@365367368 I don't think it is or was sad in either place. There was or is no abuse or neglect. It's just that at the ICC the conditions, especially the lack of a pool for the elephants to bathe in, are not ideal. At the Philadelphia Zoo, the elephants had less space, but they had so much more, including a large pool, access to fresh running water at all times, and the kind of expert, loving keeper care that makes up for other things that might be lacking.
Elephant experts as well as AZA advise against keeping the two species of elephants together. They have different dietary, habitat, and enrichment needs. Also, they have different languages and behaviors, making communication hard for elephants kept with the other species of elephant. African elephants are sometimes mire aggressive than Asian elephants.
@ZooVisitorMM I think it is true that the elephants did get some medical care and enough to eat and drink. But I stand firm with my belief that elephants truly belong in the wild, not in captivity. Wrenching calves from their mothers and families to be put in zoos is quite sad, indeed. Elephants are social animals and very family oriented. Although zoo elephants have keepers, they need their mothers and other relatives. Since elephants are in captivity, we need to give them more natural homes.
Thought it was good that the elephants were going to be free from their prison...turns out it's just as sad in Pittsburgh.
365367368 1 year ago
@365367368 I don't think it is or was sad in either place. There was or is no abuse or neglect. It's just that at the ICC the conditions, especially the lack of a pool for the elephants to bathe in, are not ideal. At the Philadelphia Zoo, the elephants had less space, but they had so much more, including a large pool, access to fresh running water at all times, and the kind of expert, loving keeper care that makes up for other things that might be lacking.
ZooVisitorMM 1 year ago
Elephant experts as well as AZA advise against keeping the two species of elephants together. They have different dietary, habitat, and enrichment needs. Also, they have different languages and behaviors, making communication hard for elephants kept with the other species of elephant. African elephants are sometimes mire aggressive than Asian elephants.
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
AZA actually advises against keeping Asian elephants and African elephants together.
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
Bette is a gorgeous animal! It's a shame that she did not move to PAWS or the Elephant Sanctuary, though.
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
@awesomeH2O Well, I disagree about that. I am sure PAWS would provide a wonderful home. And I know Dulary has a good home at the Elephant Sanctuary.
But the elephants had a wonderful home at the Philadelphia Zoo, too. And that is where I believe they should be.
ZooVisitorMM 1 year ago
@ZooVisitorMM I think it is true that the elephants did get some medical care and enough to eat and drink. But I stand firm with my belief that elephants truly belong in the wild, not in captivity. Wrenching calves from their mothers and families to be put in zoos is quite sad, indeed. Elephants are social animals and very family oriented. Although zoo elephants have keepers, they need their mothers and other relatives. Since elephants are in captivity, we need to give them more natural homes.
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
@ZooVisitorMM I have seen videos posted by many people. Never once have I forgotten to notice how beautiful these elephants are. Wow...
awesomeH2O 1 year ago
@awesomeH2O Yes - we definitely agree on this.
ZooVisitorMM 1 year ago
@awesomeH2O Yes, we definitely disagree on this, too.
ZooVisitorMM 1 year ago