Elephants Do Not Belong In Zoos

A Brief History of Elephants in Captivity

Zoos have long marketed themselves as places of education, entertainment and conservation. But what many visitors fail to realise is that the origins of zoos were anything but ethical. In the 19th century, during the age of European colonial expansion, exotic animals from all over the world—including elephants—were captured and shipped to cities to entertain royalty, dignitaries and eventually, the general public.

One of the earliest records of elephants being placed on public display dates back to the 1800s in Europe. These elephants were taken from the wild, torn from their families and shipped across continents to live in enclosures that were never designed to meet their complex social, emotional, or physical needs.

Despite advancements in zoo designs and animal welfare policies, the underlying truth remains the same—no zoo can replicate the natural range, complexity and social structures that elephants experience in the wild.

A History of Suffering

Time and again, history has shown that elephants in captivity suffer.

Gita, an Asian elephant at the Los Angeles Zoo, collapsed in 2006 and was left without veterinary care for hours. She later died at just 48 years old.

Ruby, another LA Zoo elephant, was transferred back and forth between zoos before dying at the PAWS Sanctuary in 2011. Her mental health had deteriorated after years of separation from her companion.

Tyke, a circus elephant, famously killed her trainer and rampaged through the streets of Honolulu in 1994 before being shot dead by police in a hail of bullets.

Across the world, elephants have been known to lash out in frustration, stress, or fear—injuring or killing handlers in captivity.

Such incidents are not anomalies—they are symptoms of a life denied freedom, space and social connection.

Kaavan: A Beacon of Hope

In 2020, the world watched as Kaavan, known as “the world’s loneliest elephant,” was finally freed from his tiny enclosure at the Islamabad Zoo in Pakistan after a global campaign led by Cher and Free The Wild.

Kaavan's girlfriend, Saheli, lay dead in their enclosure for days

Kaavan had spent 35 years in isolation, showing clear signs of psychological trauma. Yet, after a complex relocation effort to the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary, Kaavan now thrives. He roams hundreds of acres of natural habitat, forages freely, bathes in ponds and engages with other elephants—living proof that sanctuary changes lives.

Billy and Tina: Time Is Running Out

At the Los Angeles Zoo, two elephants—Billy and Tina—continue to wait for their chance at freedom.

Billy, 40 years old, has spent nearly four decades in solitary confinement, displaying obsessive head-bobbing behaviours that signal deep psychological distress. His recurring foot problems, a leading cause of death among captive elephants, have gone largely unresolved.

Tina, 59 years old, suffers from osteoporosis and joint disease, ailments made worse by standing on hard surfaces and the lack of movement afforded by captivity.

These elephants deserve more. They deserve space, freedom and the right to choose their own path, just like Kaavan.

Sanctuary Options Are Waiting

The argument is no longer where they can go—but when.

Globally recognised sanctuaries are prepared and fully capable of offering Billy and Tina a true sanctuary life:

• The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee

• Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) in California

• Global Sanctuary for Elephants in Brazil

• Elephant Haven in France

• Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary

All of these facilities offer hundreds, sometimes thousands, of acres for elephants to roam naturally—far beyond what any zoo can provide.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage - a sanctuary in Sri Lanka

The Tulsa Zoo Is Not the Answer

Despite public backlash, the Los Angeles Zoo plans to move Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma, which has recently expanded its elephant exhibit, dubbing it the "Elephant Preserve."

But make no mistake—this is not a preserve in any true sense of the word. It is a 10-acre zoo enclosure, shared by five other elephants, still confined behind barriers and on display to the public.

Tulsa Zoo has faced years of criticism, including:

• Allegations of poor elephant welfare

• Lack of transparency in care and management practices

• The ethical question of whether adding more elephants to an already crowded exhibit serves conservation—or merely entertainment.

In contrast, sanctuaries offer choice, freedom and dignity—the very things Tulsa Zoo cannot.

Speak Up for Billy and Tina

The decision lies in the hands of city officials and zoo administrators, but the voices of the public have power.

You can help by contacting the Mayor of Los Angeles to demand that Billy and Tina be relocated to a legitimate sanctuary, not another zoo. Use this link to send your message today:

bit.ly/contactmayorbass

Here’s an example message to send: --------------------------------------------

Dear Mayor,

Billy and Tina are innocent and highly-intelligent creatures that have been kept behind steel and concrete for their entire lives. Billy is 40 and Tina is 60 years old.

They have served their zoo owners long enough and I, as a member of the general public, agree that elephants no longer have a place in public entertainment or education.

Please see to it that the move from LA Zoo to Tulsa Zoo is promptly stopped, and that Billy and Tina are moved to an appropriate sanctuary where they can live out the rest of their lives in peace.

Thank you for your consideration,

Sincerely,

Your Name

--------------------------------------------

Billy and Tina have waited long enough. Let’s make this the moment we speak up for them—and for all captive animals who deserve a life worth living.

Wildlife belongs in the wild. Let’s make sure that’s where they end up.

Thank you for reading.

🧡

FTW

Image credits:

Tulsa Zoo: Nmwalter