I reflect on this World Wildlife Day and think about Lucy. No matter how long Lucy and all captive elephants have been behind bars in zoos or chained in circuses, they are wild animals and always will be. They may become habituated to their inescapable situations and slavery but there is no such thing as a domesticated elephant. They will ALWAYS be wild animals. As a wild animal, Lucy should not be painting pictures for the Valley Zoos fundraising, should not be existing in a cramped, outdated enclosure like this, should not be suffering the effects of captivity like arthritis and foot disease which is NEVER seen in elephants in the wild, and never have laid eyes on, nor felt, a bullhook. I think of Lucy on this day, and think of the alternative life she COULD be living, as close to the wild as possible, in the vast acres of a sanctuary like Performing Animal Welfare Society - PAWS or The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. May dear Lucy experience that freedom before she dies. May the Edmonton City Council and Mayor have the courage, compassion and conviction to tell the Valley Zoo to 1) permit an exam of Lucy by an INDEPENDENT panel of veterinarians and elephant experts and 2) if Lucy is healthy enough to be transported, transfer her to PAWs or TES. Lucy has EARNED her retirement.
Posted on: Tue, 04 Mar 2014 04:05:17 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015