City Council votes to keep Billy the elephant at the L.A. Zoo

Billy the elephant will remain at the L.A. Zoo, the L.A. City Council decided today in an 11-4 vote. 

The decision means that construction on the zoo's Pachyderm Forest exhibit will continue -- and Billy will take up residence there upon the project's completion.  Our colleague Carla Hall at the L.A. Now blog has the details:

In the packed council chambers, the crowd was emotional and tense, cheering the speakers they approved and booing those they didn't. Opponents of the exhibit marshaled celebrities, including Cher, Lily Tomlin and Robert Culp, who called himself not an animal activist but a taxpayer who assailed the money going "to this shameless political boondoggle." Opponents believe the zoo's exhibit cannot fulfill the complex space and social needs of the world's largest land mammal.

Zoo supporters believe the exhibit is world-class. "No disrespect, but if you want to know about a concert, talk to Cher," zookeeper Joshua Sisk told council members. "If you want to know about the zoo, let's talk to professionals at the zoo."

During the hearing, Hall reports that 12,700 cards from citizens requesting that the exhibit move forward were presented to the council.

Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. (GLAZA) president Connie Morgan said she didn't know what caused the council's about-face on this issue (the same group decided to suspend construction just last month), but is elated at the decision. "I hope it's because the true facts came out about the humane care of the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo and the dedicated professionals who work with the animals at the zoo," she said.

Jason Jacobs, director of marketing and public relations at the zoo, says a construction contract will be brought before the Department of Public Works on Monday. If it's approved, work could resume fairly quickly on the Pachyderm Forest.

"I hope construction begins right away," Morgan said.

-- Lindsay Barnett

RELATED:
Jack Hanna announces his support for the L.A. Zoo's controversial elephant exhibit
Conservationist Daphne Sheldrick: Billy the elephant belongs in a sanctuary
Zookeepers to City Council: Let Billy the elephant stay at the zoo
Activists rally for the L.A. Zoo's Pachyderm Forest; Bob Barker donates to the opposition
L.A. City Council set to decide the fate of Billy the elephant

Photo: Bob Barker, who offered $1.5 million to relocate Billy to the PAWS sanctuary, and others (including Cher) react to the City Council's decision to keep the elephant at the zoo. Credit: Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Lynn]

They are wasting this money on a sanctuary because they know that what they had all these years was inadequate. Elephants need space and lakes to bathe and cool themselves in. Not get hosed down periodically with a water hose. Kids going to the zoo would not miss out on anything if elephants were not there. Their parents can take them on an outing to the sanctuary or even watch an edicational nature show about elephants (what a concept). So to use children and their exprience in going to the zoo is a joke. You are teaching kids that it is okay to be cruel to animals if you have the money and power to do so. Take Michael Jackson for instance he had the money so he was able to buy all those poor animals for his own amusement and pleasure.

[Nancy F]

Gee, I thought LA was a more progressive city than it apparently is. Kudos to Tony Cardenas for having the integrity to change his mind and work like a dog to help Billy and stop an elephant exhibit that will never be humane.

It is too bad that not enough of Tony's fellow councilmembers had the same level of integrity as he does. This is not just an example of people who disagreed. They were presented with mountains of testimony and evidence that keeping elephants at the zoo would be inhumane by internationally recognized elephant experts and it just didn't make any difference to them. Shame on them for consigning poor Billy and the proposed female inmates the zoo plans to incarcerate..to a prisoner existence and a premature death. One of the most appalling things I heard today was that veterinarians stated that Billy already has the start of the foot problems that kill zoo elephants. And, again, it made no difference to them at all.

Today was a disgraceful display for the citizens of Los Angeles to witness. Really disgraceful.

[Eli G.]

