person and on-line, and to celebrity supporters like Lily Tomlin and Steve Guttenberg, the event was bigger and better than ever.

Read more on our Elephant Blog.

IDA Urges Senate Agriculture Committee to investigate USDA role in Queenie to San Antonio Zoo

After a lifetime of abuse in the circus industry, and over the objections of IDA, elephant experts, and thousands of caring citizens, the USDA orchestrated Queenie's transfer to the San Antonio Zoo as part of a settlement agreement with her abusive circus handler. IDA sent a letter to the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, which oversees the USDA, urging a full investigation into the USDA's role in the move.

Read more and take action.

IDA Urges Central Florida Zoo to send Maude to a Sanctuary

In Defense of Animals (IDA) sent a letter to Central Florida Zoo CEO Joe Montisano, urging him to retire the zoo's sole Asian elephant Maude to a spacious, natural habitat sanctuary. The call follows the death of Mary this week at age 63. In the past the zoo has indicated that when one of the elephants died, it would consider relocating the other.

Read IDA's letter to the zoo. - Read IDA's press release.