Animal rights group names Topeka Zoo bad for elephants
7:17 p.m. Wednesday, January 31, 2007
When temperatures drop on the outside, elephants Tembo and Sunda stay inside where it's warm and cozy. But a spokesperson for In Defense of Animals organization says having elephants cooped up all day is bad for their health.
"When you don't have enough space, it affects their heath and at Topeka Zoo, there's obviously not enough space," says IDA Campaign Director Katherine Doyle.
Topeka Zoo Director Mike Coker says the zoo exceeds the minimum requirement for space. Currently there is more than 32,000 feet outside and construction is underway to add 5,000 square feet inside.
IDA's Top Ten Worst Zoos
- 1. Alaska Zoo (Anchorage) and Birmingham Zoo (AL)
- 2. Marine World-Vallejo (CA)
- 3. Oregon Zoo (Portland)
- 4. St. Louis (MO)
- 5. Abilene Zoo (TX)
- 6. Topeka Zoo (KS)
- 7. Rosamond Gifford Zoo (Syracuse, NY)
- 8. San Diego Zoo (CA)
- 9. Jacksonville Zoo (FL)
- 10. Maryland Zoo (Baltimore, MD)
"They are looking for a single animal, 400 square feet. For two animals, 800 square feet. This new addition will be way over that," says Coker.
The international animal rights group targeted the zoo because of a 2005 visit by the USDA citing there weren't enough restraints to hold animals down while getting veterinary care. But Coker says that is just one of the improvements the zoo is putting in place to make life easier for the elephants.
The IDA says there were also problems with the elephants feet. Veterenarian Shirley Llizo says there aren't any active current problems with the elephants' feet. The IDA was also concerned the animals had to sleep in their feces and urine but workers say they clean out the pens so that doesn't happen.
Sunda's Medical Records
Sunda, currently residing at the Topeka Zoo, has an extensive medical record. Find out what kind of medical care Sunda has received in this printable PDF. Be aware that the document is 173 pages long, so it will take awhile to load.
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