I applaud the Los Angeles City Council for moving forward with the Pachyderm Forest as planned. I hope this finally puts the issue to rest and there will be no more deals made behind closed doors that result in the suspension of the project. The highly trained professionals at the LA Zoo have dedicated their lives to caring for animals and educating the public about worldwide conservation efforts to save endangered species, such as the Asian elephant. I would rather trust in the words and actions of the professionals hired by the City to care for the animals and manage the zoo than listen to some over zealous celebrity activists any day. Billy will remain at his home with his family while he awaits the arrival of his companions. I will be at the zoo the day the exhibit opens and I will congratulate Zoo Director John Lewis for his amazing work and thank him and his staff for their dedication.

[MissPosh]

Okay, Eli G, you'll be there when the "wonderful" Pachydrem Forest exhibit opens. Yes, you'll be able to see Billy neurotically bobbing his head in a $42 million 3/4 acre of "habitat." How wonderful! Perhaps you'll notice how his feet are "fashionably" deteriorating toward fatal bone infection on your visits. If not, you can always go get a hot dog or some popcorn to while away the time at the zoo.

You also mention the "highly trained professionals at the LA Zoo" . Are these, by any chance, the same ones who let Gita lay in her concrete cell for hours while she died? Or perhaps the same ones who will preside over the deadly Asian elephant breeding program in which 76 percent of those born in zoos are dying before their eighth birthday.

Oh, yes, you are in for some real fun at the new LA Zoo elephant fiasco. Perhaps one of the elephants can collapse and die in front of you to complete your entertainment experience.

[Susie]

TRAGIC decision for Billy, who obviously doesn't matter in the least to these cold-hearted council members.

[Susie]

TRAGIC, selfish decision. Poor Billy. When will you non-thinking humans get it through your thick skulls that Billy is suffering in the zoo?

[Kate]

Caring for animals and caring about animals are two different things. The zoo has cared for Billy by feeding him. They have not cared about him when they kept him isolated from other elephants and in an area too small for him to roam to his hearts content. The only thing the zoo is teaching children is that it's okay to imprison animals to make money. Congrats to Jack Hanna and the zoo for proving to the world that what's important to them is using animals to promote themselves and not using their voice to promote animals like they claim.

The LA zoo, like the world, is full of hypocrites and liars. The LA City Council has just proven that you can abuse animals and keep custody of them. The zoo should have been fined or worse for the inhumane treatment Billy has suffered so far, instead of getting the go-ahead to get more elephants and keep Billy locked up until they complete the project.

I guess LA's in good shape and doesn't need those tourist dollars, eh? Let the boycott of the city of animal abusers begin!

[White Elephant For Taxpayers]

No wonder the City of Los Angeles is in economic trouble, and facing a huge financial deficit! City officials are moving forward with spending $42 million on a new home for elephants, while taxpayers are being hit with layoffs, and are struggling to keep their homes.

Just today in LA, tragically, a family of 7 died at the hand of a suicidal father who lost his job and his hope of keeping his home.

If the City of Los Angeles has money to waste on building unsuitable shelters for elephants, what is it doing for its taxpaying residents? Billy would be better off at the PAWS sanctuary where he would have ample room to exercise, and the City could have shaved millions off of the deficit.

Taxpayers (just like elephants) have very good memories, especially at the polls.

[Holly H.]

Nancy F,
A non-zoo vet testified that based on looking at a photograph, she thinks Billy has foot problems. She has not actually examined Billy. Would your doctor diagnose you based on a photograph of you? And if so, would you trust a word that doctor had to say? Billy has minor superficial cracks on a toenail, which is common in elephants in zoos, sanctuaries, and the wild.

Congrats to zoo director John Lewis and his excellent staff.

[Suzanne Jeanine]

Congratulations to the LA Zoo, GLAZA, its donors and supporters. Thank you city council for seeing through the blatant lies and slander from the activists and making a sensible decision. Now I hope the Zoo depatrment will hit the fast track to complete Billy's new home as quickly as possible, since those who claim to love animals have caused the ridiculous delays.

[Time2Reflect]

Oh tish tosh Miss Posh.

The LA City Council has made the right decision.

