Dallas Observer LTE July 9, 2008

[Guest guest]

The Dallas Observer published three letters to the editor on July 9, 2008. All three were about Jenny. Thanks to Nancy Twitty, Dorothy Phillips, and Jennifer O'Connor and all the many other Jenny supporters, who also wrote and thus, enabled us to get these three published for Jenny. Keep calling and emailing the Dallas Mayor please. We can not let up the pressure on City Hall or Jenny is lost. Our campaign is having an effect thanks to all those who care about this much abused elephant. We must and will win for Jenny by continuing to fight for her! MargaretFounder, Concerned Citizens for JennyJoin: http://pets.concernedcitizensforjenny/Ooo, Jenny, Jenny

 

Published on July 10, 2008

"Pack a Trunk," by Spencer Campbell, July 3

 

Subject(s):

Ooo, Jenny, Jenny

It's impossible to understand why Dallas Zoo officials are choosing

to send Jenny to a foreign zoo that affords her no protection under our

federal animal protection laws instead of to an elephant sanctuary in

the United States.

Jenny's life has already been one of heartbreak and deprivation.

Forcibly removed from her rightful African home as a baby, she's spent

her entire life in captivity, resulting in behavioral issues for which

the zoo heavily tranquilized her for three years.

At a sanctuary, Jenny would experience the joy of new opportunities

to explore many acres of valleys and forests, excavate mud wallows,

discover swimming holes, knock down trees and meet new friends. Her new

world would be measured in hundreds of acres, not a small portion of a

zoo enclosure.

We urge the Dallas Zoo to do what's best for Jenny, which means sending her to the sanctuary. She deserves no less.

Jennifer O'Connor, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Thank you for your coverage about Jenny's plight.

I wanted to point out The Elephant Sanctuary is not a zoo, and AZA

accreditation does not apply. The Elephant Sanctuary is accredited by

The Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS).

I question the logic of placing Jenny, whose medical records state is fearful of noises, in a drive-thru zoo.

Elephants are the world's largest land mammals, are active 20 hours

out of 24 and cover 30 to 50 miles a day. I question the logic of

placing two or three 10,000-pound elephants on approximately two acres

of space (the total five acres for Africam's elephants are subdivided

for the male Asian and female Asian elephants and will be further

subdivided for Africans), even with all the vets and keepers at Africam.

Zoo officials are now saying Jenny is on loan. Jenny is not an

object to be shipped 950 miles and back. She is a highly intelligent

creature whose complex needs are foremost for those who oppose the

zoo's decision.

The Elephant Sanctuary is a premier facility that is well-equipped

to tend to Jenny's total care. The sanctuary spent $1.8 million out of

their 2006 budget of $2.1 million on elephant care. The African

elephant barn is a marvel. The floor is padded and heated. It was

constructed so natural daylight and moonlight "flows into the elephant

house, creating a warm and comforting effect" (from The Elephant

Sanctuary's site at elephants.com). Let us allow Jenny to retire peacefully, respectfully and with dignity for her 22 years of service to us.

Dorothy Phillips, Dallas

This has become ridiculous. We are sending a Dallas African elephant

to Mexico and putting her with Asian elephants? It is well-known these

two different kinds of elephants do not get along. Since they can't put

Jenny with the Asian elephants, she will be alone AGAIN. And of all

places to put an elephant mourning the loss of her pal, KeKe, [the zoo

chooses] a smaller land mass in Mexico? There is a bigger, better and

more accessible sanctuary here in Tennessee. Why can't Jenny just live

out her life in peace and not be put on display?

I think the zoo director has just gotten stubborn about Jenny and

WILL NOT change his mind unless the mayor of Dallas takes the matter to

the city council and listens to the public. Do you want to see the city

of Dallas become the laughingstock of the country? I doubt it. Do you

all have such a mind-set that you will not listen to the citizens of

Dallas, even people who live out of Dallas, in the suburbs and other

cities nearby?

It is time that the mayor, the city council, the Parks and

Recreation Department, and the zoo director consider the wants and

needs of Jenny, and not their own egos or wants. Jenny has to come

first.

Nancy Twitty, Fort Worth