L.A. council halts work on zoo's new elephant exhibit

The Los Angeles City Council has put the brakes on construction of a $42-million elephant exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo. The project isn't completely dead, but construction of the partially built Pachyderm Forest is now halted. As The Times' Carla Hall writes:

The project seemed headed for extinction but for an 11th-hour proposal from the zoo's fundraising arm, the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn., which offered to contribute millions of dollars more to pay for the new habitat.

Among those attending the council debate on the issue Wednesday -- along with actress Lily Tomlin -- was Bettina Rosmarino, above, of Compassion for Animals. Her T-shirt makes reference to the zoo's sole elephant, named Billy.

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-- Steve Padilla

Photo credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times