They stood by their commitment to the LA Zoo and its staff, their promise to the people of Los Angeles, and their desire to afford Billy the life he deserves.

Congratulations to them all!!

[Nancy F]

Holly H - A "non-zoo vet"? Dr. Jennifer Conrad has worked at the LA Zoo. She is very familiar with Billy. Not only has she been a zoo vet, but she has also studied and helped wild elephant populations in Asia and Africa. She is familiar with the dramatic differences in the health of wild elephants compared with those living in confined captivity.

It is probably impossible for the zoo staff to even examine Billy's feet because he is in continual musth as a result of the inadequate space and subsequent inadequate exercise available to him. This is very dangerous if his nails are cracking which I am advised by veterinary experts is not usual in wild elephants but is very definitely an early sign of the chronic foot problems that plague zoo and circus elephants.

Since Billy will still have grossly inadequate space when the new "Pachyderm Forest" exhibit is finished, these problems will not get better. They will get worse. I predict his medical course will parallel Gita's. Let's just hope that when he collapses, he will not to be left to languish on a concrete floor for 7-8 hourse before anyone tries to help him which is what happened to poor Gita.

It is unfortunate that 11 members of the LA City Council have such short memories about what happened to elephants like Gita and Tara. Or perhaps, sadly, they just don't think it's that big a deal.

Yesterday was a very dark day for Los Angeles. It was certainly a dark day for the animals. I applaud Councilmember Tony Cardenas for having the courage to stand up and fight for the truth. This is not the end. The animal advocates in Southern California will not give up their important work to help Billy and will join hands with other advocates from around the world and their voices for decency and the truth will not be silenced just as Billy's cries for help will not be silenced.

[SJinLA]

I look forward to seeing Billy in his luxe new digs as soon as possible, and am gratefule to all of those who supported this project, and the council's decision on Wednesday. 1,000 jobs saved, an opportunity to help preserve a gravely endangered species, an opportunity to educate a growing population to the issues of wildlife welfare, a beautiful and enriching home for Billy and his girlfriends - it's all good.

[KC Conwell]

Nancy F: Dr. Conrad worked at the zoo a long time ago and has not examined Billy in many, many years. She diagnosed BIlly's foot by looking at a photograph, something no reputable doctor would do.

I don't think the 11 Councilmembers who support that project forgot about the deaths of Tara and Gita. I think they put them in perspective with the 12 elephants that have died at the two elephant sanctuaries in just the last 5 years, one of which was 26, far younger than either Tara (39+) or Gita (48). In contrast, the zoo has had only 3 elephant deaths in the last 14 years.

Congratulations L.A. Zoo and keep up the fine work you do.

[Heather in LA]

The LA City Council is a joke and ONLY voted to continue the building of the exhibit because the person testifying about the cost to the city LIED and said the city would have to pay back 5 million dollars immediately.

Under questioning from Cardenas he admitted that the amount was in fact negotiable but that he 'believed' it would be 5 mil.

So the City Council voted to proceed SOLELY on the issue of not having to return $$ in the 09/10 budget year, NOT because they believe in the exhibit.

They voted FOR animal abuse and they will need to defend this action. I personally am going to work to unseat my councilmember Jose Huivas.

[Lisa]

Why are people so intent on owing and caging animals? So sad that we can't just let animals live as they were intended to live.

[CreamyDove]

KC Conwell: Conrad had just as much to go on as the LA Zoo vet who testified. It was clear that he couldn't examine Billy's foot in person because Billy is in contant musth which is abnormal. So they both have no choice but to guess by examining the photo.

In addition, the elephants who died at the two sanctuaries, did so from captivity-induced ailments they contracted as a result of living in AZA-accredited zoos and circuses for decades. In fact, that is how many of them ended up in the sanctuaries, because the zoos and circuses literally used them up and ruined their health and then finally let them go because they considered them useless, or the USDA forced them to give them up due to mistreatment or poor living conditions.

