|
Elephant Sanctuaries – Not Captivity!
The Los Angeles Zoo - Gita
 On
June 10, 2006, Gita, an Asian elephant held at the LA Zoo in
inadequate and debilitating quarters for 47 years, passed away.
Gita’s medical history is riddled with documentation of the
harmful effects of a life in captivity. Gita is at peace,
finally, but tragic that this was the only way she could get out
of the zoo.
We have been waiting for months for the release of Gita’s
necropsy. It was finally released August 23rd, 2006. LCA is
appalled at the contents of this report and demand Mayor
Villaraigosa closed down the L.A. Elephant Exhibit permanently
and release the two remaining elephants to a sanctuary.
"This necropsy does not excuse the zoo of any fault in Gita's
death. This necropsy is proof that Gita died because of life in
captivity at the L.A. Zoo," states LCA President Chris DeRose.
When Gita died in June, there were many questions regarding the
circumstances behind her death. The suspicions were confirmed a
few weeks later when zoo officials admitted that there was an 8
hour time delay before Gita received medical attention the day
she went down. The necropsy reports, among many health
problems, that the time delay was not 8 hours, but 12 - 17
hours before anyone took action to help her.
If Gita had been cared for during these crucial hours, she
may have survived -- or at least been spared the unimaginable
suffering she endured in the last hours of her life.
|
|
The LA Zoo has been lying about the status of Gita's health
for years. Just this year, prior to her death, Zoo director John Lewis has
stated:
- “She’s not suffering.”
- “...none [of Gita's health problems] was causing great
alarm.”
- “…her foot problems were healed.”
This in stark contrast to what was actually found during
the necropsy. Click
here to see a copy of the necropsy. |
Please help save the remaining two elephants, Ruby and Billy,
from spending the remainder of their life in captivity at the
Los Angeles Zoo. Tell the Mayor to release them to sanctuary and
permanently close the elephant exhibit.
What You Can Do:
Call, Email, Write the Mayor
Let him know you are appalled at the findings of the
necropsy and outraged at the zoo's inability to provide proper
care for its elephants. Demand he order the relocation of the
remaining 2 elephants to a sanctuary and permanently close the
elephant exhibit at the zoo.
200 North Spring St., Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 978-0600
mayor@lacity.org
RETURN
TO THE MAIN ELEPHANT SANCTUARIES PAGE
Donate to LCA, click
here!
|
