FAIRHOPE — A trio of animal-rights groups is railing against the pending move of two elephants to Pittsburgh Zoo’s conservation center in Somerset County.
The organizations – including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – argue that the two pachyderms from Philadelphia’s zoo are too old for breeding and would be confined to “small pens” at the Fairhope-area facility.
But the zoo’s top administrator begs to differ, saying the activists’ assertions are misleading and, in some cases, wholly inaccurate.
“None of these groups has ever visited our site,” said Barbara Baker, the zoo’s president and chief executive officer.
Pittsburgh Zoo announced the creation of the 724-acre International Conservation Center in January 2006. The facility welcomed its first tenant – bull elephant Jackson – in December.
Zoo administrators have said for some time that they planned to move two female elephants, Kallie and Bette, from the Philadelphia Zoo to the Somerset County center.
But that initiative now is attracting controversy.
On Tuesday, three organizations – PETA, Born Free USA and In Defense of Animals – said they are “joining forces to oppose the pending move.”
Among their concerns:
• The groups decry what they call “cruel, circus-style elephant training” involving “physical punishment delivered with the bull hook.” Many zoos no longer use such tools, the activists say.
• “Confinement to small pens with no free access” to the property, preventing the animals from “engaging in natural physical and social elephant behavior.” The zoo has not erected elephant-proof fencing, the groups say.
• “Grave risks” in breeding older elephants such as Kallie and Bette, both of which are in their late 20s.
However, Baker argues that the groups are pursuing a vendetta against all zoos.
She said the two female elephants will be closely examined before any breeding activity.
Age does not preclude pregnancy, Baker said, noting that two of the Pittsburgh Zoo’s elephants – both in their late 20s – gave birth last year.
“We will be very careful in evaluating these animals,” Baker said.
As for confinement in small pens, Baker said “there couldn’t be anything further from the truth.” She said Jackson spends all but about one hour each day outdoors.
“He’s doing quite well,” Baker said. “We bring him in to feed him and make sure he’s OK.”
Baker acknowledged the zoo’s use of bull hooks, but she said animal-rights organizations misrepresent that tool’s purpose.
“It’s simply an extension of the arm,” she said. “It just provides a little bit of extra safety space when you’re working with the animal.”
The activist groups likely will not buy those arguments.
They argue that Philadelphia Zoo leaders do not have a coherent plan for the elephants, and they’re lobbying for the animals to instead be relocated to one of two “accredited natural habitat elephant sanctuaries” in California and Tennessee.
But Baker said zoo administrators continue to make plans to move the elephants to Somerset County.
“Providing the animals with a safe, wonderful environment to live in really is our first priority,” she said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Jackson, a 29-year-old African elephant, has been at the Pittsburgh Zoo’s conservation center in Somerset County since December. Todd Berkey
Discussion
Pachyderm protest: Groups oppose breeding plan at Fairhope-area facility
- Local News
-
-
Independents, minor-party members locked out of primary election
More than 1 million registered voters in Pennsylvania will be barred from casting a ballot today because the state only allows registered Democrats and Republicans to participate in the primary election.
-
Permit path cleared: Construction soon on Rt. 219 project
The final permit is on the way for a Somerset-to-Meyersdale Route 219 improvement project to begin.
It’s a years-in-the-making step that will allow the estimated $300 million plan to be advertised for bids in the coming weeks – and if all goes well, move it to construction this fall, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster said Monday. -
Emergency response team hones skills at training camp
Almost certainly, no Cambria County Special Emergency Response Team members will ever be called upon to create a small bridge out of two pieces of wood and rope, use the newfangled walkway to get a group of individuals from one point to another, pick up an object at the end of the course and then figure out a way back to the starting point.
But the skills SERT officers gain by participating in drills like those – leadership, teamwork, trust and creativity – can be invaluable when they are serving and protecting the community. -
Fun Day event to spotlight YMCA expansion
The Y logo may be seen from the sky June 15 when Greater Johnstown YMCA community members get together to form a logo comprised of people at a Community Fun Day.
-
Agency will provide produce vouchers to eligible seniors
Income-eligible residents ages 60 and older will have a chance to stock up a bit on locally grown produce through a voucher program offered in Cambria and Somerset counties this year.
-
Poverty simulation slated for today
Annamarie Pihs experienced firsthand the kind of harsh economic times she will be helping educate Johnstown community leaders about during today’s Walk a Day in My Shoes: Understanding Poverty event at Greater Johnstown High School.
-
In Brief | 27 students escape injury in bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township.
-
State police investigating school bus crash
State police in Ebensburg are investigating a school bus crash that happened Monday on Route 36 in Clearfield Township. The Cambria Heights school bus was carrying 27 students when the driver apparently blacked out and sheared off a pine tree between the Chest Spring and Patton areas, schools superintendent Michael Strasser said. None of the high school or elementary students was hurt, he said. The students were triaged at the scene and released to their parents, Strasser said.
The driver was taken to Altoona Regional Hospital, he said. -
Study: Hospitals’ finances are healthy
Hospitals across the region maintained financial health last year, a new state report shows.
But leaders say the continued strength required constant scrutiny and creative programming to identify new opportunities in a dynamic industry. -
Local politicians will feel impact of redistricting
This time next year, as primary election day draws near, two close friends and colleagues likely will find themselves in a face-off, each in the hopes of holding his job in the state House.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
