8 July to 14 July 2012

[Space4Eles]

CIRCUS:
After a lifetime of exploitation in the circus world, Asian female MINYAK (46) has died at Ringling CEC FL.
In spite of efforts by the circus to hide her death, it has now come to light that African female SANDRIN[E] (27 or 29) died during the night of 18 June at Circus Krone Germany. She had been ill for years, and had long suffered from serious joint diseases which had been exacerbated by constant chaining.

Huge protests – and a new billboard above PETA’s West Coast HQ - are confronting Ringling Blue’s 7-day run, exploiting elephants [Joey Frisco] at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles.
Ringling Red was in Houston TX, where 6 Asian elephants [Brian French] were displayed on the streets.
Ringling Gold was in Beaumont TX, exploiting Asian elephants.
In spite of objections by PETA, Carson & Barnes exploited elephants in 2 shows in East Liverpool OH. The circus was also in Steubenville OH, where Kelly and Viola [John Walker III] were coerced to perform.
AR activists plan to protest when Carson & Barnes perform with elephants in Olmsted Falls OH this weekend.
Piccadilly Circus used lone African elephant Anna Louise (31) [Tom Demry] in their exploitive show in Quakertown PA. A video has been posted online which shows Anna Louise displaying difficulty walking while giving rides.

Cora (53) and Shannon (32) [Elephant Encounters – Bill and Cindy Morris] were giving rides at Salem County Fair VA, and they are booked for the Stutsman County Fair ND.

Feld Entertainment have been granted the right to sue AR groups for “federal racketeering” over their payment to Tom Rider in the case re animal abuse.

In India, the Central Zoo Authority has recommended the seizure and rehabilitation of female elephant Padma (35) from Amar Circus for illegal ownership and for violating CZA guidelines for the care and housing of elephants.


ZOO:
Topeka Zoo underwent a 3-day inspection by the AZA, and discussions are ongoing regarding the eventual disposition of elephants Sunda (50) and Tembo (41).
Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants filed an appeal against the court decision that they had no case in their battle with the City of Seattle over the living conditions of Asian elephants Bamboo, Chai and Watoto at WPZ.

Following a meeting with PAWS - which has generated more questions - the board chairman of Toronto Zoo Canada has recommended that Toka, Thika and Iringa need to move to the sanctuary in California “ASAP.”

Twycross Zoo UK brought in 30 tonnes of sand for their 4 Asian females - Noorjahan (17), Minbu (27), Tonzi (28) and Tara (14).

Europe’s Asian bulls are being moved around for breeding purposes:
Upali (17) was transferred from Chester Zoo UK to Dublin Zoo Eire.
Budi (4) has been transferred from Dublin Zoo to Antwerp Zoo Belgium, and has been joined by bull Ming Jung (5) from Cologne Zoo Germany. In the autumn, Bun (5) from Tiblisi Zoo Georgia will move to Antwerp, and Budi will be sent to Denver Zoo USA.

IFAW and South Africa’s SPCA have condemned the proposed move of 148 wild animals, including elephants, from Namibia to the Havana National Zoo, Cuba.

Franklin Zoo NZ is to close, leaving the fate of African elephant Mila (39) uncertain again. The zoo has been unable to raise the $1.45 million it says it needs to secure Mila’s care.


WORLD – ASIA:
India: The bull calf (15 days old) who was found alone near Anaiakatti has been “reunited” with his herd.
* Among 500 large mammals, “an elephant” has died in the floods in Kaziranga NP.


WORLD – AFRICA:
Kenya: Following the death of 3 elephants in the Narok area, KWS have shot and killed 2 poachers and are pursuing 4 others.
Namibia: The government refuses to burn its 30,000kg ivory stockpile, but will seek permission from CITES to sell it on the world market.


GENERAL:
In one of the largest seizures of ivory in New York history, 2 defendants have pleaded guilty in Manhattan to offering for sale and selling a ton of ivory items worth more than $2 million.

Carol Buckley is back in the USA, and will return to India and Nepal at the end of the monsoon season.
DSWT Kenya reported that little Lorian has died (c. 1 month old), having suffered from diarrhoea from the day of his rescue; a victim of colostrum-deficiency.
DSWT has rescued a female (12 months old) from Mgeno Ranch in Tsavo NP, and she has been named Talio. She slept well and, with Tano nearby, she has calmed down.
Researcher Caitlin O’Connell Rodwell has been reporting regularly from her base in Etosha NP Namibia, where she is studying elephant society.
BEES sanctuary [Burm and Emily] in Thailand has been planting banana trees in its elephant habitat.
SOS Elephants of Chad [Stephanie Vergniault] intends to meet local children’s school fees for 2012/13, and enrol them “into the programs of saving the elephants”.
Specialist elephant vet, Dr. Paulo Martelli, has made a third visit to assess Sombo in Phnom Penh. Sombo’s feet are improving, but there is still a long way to go before they are healed.
Wildlife SOS India [Kartick and Geeta] reported that Chanchal is steadily improving; her appetite has increased, she no longer needs to support herself on her trunk, and her open wounds are starting to heal.
FAE [Soraida Salwala] reported during the week that all 3 elephants – Saithong, Boonmee and Jann - are making progress and showing signs of recovery.
WFFT [Edwin Wiek] is currently upgrading the elephant areas, and one of the enclosures is receiving enrichments donated by Animal Aid Abroad (Australia).
ENP [Lek Chailert] is caring for the newborn male calf of Mae Kham, who was rejected by his mother.


QUOTES OF THE WEEK:
"I just hope that the interaction with the elephants would lead visitors to value the importance to conserve our forests so elephants and other wildlife can continue to live and thrive." An unnamed wildlife officer defending public access to and interaction with the elephants (including calves Paloh and Jeli) at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary, Malaysia.

“You [the elephants] pay the thoughtlessness of the circus visitors with their lives.” Peter Hoffken, graduate zoologist, on the death of African female Sandrin[e] at Circus Krone. (In translation from German by Google)

"The Woodland Park Zoo, which operates on city land and use city buildings, confines the city's elephants in conditions which violate both state and local animal cruelty laws." Jason Stavers, Animal Legal Defense Fund, in the campaign to free 3 elephants from the zoo to a genuine sanctuary.

[spiritedlulu]

Excellent summary s4e ...

[Ellie]

A lot of elephant news happening this week.
Keeping up with so much information requires a monumental effort on your part S4E. The elephants and I thank you for recording and passing along elephant happenings from all over the world.

[Space4Eles]

Thank you for your kind words, Ellie, and for spiritedlulu's ongoing support.
I'm just delighted that people are finding this forum useful, making it a pleasure to contribute it to the discussion board each week.
It's so difficult to leave anything out. What may appear to be an insignificant item of news one week can turn out to be really important in the long run.