Exploited in Captivity One Elephant's Story
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Exploited in captivity One elephant’sstory In 1968, my husband Bill Travers and I were in Kenya making a film he had co-written with James Hill (Director of ‘Born Free’). During the making of the film we got to know and love a little two-year old elephant, Pole Pole (‘Poley Poley’), who had already been captured from the wild as a gift to London Zoo. We were, tragically, unable to prevent this happening and she came to London, eventually being destroyed there in 1983. A teenager. The remorse and sadness felt by Bill and myself was indescribable and we decided her untimely death must have a purpose. In fact, it laid the foundation stone for our wildlife charity, Zoo Check, which became the Born Free Foundation. It was in 1987 that Bill wrote a chapter for a book ‘Beyond the Bars’, published by Thorsons. It is Pole Pole’s story. In her 1968: With Pole Pole in Kenya memory, and to mark more than 25 years of our work for animals, we wanted to share ‘Inadmissible Evidence’ with you. At a time when the lives of elephants, both in the wild and in captivity, continue to be threatened and vulnerable, their voices desperately need to be heard once more. Virginia McKenna OBE Born Free Founder 1982: Years later at London Zoo, Pole Pole still remembered Virginia and Bill Contents Pg 3 Elephant in the Room: introduction to captivity Pg 6 Action for Elephants: current Born Free campaigns Pg 9 ‘Inadmissible Evidence’ by Bill Travers Pg 24 Elephant Tales: other individual stories Pg 27 Get involved with Born Free Elephant in the Room: Elephants in zoos introduction to captivity • Many zoo elephants display abnormal behaviours, repeatedly swaying, rocking and Elephants are extraordinary. These highly intelligent shaking their heads. creatures live in close-bonded family groups, display a • Infanticide, Herpes virus, tuberculosis, lameness range of emotions and communicate with complex and infertility are prevalent in elephants in zoos. vocalisations. Sentient and showing self-awareness, they • The average life span for a zoo-born African can make and use tools and plan ahead. Elephants have elephant is 16.9 years, compared to 56 years for intricate social lives, remarkable memories and a defined one born in the wild. culture passed down through generations. Sick family • Zoos still take elephants from the wild in members are cared for and dead relatives appear to be attempts to bolster failing captive breeding mourned. programmes. • Breeding rates in zoos may be 10 times lower Tragically elephants face many threats … in the wild from than those in the wild1. ivory poachers and habitat destruction; and in captivity • More than 500 elephants are currently held in from neglect, abuse, boredom and frustration. Humans European zoos, with 70 in the UK. have actively exploited elephants for centuries. These • One fifth of elephants in European zoos are kept immense, sensitive animals have been used and abused: alone or with only one companion2. 1RSPCA: Live Fast, Die Young for ivory tusks 2Rees P (2009). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science 12 for ‘sport’ hunting as instruments of war as beasts of burden, moving men and heavy loads for ceremonial purposes by the logging industry for films, television and advertising for ‘entertainment’ in zoos and circuses Today, throughout the world, thousands of elephants and millions of other animals are used in zoos, circuses, magic shows, animal rides and tourists’ photos. Since 1984 Born Free has worked to stop captive animal suffering and expose the plight of captive elephants and other animals. Elephants do particularly badly in captivity and suffer physical and psychological disorders, high infant mortality and reduced longevity. These complex creatures are entirely unsuited to zoos. Yet in the last few years literally dozens of wild elephants have been captured for zoos and Exploited in captivity circuses, or traded between governments as ‘diplomatic gifts’. Forced to Trading in misery perform for our It is illegal under CITES* to commercially trade in ‘entertainment’ wild elephants which are listed on Appendix I. However, zoos are classified as ‘non-commercial’ and can import wild-caught elephants and lock them up for life by claiming to be committed to ‘education’ or ‘conservation’. Furthermore, elephants can be legally traded as ‘diplomatic gifts’ if this is supported by both countries’ governments. This was how Pole Pole was shipped to London Zoo in 1968 and the loophole is still exploited today. *Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. CITES regulates trade in threatened animals and plants. 