The elephant fence at the Los Angeles Zoo appears to be empty, which raises concerns among activists who want to know if vintage residents Billy and Tina have been transferred to another zoo.
La Zoo announced its decision to move Billy, 40, and Tina, 59, to Tulsa, to Tulsa, last month, to frustrating animal rights advocates who believe they should retire in the shelter.
The possible relocation of animals is the latest controversy over decades surrounding La Zoo’s elephant program, with experts and activists long criticizing the scale of its residents’ enclosures and the history of death toll and health challenges.
Social Compassion, a political advocacy group in legislation, shared photos of the fences on Tuesday over Instagram, and wrote in the caption that they “don’t know where the elephant is.”
Asian elephant rescued from Texas Circus Tina, Left and Jewel were restored at the San Diego Zoo before moving to the then-New Elephant Exhibition at the Los Angeles Zoo in 2010.
(San Diego Zoo)
Representatives at LA ZOO, TULSA Zoo and Mayor Karen Bass’ office did not respond to the New York Times request. It is not clear whether Billy and Tina are in the process of transfer.
Bob Blumenfield, a longtime elephant advocate, said in a telephone interview with The Times on Tuesday that he did not know the status of the relocation, but that the situation was "disappointing and frustrating."
Blumenfield filed a council motion last month to try to suspend the relocation of the animals until council members can review the possibility of sending them to shelters.
If the elephant despite the motion and filed a lawsuit over the relocation, it would be said “this is obviously not the right thing.”
"If this is the right thing, you should be proud of it and willing to defend it and push it to public review and do it at a scheduled time, not to generalize it," Blumenfield said.
Denise Verret, director and CEO of La Zoo, said at a recent budget hearing that the decision to relocate the elephant was in the best interest of the animals and was based on Assn's advice. Zoo and aquarium, where Verret is a chair.
During a May 8 hearing, Verret told Blumenfield that Los Angeles and Tulsa Zoo have not signed a contract and have not set a date for the animal's actions.
"It really seems like a very fast turnaround, and it's actually what's going on," Blumenfield said. "It really makes you wonder if people are trying to do this quickly to avoid further scrutiny."