For instance, Lota died less than two months after going to The Elephant Sanctuary. She suffered from advanced TB that her owner had not treated and she had less than 10% lung function left. She had been sold for $1 to a notorious circus company by a Wisconsin zoo. Lota was given oxygen treatments and other hospice care to make her as comfortable as possible. TES founding director, Carol Buckley, gave her her last treatment in the middle of the night as she sat in the barn with Lota. Lota died less than half an hour later.

In contrast, Gita finally collapsed from the captivity-induced arthritis and foot infections in her concrete cell at the LA Zoo. She was alone and zoo staff that witnessed her being down neglected to get any medical care for her for about 7 hours. Her body weight began crushing her organs and she threw a blood clot that finally killed her.

It is unconscionable for you zoo people to try and use the sanctuary deaths to denigrate them when their rescues have in many cases already essentially been killed by your zoos and circuses. Shame on you! It shows how lacking in principal you are.

[Raven Sky]

First of all, I do not support animals as entertinment, and the LA Zoo is not one of high intergrity... I grew up there.. The only time I now support any Zoos is when they remodel the zoo into a Sanctuary. Animals the size of Elephants should be in Sanctuaries so they can roam and bond properly with family. They are social animals and deserve to live their lives in equal to their nat;ural habitat. Humans are so arrogant that they think they can take these animals out of their natural setting and put them in small enclosures where they can barely move. So my quote for this is.. In humility is when man can truly go exist with the wild world, he is not above it... we are all connected and walk the earth in balance. I can understand in sancjuaries where they strive to do education to enable others to understand the complex life of animals... Please send hiim to the Sanctuary.. or I have truly lost faith in an establishment that close to Holllywood...

[MissPosh]

I'm sure LA Councilman Tony Cardenas is suffering from bitter disillusion today and rightly so. He worked very hard and in the end underhanded politics held sway, as usual.

You can bet councilmembers were in on the fix (including that two-faced weasel Rosendahl) with city employees, GLAZA, and zoo management joining in. They obviously got hold of labor unions and convinced them that there would be a lot of jobs lost if the exhibit didn't go forward. What nonsense! They just can't do things in an honest, above-board manner. They have to connive, make private deals and it's the innocents who suffer the most. Innocents like Billy

I hope Councilman Cardenas understands that this is what animal advocates always have to deal with. It's sometimes like fighting against a tsunami. He did a wonderful job of presenting the facts, as opposed to lies, and making the case for Billy. He was right and there are a lot of people out here who admire and respect him greatly. Thank you, Councilman Cardenas. Don't give up and know that this is not the end. We will never give up in the fight to help save animals like Billy from cruelty and self-interest. We will eventually free Billy. We must.

[d]

Congratulations to the Zoo, GLAZA and the CIty of LA. This will be a great landmark project. The thing that bothers me is the activist's information is outdated and 30 years old. There is alot of mis-information from the celeberties about Zoo's and Sanctuaries. I imagine that after these attacks on elephants they will then go to rhinoceres, hippos, or giraffes.

[SISSY MAC NEIL]

POOR BILLY! WHAT A TRAGEDY FOR HIM.THIS IS NO LIFE FOR AN ELEPHANT.SO SORRY BILLY.

[robin]

Heather: If you are going to work to unseat your citycouncilmember you should learn how to spell his name.

[ilmionomeenessuno]

You "activists" crack me up. When do you stop spewing lies? Now that the fight is over, why don't you go save some sea-kittens?

[Pam Holt]

I am absolutely appalled that we have 11 city councilmembers without a soul. The Pachyderm Forest exhibit could go ahead and be completed for other pachyderms like giraffes, who also need much more space than they have right now. We know elephants can't get the space they need in a zoo. To even talk about bringing in more elephants and all the millions that will cost in acquiring and maintaining them, medicating them for all the conditions they will undoubtedly come down with in the unnatural environment of the zoo is COMPLETELY irresponsible. The dosage for one day of antibiotics for a huge elephant (who many times must be medicated every day for the rest of their shortened life) is BIG BUCKS!! I am horrified at the stupidity and inhumanity of our city government. The only consolation is that 4 of them got it right.

