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.

Special Event: Elephant Conference at the PAWS Sanctuary

On March 25-27th, PAWS will present the "Summit for the Elephants" conference at its 2300-acre captive wildlife sanctuary in San Andreas, California. Join elephant advocates and others at this informative event that features panels on a variety circus and zoo issues. Speakers include IDA Elephant Campaign Director Catherine Doyle and Captive Elephant Specialist Deborah Robinson. If you want to help elephants, don't miss this powerful conference!

Read more.

Stop the Slaughter of Elephants for Ivory

In March 13, 2010, delegates from 175 countries will come together for the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They will consider petitions from Tanzania and Zambia to sell more than one hundred thousand kilograms of elephant ivory and to decrease protections for elephants in those countries. We need your help to ensure the U.S. delegation votes against these dangerous proposals that will lead to the widespread slaughter of elephants. Read more.

Talk about it on IDA's Elephant Blog.

Save baby elephants from the danger and misery of circus life

Nothing is more heartless than tearing a wailing baby elephant away from his or her mother for the sole purpose of "entertainment." But that’s what happens in circuses, where still-nursing calves less than two years old are violently separated from their mothers, subjected to cruel confinement and training, and sentenced to a lifetime of misery. The babies are particularly susceptible to illness and injury from the stresses of circus life. Ask the USDA and the White House to keep baby elephants safe and away from the circus.

For full alert, click here

Queenie Still Needs Your Help! Please Urge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Take Immediate Action to Protect Endangered Elephant

You will remember that the elephant Queenie, or Boo, was left behind with abusive circus trainer Will Davenport in August as her companions Tina and Jewel were taken by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and sent to the San Diego Zoo for badly needed medical care. All three elephants were victims of Davenport’s negligence and inhumane care, but the agency claimed to only have grounds for taking the two. We cannot forget the last image we have of Queenie, tied to a tree and bellowing, as the truck holding her companions pulled away, leaving her to an uncertain future.

For full alert, click here

New IDA survey shows scores of elephants spend winters warehoused in cruel conditions

IDA released an unprecedented survey showing that scores of elephants are being held in zoos in cold climates, where the elephants will be confined indoors for the vast majority of each day during the winter. Cold weather drastically increases the suffering that elephants already endure in zoos.

Read the survey report here. ---- Read the press release here.