Philanthropist offers to fund the relocation of two "ailing" elephants at LA Zoo to a sanctuary
The aging elephants are said to be in grave distress and suffering from severe medical conditions.
Billy the elephant at Los Angeles Zoo. Credit: Los Angeles for Animals
Two “ailing” elephants currently held in captivity at a US zoo may have a second chance at happiness after a philanthropist has dramatically offered to fund their relocation to a reputable sanctuary.
Campaigners say that the two aging elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo, 40-year-old Billy and 58-year-old Tina, have endured decades of suffering. Advocacy group In Defense of Animals (IDA) say the pair are in “grave distress”, and are kept confined in a barren, inadequate enclosure and display “disturbed”, unnatural behavior.
In a sign of hope, a US philanthropist named David Casselman has now made a public offer to organize and fully fund the relocation of Billy and Tina to a sanctuary.
The announcement was made during a rally hosted last week by animal advocacy groups including the Ecoflix Foundation, Casselman’s not-for-profit media group dedicated to saving animals and nature.
As part of the offer, Casselman will arrange the transport logistics, and fully fund not only the relocation itself, but also the lifetime care of the two elephants.
The relocation would see Billy and Tina transported to a lush, spacious refuge in Cambodia known as the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.
Billy the elephant (left) and Tina (right) at Los Angeles Zoo. Credit: Hollywoodcitygal/Instagram (L) and Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles (R)
At the rally, Casselman explained:
“This is no longer a situation where they can complain, “well, we'd have to pay millions of dollars to send them to sanctuary.” No, you don't have to pay anything. Just get out of the way, let us take care of it.”
Los Angeles Zoo, where the pair are held, has previously topped national lists of the “worst” zoos in the US. In addition to living in their inadequate enclosure, both Billy and Tina are said to be suffering from severe medical conditions including foot and joint diseases and chronic arthritis.
The fight to relocate the elephants has been running for more than a decade, including a high-profile lawsuit back in 2007 which included world-renowned elephant expert, Dr. Joyce Poole, testifying that in her 40 years of observing wild elephants she had never seen the abnormal behaviors displayed by Billy and Tina.
Billy trying to forage at Los Angeles Zoo. Credit: Elephant Guardians of Los Angeles
Courtney Scott, Elephant Consultant for In Defense of Animals, are among those who have welcomed Casselman’s offer and urged the City Council to act immediately.
“This is an opportunity to do the right thing. Every day Billy and Tina remain confined in this barren, inadequate enclosure, they suffer,” Scott said in a statement.
“Instead of dying in captivity, they can roam, forage, and begin to heal from decades of suffering in a sanctuary designed to rehabilitate abused Asian elephants in their natural habitat,” Scott added.
Elephants in zoos
Efforts to relocate animals from unnatural captivity to more appropriate sanctuary environments have become more frequent in recent years. This is particularly true for captive elephants, as animal welfare research increasingly shows that zoos cannot provide an adequate life for elephants, who in the wild would roam across vast areas and live in herds with social complex relationships.
Kaavan, who was dubbed the “world’s loneliest” elephant after being held alone with no companion for nearly ten years in a Pakistan zoo, was successfully transferred to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary back in 2020. At his sanctuary home, Kaavan is said to have made a full recovery from his former zoochosis.
Just last month, an elephant in Argentina who has spent nearly all of their life in urban captivity, is finally set to be sent to a sanctuary in Brazil.
We Have A Favor To Ask…
Species Unite amplifies well-researched solutions to some of the most abusive animal industries operating today.
At this crucial moment, with worldwide momentum for change building, it’s vital we share these animal-free solutions with the world - and we need your help.
We’re a nonprofit, and so to keep sharing these solutions, we’re relying on you - with your support, we can continue our essential work in growing a powerful community of animal advocates this year.
