MEDIA ADVISORY
Celebrities, Animal Protection Leaders Blast USDA for Failure to Protect Captive Elephants
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2009
Contact: Catherine Doyle 323-301-5730
Group Calls for Sanctions Against L.A. Zoo on Third Anniversary of Controversial L.A. Zoo Elephant DeathLos Angeles, Calif.–On Wednesday, In Defense of Animals will release a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, co-signed by acclaimed actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin and leading animal protection organizations, accusing the USDA of failing to protect captive elephants and enforce federal animal welfare law. The letter calls for the Los Angeles Zoo to be sanctioned for its role in the controversial death of the elephant Gita, and for the seizure of three suffering circus elephants.
The press conference is scheduled on the third anniversary of Gita’s death. To date, the USDA has failed to hold the Los Angeles Zoo accountable, though the zoo admitted negligence in her death.
WHAT: Press conference on third anniversary of Gita’s death
WHEN: Wednesday, June 10th, 11 am
WHERE: Los Angeles Zoo, in front of main entrance
WHO: Members of In Defense of Animals, elephant advocates and concerned citizens holding signs and banners.
Celebrities to be announced.
"It's outrageous that after three years, there still is no justice for Gita," says In Defense of Animals campaign director Catherine Doyle. "As long as the USDA allows zoos and circuses to flagrantly violate federal animal welfare laws, elephants will be in danger. It's time for the USDA to start seriously enforcing the law and protect captive elephants."
The letter cites several egregious cases in which the USDA has failed to take timely action and calls for the confiscation of three circus elephants in the hands of an abusive trainer who was banned from performing in Los Angeles last year due to his record of repeated Animal Welfare Act violations. One of the elephants is wounded, extremely emaciated, and possibly suffering from tuberculosis.
Gita's death on June 10th, 2006, made headlines after In Defense of Animals revealed that the L.A. Zoo failed to provide veterinary care to Gita for up to 17 hours after she collapsed overnight. She died shortly after keepers arrived in the morning. Gita had suffered for years from painful, chronic foot infections and arthritis caused by inadequate conditions for elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo.
Los Angeles Zoo currently holds one solitary elephant, Billy.
Read the letter to Agriculture Tom Vilsack here.