Los Angeles Zoo Elephants to Get Costly Enclosure
Posted on: Wednesday, 19 April 2006, 17:25 CDT
By Jill Serjeant
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday brushed aside complaints that the money could be better spent on the homeless and approved a $39 million project with water holes and lush forest to house elephants.
The 13-2 vote to build one of the biggest and most costly elephant enclosures in the nation came after months of debate about whether the animals should be kept in captivity at all.
The 3.7-acre exhibit is to be constructed during the next three years at the zoo, which now has three elderly elephants and hopes to get more once the enclosure is done.
Several zoos have closed their elephant exhibits because of concern over odd behavior and arthritis among animals, which have strong social instincts and roam widely in the wild.
Last month the U.S. government said it would seek public comment on possible changes in laws protecting zoo elephants.
Los Angeles activists who wanted the animals to be sent to a sanctuary shouted, "Free the elephants," when the vote by the city council was announced.
"We are living in the 21st century. It is time we respect our elephants, give them their freedom and put them in a sanctuary," said councilman Bill Rosendahl.
Others said the $13 million coming from council funds for the project could be better spent in a city that is the homeless capital of the United States. Most of the funds will come from bonds approved by voters and donations from zoo supporters.
Actress and animal rights activist Betty White urged the council to approve the new enclosure, which is three times the size of the present one. "I beg you, let's not let the opportunity go by to get a better place for these babies," she said.
The debate in Los Angeles debate was fueled, in part, by the death in 2003 of Tara the elephant from heart failure at age 39. The average lifespan of an elephant is about 70 years.
Source: REUTERS
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