[Kim Hover]

This is extremely sad and disappointing!! I don't understand how these people (who have commented here) can insult animal activists- who only have the elephants' care and well-being in mind. I fear they are only thinking of "the people of L.A." and the elephant as an exhibit. The animals always pay with their lives in the end. I hope one day this will end and people will stop thinking of animals as entertainment. They don't belong confined. Clearly we wouldn't be having this conversation if this wasn't a problem. Billy's mental and physical health problems attest to this.

[PatW]

This is a hard one. I would like Billy to be in a Sanctuary. If he stays at the Zoo I would want the zoo folk to promise to let him go to a sanctuary if he is unhappy at all. At Sanctuaries elephants can bond and roam the meadows with many others if they want.

[Joanne Lara]

This decision to not allow Billy to go to a sanctuary is tragic. Elephants mate for life- they are herd animals. When Ruby died Billy became the only elephant in the LA Zoo. Last summer I witnessed Billy standing alone in a tiny fenced in area, endlessly bobbing his head in distress. It was pitiful to see. Anyone who has seen Billy and who has had a hand in keeping him in this devastating environment should be ashamed of themselves. He is lonely and distressed and will most likely never see this new elephant enclosure that is costing millions of dollars. Billy should be allowed to live out his life with other elephants where he will receive the care he needs and have FRIENDS!

[Phyllis Elliott]

Please just take a good look at Billy. Look at the endless rocking motion. Look at his heavy body and the lack of muscle mass in his legs. Look into his eyes and tell me what you see.
If you can't get to the Zoo, there is video on www.helpbilly.org. Then watch any video on www.pawsweb.org/video_updates.html.

[Clara F]

I was really appalled at the rude, obnoxious behavior of the zoo employees at Wednesday's City Council meeting. When Cher came up to speak at the podium, they didn't even have the decency to remain silent and let her speak. They booed her.

At the zoo last Saturday, they also were rude and constantly insulted the "Free Billy" people. I think such rude, obnoxious and selfish people should not have Billy or any other animal under their control. They are very nasty people.

[Jen - Council District 12 Greig Smith]

I am writing to express support for shutting down the L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit and sending the ailing Billy to a sanctuary as soon as possible.

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Elephant zoo exhibits, no matter how lavish, are soooo last millennium. Sanctuaries and compassion? Now that's a third millennium thing, and the Council needs to swing with it.

Props to Councilmember Cardenas for being a great ally and advocate of animal welfare.

Too many elephants have suffered and died prematurely at L.A. Zoo, many due to painful health problems caused by inadequate conditions including pens that are far too small. In the wild, elephants travel 70 miles per day (in herds) foraging for food and exercising in their territory.

Billy has spent years in solitary confinement in a tiny zoo pen, where he constantly bobs his head up and down, an abnormal behavior not seen in the wild. He suffers from well-documented foot ailments as a result.

The $42 million L.A. Zoo elephant exhibit is a misappropriation of taxpayer money and so BAD for Billy.

HOW COULD YOU??!

Come on, L.A. Councilmembers, and COUNCILMAN SMITH, send Billy to the sanctuary where he will have the space and lifestyle that he desperately needs.

Let's go!!

[Hilda Sorrenson]

Billy belongs in a sanctuary where there is other Elephants like him.

[carole raphaelle davis]

People who go to zoos are on the wrong side of the enclosure and the elected officials and nitwit "experts" who fought for this exhibit are on the wrong side of this moral issue. They are a bunch of empathy-challenged thugs, taking millions of tax payer dollars for a DUMBO GITMO.

