Guest guest Posted July 30, 2008 Report Share Posted July 30, 2008 http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/viewpoints/stories/DN-hunt_30edi.ART.State.Edition1.4d7b60f.html Angela Hunt: Why Jenny belongs in Tennessee sanctuary 12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 Angela Hunt represents District 14 on the Dallas City Council. Her e-mail is angela. In its editorial "Stop Micromanaging the Dallas Zoo," The Dallas Morning News argues that investigating a decision made by city of Dallas staff to relocate Jenny, the city's last remaining elephant, to a zoo in Mexico is tantamount to micromanagement. I disagree. The question of where to relocate Jenny, an animal that has given so much to Dallas, that has brought us joy and delighted our children, and that has very special needs of her own, is an important one whose resolution will speak volumes about our city. Several weeks ago, I began receiving thousands of e-mails from Dallas residents and others across the country expressing concern about Dallas' decision. I felt I had a duty to learn more. Rather than relying on second-hand information, I personally visited the proposed facility in Mexico. I also visited The Elephant Sanctuary, a facility in Tennessee that also has agreed to take Jenny. I reviewed Jenny's medical records and spoke with Dallas Zoo staff, as well as sanctuary proponents. Upon investigation, it became clear that the sanctuary is the best home for Jenny. The Mexican facility is a well-maintained, drive-through zoo. It may be the perfect home for many animals, but Jenny is not just any elephant. Jenny has a troubled history that includes aggression toward other elephants and stress-related self-mutilation. She has been tranquilized for long stretches because of uncontrollable behavior and is afraid of loud noises and vehicles. At the Mexican zoo, three elephants currently share less than an acre of land without significant foliage or shade. I personally witnessed two of the three elephants at the Mexican zoo compulsively swaying, a classic sign of distress. In Mexico, Jenny would have access to less than four acres and would be subjected to a constant stream of cars. In contrast, at the Tennessee sanctuary, I found thousands of acres of open land, state-of-the-art barns, two on-call large-animal veterinarians and live-in animal keepers. Jenny would have 300 acres of Tennessee countryside to explore and, importantly, would be protected from constant traffic. Unlike the zoo in Mexico, the Tennessee sanctuary is subject to annual inspections and regulation by the U.S.D.A., and its elephants are protected by the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. While some tout the Mexican zoo's membership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums – a trade association of zoos – the AZA has no legal authority to penalize members for mistreatment of animals. Given her unique needs, the sanctuary is the superior facility for Jenny. Joyce Poole, one of the world's foremost experts on elephants, agrees. Dr. Poole has been described as being "to elephants what Jane Goodall is to chimpanzees and Dian Fossey was to gorillas." She has said unequivocally, "Jenny should go to a sanctuary." As noted in The Washington Post, the AZA opposes sending animals to facilities that are not members of its business association and threatens to penalize zoos that do. Nevertheless, several AZA-accredited zoos, including facilities in El Paso, Philadelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee and San Francisco, have successfully relocated their elephants to sanctuaries. Some have tried to turn the debate about Jenny's future into a debate about zoos vs. sanctuaries or about the credibility of the AZA or PETA. But that is not what this debate is about. This debate is about what is best for Jenny, a unique animal that has given our city so much and to whom we now owe a duty of care and protection. When we brought Jenny to the Dallas Zoo more than two decades ago, she became our responsibility. As we decide where to send her, we must focus exclusively on what is best for her, taking into account her unique history and challenges. I am hopeful our decision will reflect the very best about Dallas: compassion, kindness and gratitude toward an animal that has given us much. I am hopeful Jenny will find her new home in Tennessee. Angela Hunt represents District 14 on the Dallas City Council. Her e-mail is angela. READ the editorial regarding the relocation of Jenny at dallasnews.com/opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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