Elephant welfare: a query

[Guest guest]

With regards to elephant polo generating money for conservation, I invite

everyone to take a look at this website :

http://www.elephantcenter.com/?id=3624 From what I gauge this is a facility

that is apparently devoted to the care and conservation of Asian elephants.

My question is, is it acceptable in animal welfare/rights/conservation to

have projects like this when it is tied to an exploitative and entertainment

event, in this particular case, the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey

circus. My view is it is not. Slavery would not have been abolished if good

enriched habitat for black people was made available by their white masters

to keep them happy(like elephants in zoos) or if slaves were allowed to

shake hands with their owners and indulge in games and share their dinner

with their owners(like in circuses and elephant polo). Slavery was abolished

because the abolitionists prevailed in the face of massive opposition from

people who claimed that the slaves were better off in captivity in US than

at freedom in Africa. As far as elephants in captivity are concerned, I

consider myself an abolitionist.

 

 

 

http://www.elephantcenter.com/?id=3624

 

About the Center for Elephant Conservation

 

A lifelong symbol of *The Greatest Show on Earth*®, the Asian elephant is a

respected and revered member of the *Ringling Bros.* family. In the interest

of the species' present and future well-being, the *Ringling Bros. Center

for Elephant Conservation* was established in 1995. Located in central

Florida, this 200-acre, $5-million, state-of-the-art facility is dedicated

to the conservation, breeding and understanding of these amazing animals.

 

*Conservation*

Endangered species? Not if we can help it. With only 35,000 Asian elephants

remaining in the world, animal conservationists agree that it requires

programs such as the *Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation* to

ensure the Asian elephant population is guaranteed a long and safe future.

 

*Breeding*

Threatened by the severe habitat encroachment of humans in its native lands,

the *Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation* provides a safe,

healthy environment where Asian elephants are secure and comfortable. Our

breeding program is one of the most flourishing of its kind, with twenty

births thus far.

 

*Understanding*

Built upon the 137 years of experience and expertise of working with

elephants and exotic animals, the *Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant

Conservation* has become a global focal point for the study of Asian

elephants. The *Ringling Bros. Center* hosts researchers, academicians and

conservationists to create new dialogue focused around animal care,

conservation and health and to exchange knowledge. Experts from around the

world visit the *Ringling Bros. Center* to study the Asian elephant,

including Dr. L.E.L. Rasmussen, Professor at Oregon Graduate Institute of

Science and Technology, and Dr. Raman Sukumar, Asian elephant expert and Dr.

Chalres Santiapillai, Sri Lankan Zoologist. Why the Ringling Bros.

Center for Elephant Conservation?

With less than 35,000 Asian elephants left in the wild, and the habitat

of those in the wild increasingly threatened, captive breeding programs like

the one at the *Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation* are vital

to the future survival of this amazing species.

 

" A concerted effort to save the Asian elephant is imperative. Zoos are

doing their best with the resources they have, but most can't afford to

maintain a large breeding group of elephants. The *Ringling Bros. and Barnum

& Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation* is dedicated to saving the Asian

elephant and has both the resources and the commitment to succeed. "

---*Jack Hanna*, Director Emeritus, Columbus Zoo

Quote from *Dr. Joel M. Howell*, AVMA (American Veterinary Medical

Association) President, " Guidelines such as those issued by the PRCA

and *Ringling

Bros. and Barnum & Bailey*® Circus can serve as effective models for other

groups and individuals using animals in entertainment. " The article in JAVMA

on June 1, 2003 went on to say, " …he visited the *Ringling Bros. and Barnum

& Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation*. He was impressed by the animal

welfare guidelines and quality of veterinary care provided by both groups,

as well as the importance their staff placed on animal care and well-being. "

Howell added, " We must encourage the highest level of animal health and

welfare for all animals, irrespective of their purpose. "

 

*Charles Santiapillai* is a zoologist and professor from Sri Lanka and is

Deputy Chair of the Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AESG), part of the

World Conservation Union (IUCN), and editor of its journal, Gajah. He works

with Dr. Sukamar, among others and is an important person within Asian

elephant conservation circles says this about the Center, " The level of

veterinary care and management is excellent and you have some of the most

dedicated people looking after these animals, with great care and

commitment. I am truly amazed at the level of care given to the elephants. "

 

Following her tour of *Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation*, *J.

B. Hancock*, Director of Communications for the American Veterinary Medical

Association, commented, " I saw, firsthand, how well-cared for these animals

are. Their elephant care team is obviously knowledgeable, highly competent

and dedicated to the welfare of the endangered Asian elephants at the

Conservation Center. I was very impressed. "

 

*Ringling Bros.* elephant trainer *Troy Metzler* explains, " Because of the

long tradition we share with our animals and their integral role in our

shows, it's important for *Ringling Bros.* to create entertaining and

learning experiences for families to see first hand how intelligent these

magnificent Asian elephants are. The kids here today will never forget

seeing an Asian elephant up close and personal and for a lifetime will have

a better sense of our shared responsibility in protecting and caring for

animals, especially those who are endangered, like the Asian elephant. " " The

elephant has always been a symbol of *The Greatest Show On Earth®*.

The *Ringling

Bros. Center* will ensure that people will be able to experience the joy and

wonder of Asian elephants up close and personal for generations to come. "

---*Kenneth Feld*, Chairman and CEO Feld Entertainment