[Lorraine Keshner]

It's not about who has the RIGHT to decide Billy's fate.. It's about what is BEST for this poor soul... You can all get up there on your mighty soap boxes and say that "No one has the right to tell YOU what to do with YOUR elephant,, meanwhile, Billy suffers, day in, day out.. FOR NO REASON! When he could be happy at last, safe at last, where he should be, at last.. Shame on you... You use your power, not to make his life better.. but just to stand there and posture.... You know in your hearts, this is not right.... Seems the human race continues to spiral downward...

[Holly H.]

When an elephant dies in a sanctuary, the sanctuaries conveniently blame its prior circumstances, whether it has been in the sanctuary 2 months or 10 years. But when an elephant dies in a zoo, regardless of its past history or length of time at the zoo, they blame the zoo.

What is shameful is how far this was allowed to go, and how much time was wasted. Billy could have been in his new habitat two years ago, with female companionship, if these groups hadn't somehow gotten to a city councilmember.

By the way, if councilmember cardenas was such a great defender of animal rights, he would not have voted to allow elephant rides in the city of L.A. in 2004, which his voting record shows that he did. This issue was all about politics and publicity for him.

[Elephant Lover]

Ok, first of all i will say that no elephant should ever be confined in a zoo. EVER. They are roaming animals who will walk at least 30 miles a day. They are active and if they dont get proper activity they will get join problems and DIE prematurely. LA zoo has prematurely killed other elephants and i see NO reason to keep trying. Elephants need to roam free, from the vote i will conclude that the members are cold hearted fools who seek only money.

-Highly activated Elephant Lover

[Christine]

I appreciate the city council's decision. AND I am not against sanctuaries. It's just not the right place for Billy. He should be in his new luxurious habitat, with female elephants and have the opportunity to breed. The new enclosure will be beautiful, educational and enriching for both humans and elephants. The Zoo will be under great scrutiny which will help ensure that Billy receive the highest level of care and conditions. Wait until you see the new exhibit before judging. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[TJ]

Here are a few facts.

The exhibit is over 6 acres, not 3/4 acres. An acre is 44,000 square feet. An average home in Los Angeles is on a lot of 6400 square feet. The elephants will have the same space as 41 single family homes in Los Angeles.

Elephants roam 80 miles in the wild because they are searching for food. The elephants, in fact all animals in the LA Zoo, get restaurant quality food delivered to them each day, with EACH animal getting individual meals to address their specific dietary need.

There are NO electric shock devices in the LA Zoo. Period.

Billy is going to have 3 cows (female elephants) living with him when the exhibit is completed. If Billy were sent to a sanctuary, he would be castrated or kept in solitary, as they don't allow breeding in sanctuaries.

There is a Veterinarian and at least three keepers on Zoo Grounds at all times. Animals in sanctuaries don't get this. Animals in the wild don't have this. Most people don't have this.

In short, the animals in the LA Zoo have better homes, meals, and health care than 41% of the people in America.

I understand that this is an issue that inflames passions, but you have to know ALL the facts, you can't just ignore the ones that don't support your views. If you have an opinion, make it an informed one.

[Mel]

WHAT A LET DOWN OUR COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Binky Mince]

Free Billy.
Cher can know a variety of subjects one should not assume she only knows song. She is a mom trust me she knows lots about how things live, exsist, and survive.
The zoo keeper who made that remark we hope knows more about animals then just how to keep them alive.
Tom LaBonge should stick to trying to give LA a decent St. Patrick's Day Parade.
FREE BILLY

[Carol]

Just WHY would any sane person think that a celeb who's never had any practical experience or education have such expertise with elephants? Just mind-boggling! Being on tv or getting elected makes one become an expert?

Come on, LA, GET REAL!!!!

[Melissa Laskin]

I think it is disgusting in this progressive city that this poor animal that should never have been in a zoo in the first place, has to be subjected to this zoo. OBVIOUSLY the council members nor the zoo members, who want to defend their place of employment, are giving any thought as to the best welfare of Billy. With everyones ego out of it, money has been raised to send Billy to where he rightfully belongs to spend the rest of his life.. and that is to a sanctuary, where he will be with other elephants that he can bond with. What is the matter with you people at the zoo and the city council... you obviously don't care the least about this magnificent animal and what is the best for him. It just makes me sick for mankind. I was crying when I heard the results on the radio. It's SICKENING!!!!!!!!!!!