3 Fighting trade The Borneo Elephants Born Free fights the barbaric live trade and In 2003 Born Free successfully campaigned to stop supports positive alternatives such as the Elephant 12 wild pygmy elephants captured from forests in Transit Home in Sri Lanka. The Home cares for Borneo being sent to zoos in Japan and China. rescued orphan elephants and returns them to the Five were returned to the wild but unfortunately wild when they are ready, elephants who might six remain in a Sabah zoo. Sadly one other otherwise be used as diplomatic gifts or sold to elephant died. Born Free’s campaign to end the zoos. capture and trading of wild elephants for zoos and circuses continues. Orphan elephants will return to the wild when ready Performing elephants London Zoo Circuses and animal shows force elephants to stand on In 2003 pressure from the public and Born Free their heads, walk tightropes, balance on two legs and helped end 172 years of keeping elephants in even roller-skate. London Zoo. During these years the Zoo never Elephants may be trained to perform demeaning tricks returned an elephant to the wild, and 85% of with whips, sticks, metal hooks and electric prods. elephants died before the age of 21 years Circus elephants can travel thousands of miles each year (lifespan in the wild 56 years). Only one elephant kept in cramped ‘beast wagons’. birth was ever recorded, a male calf in 1902 Many circus elephants were taken from the wild, often (stillborn). Born Free’s campaign to make the UK bought from dealers after culls. an elephant-free zone continues. Bringing a 172-year era of exploitation to an end Born Free remains determined to end the senseless exploitation of elephants and other captive animals. We continue to expose suffering, rescue individuals, lobby to change legislation and campaign to raise public awareness and bring about reform. We continue our efforts to prevent the exploitation of elephants and all animals in advertising, television and films. 4 “It makes you sick to the stomach to think that people can Travellers’ Animal Alert treat elephants with such cruelty. How dare we steal Born Free’s Travellers Animal Alert campaign animals from the wild and pretend we are doing them a investigates and tackles captive wild animal favour? How dare we ‘train’ and dominate magnificent, exploitation worldwide. The campaign responds fascinating elephants, to become money-making to reports from tourists and travel companies and attractions in zoos and circuses? How dare we call encourages compassionate and responsible ourselves a caring, civilised society?” tourism. Send your report of animal suffering to Virginia McKenna OBE, Born Free Founder and Trustee bornfree.org.uk or 01403 240170. Maggie’s story Maggie the elephant, caught from the wild in Zimbabwe, lived at Alaska zoo for 24 years. She was kept alone since 1997. In winter temperatures dropped to -7˚C and she spent ‘How dare we train and dominate them’ months shut inside her concrete and steel enclosure. Following a campaign by Born Free and campaigners worldwide, in 2007 Maggie was sent to a new life and 75 acres of pasture and woodland at PAWS* sanctuary in California. Here she has bonded with other elephants. *Performing Animal Welfare Society New life in California 5 Action for Elephants: Wild animals in circuses: In 2010 the Labour and the Liberal Democrat Parties announced their unequivocal current Born Free campaigns commitment to banning wild animals from circuses in England. More than 94% of the public want a ban. General Valli: Ongoing campaign to seek suitable retirement for Born Free is tackling ongoing worldwide captive Valli, the lone Asian elephant kept at Skanda Vale issues including: Monastery, a temple in Wales. Capture and import of wild elephants into captivity International transfer of elephants between zoos Spain Permanent capture of elephants as perceived solution to Susi: Born Free works with Spanish organisations calling to Human/Elephant Conflict eg crop damage rehome this Asian elephant in Barcelona Zoo. Sadly The use of elephants in circuses another elephant Yoyo has been brought in although they Religious use of elephants such as temples and perahera are kept in separate concrete enclosures. Our campaign pageants/festivals continues. Finding humane alternatives to chaining elephants Humane solutions for captive bull management in zoos The plight of elephants kept alone or in pairs in zoos Elephant riding, elephant-back safaris, elephant ‘polo’ Specific projects UK Great British Circus: toured with three performing elephants in 2009. Following a campaign by Born Free and other organisations the elephants are no longer with the circus, and the situation is being monitored. Susi stretches to reach plants outside her concrete enclosure Wild-caught import: In 2008 six elephants were The Great British Circus 2009 imported from Namibia to Spain for ‘breeding in captivity’. Our campaign to end the wild-capture of calves for captive Anne: Bobby Roberts Super Circus’s lone Asian elephant, facilities continues. Anne, is currently the only elephant touring with a UK circus. Born Free is seeking her retirement. See her full Belgium story p26. Wild-caught imports: four elephants were imported to Belgium from Zimbabwe (two in 2007, two in 2008) and two from Nambia (one in 2007, one in 2008); all for ‘circuses and travelling exhibitions’.