Los Angeles

Two New Elephants for the L.A. Zoo

Claire Goldberg

The San Diego Zoo is relocating two female Asian elephants, Tina and Jewel, to the Los Angeles Zoo. Tina and Jewel are estimated to be in their mid-40s and were moved to the San Diego Zoo 14 months ago, after spending years with a Texas circus trainer who was cited for mistreatment by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Tina and Jewel will become charter members of the zoo’s Elephants of Asia program, which exhibits Asian elephants of all ages and shows visitors what is needed to protect the endangered species. There is mixed sentiment about whether or not a zoo can replicate the habitat of wild elephants. These elephants are known to roam for miles daily and stay within intact family groups. The L.A. Zoo is repudiating these feelings by creating six acres of sandy hills, bathing pools and other natural attractions to their new exhibit, as well as adding medical care. Additionally, the L.A. Zoo policy will allow only protected contact between elephants and zookeepers. With Tina and Jewel, the L.A. Zoo will have a total of three elephants, though they hope to acquire up to two more in the next few years.

• Protected contact: ensures that a zookeeper will only use positive reinforcement to coax an elephant into doing something, rather than a threat of punishment

Additional Readings:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-elephants-20101030,0,3246798.story?track=rss

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/kswb-san-diego-zoo-to-loan-2-eleph-102910,0,7273409.story?track=rss