[KashaP]

TJ: Talk about being uninformed, you certainly are! Elephants don't just roam for food. They need the physical exercise to maintain their physical and psychological health. Think what would happen to you if someone locked you up in a closet. Do you think you would thrive there? Do you think you would remain healthy? Of course not! And neither will Billy or any other elephant confined to the equivalent of a closet.

The new exhibit will only give about 3.5 acres of outdoor space to the elephants, to be subdivided into 4 sections. They cannot house Billy with females. Anyone who thinks they can doesn't understand elephants. The females will try to kick him out and Billy, being in constant musth due to his confined living situation, will attack the females.

I think what all this shows is that Neanderthals are not extinct after all. We thought they were, but we have found that they are obvioulsly alive and working at the LA Zoo.

[Jane A.]

Many of the people opposing the exhibit admit they have not been to the zoo in decades, if ever. Yet they claim, confidently, that Billy is suffering. Seriously.

When I moved to L.A. in 1990, I thought the LA Zoo was pretty bad. I didn't come back for years, until the new chimpanzee habitat opened and I wanted to see it for myself. It's a beautiful exhibit, better than most other zoos, and endorsed by no less an expert than Jane Goodall. Then, the zoo made the same kind of improvements for the orangutans and gorillas. Let them do the same for Billy!

[elaine cuttler]

Please free Billy and let him have a normal life.

[hermine stover]

Since when did CHER become an elephant maven? I work with people who do such things as breed Asian Elephants in the USA. Their native habitat is declining by millions of acres on a measurable rate, and ultimately they will depend for survival on interaction with people. So wake up, this is NOT paradise on earth, the Lion has not yet lain with the Lamb in peace, this is NOT the Messianic Era, and we have to compromise in stewardship of large wild herbivores and all the other animals whose habitats are in flux.

[Susan T]

Thank you Councilman Cardenas. You stood strong.
Unfortunately, the world is full of ignorance and arrogance.

It is truly sad that Billy must pay the price.

Do you ever wonder what God thinks of how we treat His creation?

[MissPosh]

Hermine Stover, you must either work for a zoo or a circus. That makes you one of the abusers. What nonsense to put forth the proposition that, because elephants' habitats are being threatened by humans in their natural ranges somehow justifies keeping them in cruel confined captivity here in N. America.

People who really care about their plight are going to stop abusing and exploiting elephants for profit and instead contribute to REAL wild elephant conservation efforts in Africa and Asia. Elephants are definitely not going to survive if humans are allowed to continue exploiting them. Zoos and circuses are 19th century forms of show business. It's time for them to stop masquerding as "conservation" when they have absolutely nothing to do with conservation.

[Suzanne jeanine]

Give the Zoo a chance before you judge. The Pachyderm Foerst will be beautiful and enriching for the elephants and people alike. The Zoo will be under so much scrutiny, that you can be assured that Billy and his new friends will receive the highest possible level of care.

[gina d]

So sad. My daughter dislikes the zoo. First thing she saw there was an elephant licking a rock and a bear laying with his back to the people staring at him. She told me the animals looked sad and out of place. She said she would not go on another field trip to the zoo EVER. Zoos don't teach children to respect or admire animals. We should be teaching our children that we don't imprison wild animals just so we can stare at them up close. Humans can be so arrogant.

[patty]

Free Billy to the PAWS Sanctuary where he belongs! Elephants do NOT belong in zoos! It is cruel and inhumane to keep him there. City Council voted for animal cruelty. Shame on you! Shame on the LA Zoo! The new enclosure is still NOT enough space for elephants - no matter how beautiful it may seem to us stupid humans!!!!!