Don’t Let Them Forget Queenie

This article was originally posted at HelpanElephant.com on April 30, 2010. Well, Queenie went to the San Antonio Zoo last week. It wasn’t a pleasure trip. Instead, she had to get up in the middle of the night to be transferred under cover of darkness. That’s the way they do things. No witnesses, no protesters, just a new elephant at the zoo in the morning. And a new elephant it is. Welcome, Boo. Yes, the zoo is calling her Boo. She probably doesn’t mind. She’s been known by both names for years. It’s convenient for the zoo though. The protesters have all been trying to save Queenie. Don’t send Queenie to that zoo. Well, there’s no Queenie there. And it’s working. An online article in the San Antonio media was followed by several comments from elephant advocates who were still trying to save Queenie. Then there was a comment from a typical resident who knows nothing of the controversy. She wrote of looking forward to seeing Boo, and then she asked, “Who’s Queenie?” Well, not everyone will forget Queenie that easily. Since we learned of her transfer, Queenie’s supporters have been busy calling the Secretary of Agriculture, the USDA’s Animal Care Division, sending emails to the USDA’s liaison to the White House, and we’ve even called the White House comment line. Now in response to all the uproar, it appears that the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry is considering holding a meeting about Queenie and the USDA’s decision regarding her placement. This is good news. Let’s make the most of it. The committee chairs need to know Queenie’s side of the story. That means it’s time for more letters. You can send snail mail letters, but know that they will be delayed because of all the security the mail goes through now before being delivered to our legislators. Always include your email address in your letter for a response. A quicker solution is to submit your letter using the comment form that each senator maintains on their websites. That’s what I did. You can write one letter, but please send it to each senator so they have their own copy. Send to the following: U.S. Senate Committee On Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Attn: Chairman Blanche Lincoln 328A Senate Russell Office Bldg. Washington, D. C. 20510 Email Chairman Lincoln: click here. And also to: U.S. Senate Committee On Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Attn: Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss 328A Senate Russell Office Bldg. Washington, D. C. 20510 Email Senator Chambliss: click here. Oh, and write to the President of the United States too. The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 Email President Obama: click here Call Comment Line: 202-456-1111

Can This Elephant Be Saved?

This article was originally posted at HelpanElephant.com on April 21, 2010.

The decision has been made, paper work has been signed, and the judge has agreed to the plan. Queenie must be delivered to the San Antonio Zoo no later than Monday, April 26. Done deal, right? Maybe not. Tens of thousands of people just like you and me have voiced their opposition to this action. We’ve called Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, sent emails and faxes to his office, signed petitions and encouraged our friends to join us. The animal activists who worked on arranging Queenie’s transfer to a sanctuary haven’t given up. They’re still hard at work exploring every avenue to have this agreement rescinded. In Defense of Animals sent a letter to Sec’y Vilsack, clearly explaining why Queenie should not be sent to this zoo. Pat Derby, Director of PAWS, the Performing Animal Welfare Society, has written a letter to the USDA reminding them of her formal offer to accept Queenie. The original offer was made six months ago, describing the facilities and level of care that would be provided to Queenie. The elephants currently residing there roam over peaceful hillsides and valleys, enjoying the varied terrain that builds strength and stamina while healing foot conditions that are common in confined zoo enclosures. They are not put on display or expected to perform for the public. Now, even higher profile voices have entered the discussion. Bob Barker, Emmy award winning television host, is speaking out, asking that the situation be corrected. He had this to say:

"Secretary Vilsack, Queenie has already suffered at the hands of humans. She has endured a lifetime of captivity in traveling shows. You have a unique opportunity to do the right thing for this beautiful animal. Please send her to the PAWS sanctuary to live out her sunset years. And my pledge to you is that it won't cost the United States government a penny."

Joyce Poole, the noted elephant expert and Director of Elephant Voices, also weighed in on the needs of elephants. In a letter she reminded the Secretary of the USDA’s mandate to enforce the Animal Welfare Act, which is intended to protect animals from inhumane treatment and conditions. She pointed out that the choice is between a facility designed for the long term care and rehabilitation of elephants or a zoo that has been described as one of the worst places for elephants. Will Secretary Vilsack listen to these people who know about the needs of elephants? Or is he listening to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums? They’ve done nothing to monitor circuses for abuse. They’ve done nothing to protect elephants and other animals forced to perform for abusive and neglectful owners. The AZA wants to acquire more elephants to stock their zoos. There is no conservation in taking in an older elephant. They want her for entertainment value. It’s vital for Queenie’s health that she be allowed to retire to a sanctuary. PAWS had an agreement in place before the USDA intervened. Please continue to call the USDA at 202-720-3631, send a fax to 202-720-2166, email them at agsec@usda.gov. Sign the petition. Tell a friend about Queenie and ask them to contact the USDA and Sec’y Vilsack. Do it today. Do it right now. Let’s melt the phone lines, wear out the fax machine and flood his inbox. Can this elephant be saved? I have to believe the answer is “Yes”.

Queenie’s Retirement at Risk

This article was originally posted at HelpanElephant.com on April 18, 2010.

In June, 2009, I had the honor to meet three lovely ladies named Tina, Jewel and Queenie. They’re Asian Elephants, and they came to town to perform with the Shrine Circus. The photo at left is Queenie, who was being used for rides before the show and during intermission.As it turns out, that weekend was the last time Tina, Jewel and Queenie performed in the circus. In fact, Tina and Jewel now live at San Diego Zoo where they are getting on very well. Queenie still lives in Texas with her trainer, even though he is no longer licensed. He’s facing fines and possible jail time due to numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act. We’ve spent nearly a year trying to have Queenie sent to a sanctuary for a proper retirement. PAWS, the Performing Animal Welfare Society, made a formal offer to the USDA to provide her with lifetime care. Unfortunately the USDA has other ideas. They have forced Queenie’s owner, Will Davenport, to turn her over to the San Antonio Zoo. This is unacceptable. The San Antonio Zoo has a lone Asian elephant, the unfortunately named Lucky, in a barren, half acre enclosure. This is too small for one elephant, much less two. The hard packed dirt and lack of room for exercise causes foot problems and arthritis, and the gunite (fake rock) wall behind the exhibit retains and radiates heat, making the area even more uncomfortable. Lucky has had difficulty accepting new elephants into this small space. Queenie has also had problems meeting new elephants. Putting them together with nowhere to get away from each other is a recipe for trouble. The director of the zoo, Steve McCusker, has plans to remodel the area into an exhibit for African animals. That means that Lucky and Queenie would be sent away, the remodeling would take place, and then new, African elephants would move in. Where would Lucky and Queenie go? No one seems to know. On the other hand, if Queenie went to PAWS, she would have 40 acres of varied natural terrain to roam with four other Asian elephants. If she had any problems adjusting to her new roommates, there is plenty of space for them to get away from other. She would not be on display, not have to work, and this would be her home for the rest of her life. I believe that the USDA’s decision is the wrong one. Queenie should go to PAWS. If you agree, please contact Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack by phone at 202-720-3631 and tell him that there is a better choice. Ask him to send Queenie to PAWS. Then, please follow up with an email to him at AgSec@usda.gov Queenie could be moved at any time. Please call right away. For more information, see PAWS or the IDA Blog