Six Flags bad for elephants, says group

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Article Launched: 01/12/2006 06:09:36 AM

 

Six Flags bad for elephants, says group

Park dismises claims as 'anti-zoo propaganda'

By Lachlan MacLean/Times-Herald, Vallejo

 

 

An international animal rights group has included Six Flags Marine World

in its " Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants " list for the second year in a row.

Elephants at the theme park in Vallejo are subject to poor treatment that

may negatively affect their health and livelihood, said Suzanne Roy, program

director for the nonprofit animal advocacy group In Defense of Animals, in its

announcement this week.

 

Marine World spokesman Paul Garcia dismissed the list and the group's

accusations as " anti-zoo propaganda full of misleading claims. "

 

The list is released annually to highlight problems affecting elephants in

zoos across the nation. Those problems include fertility complications, physical

maladies and psychological dysfunction, Roy said. The list of zoos was compiled

after the advocacy group evaluated medical records from dozens of zoos

nationwide, Roy said.

 

" Elephants are earth's largest, most intelligent and complex land

mammals, " Roy said. " Zoos and parks like Marine World simply cannot meet

behavioral and biological needs. "

 

Garcia said the park is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium

Association, which mandates appropriate care of captive animals.

 

" The truth is that Marine World's first and main priority is to give the

best care to our animals and enrich the environment in which they live, " Garcia

said. " The animals are happy and healthy, they look good, and they get plenty of

activity. "

 

Marine World is home to seven African

 

 

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and Asian elephants, including 68-year-old Taj, the oldest captive

elephant in North America, Garcia said.

 

Marine World has worked with elephants for more than 20 years, Garcia

said. " We have one of the top teams for handling elephants in a zoo-like

facility. "

 

David Blasko, Marine World's Director of Animal Operations and Elephant

Training, has been working with elephants for more than 30 years, Garcia said.

Blasko is president of the International Elephant Foundation, an organization

devoted to elephant health and safety worldwide.

 

In November 2002, Roy's group called Marine World " an elephant death trap "

after the euthanization of 23-year-old African elephant Tika and the earlier

death of her fetus. The unborn calf had been conceived through artificial

insemination.

 

Marine World has since discontinued breeding elephants on the premises,

Garcia said, and has prioritized artificial insemination research instead.

 

For the complete list of the " Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants " and other

information about captive elephants, visit www.helpelephants. com.