Alert
STATEMENT BY LILY TOMLIN IN SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR ELEPHANTS IN ZOOS
Elephants were never meant to live in the confinement of small urban zoos, where they are suffering terribly every day. That's why I'm urging everyone to get involved in the first International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos on June 20th and help bring about the mammoth changes that elephants so desperately need.
My desire to help and inform the public about the plight of elephants in zoos resulted from reading and educating myself about the complex needs of elephants. I began to realize that zoos cannot meet those needs and they could never meet those needs, simply for lack of space.
Elephants are the world's largest land mammals and they need large, natural areas and movement to stay healthy. Yet zoos confine them to tiny exhibits where they develop painful foot infections and arthritis that often lead to an early death. Several major zoos around the country have already closed their elephant exhibits because they know they do not work, and they create nothing but suffering for these creatures.
I don't think anyone in their right mind would think a zoo display provides enough space for these giants of the earth. But if the public is informed, they will raise an outcry and demand change. It's time to stop the destructive practice of keeping elephants in zoos.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Take the Pledge
- Learn More
- Participate in the International Day of Action
- Join IDA's Elephant Task Force
Take the Pledge
Elephants are amazing animals with high intelligence, emotional complexity and long life spans. I pledge to respect elephants by supporting efforts to preserve and protect their natural habitats and by declining to patronize zoos and circuses that subject elephants to cruel training practices and confine them in cramped and unnatural conditions that cause suffering and premature death.