Zoo critics decry elephants' care

By The Associated Press
Published: June 19, 2009

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SAN DIEGO --

Seven lumbering elephants - four of them newcomers - are the star attractions in the San Diego Zoo's biggest, most costly expansion in its 90-plus years.

But such multimillion dollar displays like the city's $45 million Elephant Odyssey are prompting an outcry from animal rights activists who view similar expansions in Denver, Los Angeles, Washington, Wichita, Kan., and Oklahoma City as part of a troubling trend.

"They increase the size of the exhibit and then cram more elephants in," said Suzanne Roy, program director of In Defense of Animals, or IDA. "Zoos are spending millions of dollars in exactly the wrong direction."

Critics cite studies finding that zoo elephants die prematurely, contract diseases and suffer debilitating conditions such as obesity and arthritis more frequently than they do in their natural habitat.

Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa has six African elephants, a spokesman said Thursday. Five are onsite, and one is on breeding loan.

The Associated Press

Tribune writer Baird Helgelson contributed to this report.