Zoo to send pachyderms packing

By Jen McShane
Collegian Staff
October 18, 2006

Remember the days of peanut butter sandwiches, playing house and pretending to fly? For children, one of the most exciting places to go is the Philadelphia Zoo. America’s first zoo, located at the corner of 34th Street and Girard Avenue, is one of the city’s biggest draws, attracting people from all over the state.

Some of the most exciting animals at the zoo are the magnificent elephants. Children and adults alike are eager to see the elephants. Children can image the animals flying like Dumbo, and adults can appreciate the majesty of these enormous mammals. The size, intelligence and sociability of these lovable animals have drawn large crowds to the zoo since it first opened in 1874.

It appears that the elephants’ long reign at The Philadelphia Zoo will be ending shortly. The four elephants that make up the herd will be going to separate locations. Dulary, the 42-year-old Asian elephant, will be moved to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. The African elephants, Petal, Kallie and Bette will move to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

So, what’s the reason for the elephants “packing their trunks” and leaving? For more than two years, the zoo has been trying to raise money to create a better savanna exhibit for the elephants that would provide a natural habitat. This exhibit would offer the elephants more room to roam and forage. According to many animal activist groups, the elephants need more space and should not even be in captivity.

The cost for this project was over $20 million, and the zoo had to defer the plans for the exhibit because of a lack of fundraising and money, including financial aid from the state. The zoo then looked at renovating the current exhibit, but it was determined that this action would not be beneficial to the health of the elephants.

The current elephant exhibit meets the requirements of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, but many have criticized the quarter-acre yard for not allowing the elephants sufficient room to roam and forage.

Former Zoo President Alexander Hoskins told reporters last summer, “It’s the only responsible thing to do.” Hoskins, who was the mastermind behind the new savanna exhibit, acknowledged the difficulty of this decision.

“It would be a significant loss. It’s hard to say you’re a first-rate competing zoo without the elephants.”

After reviewing many plans, zoo officials determined that the best plan for the elephants that the zoo can afford is new homes.

“We will continue to cherish and care for the elephants, and we will forever consider them a vital part of our extended wildlife family,” said current Zoo President Vik Dewan.

The Philadelphia Zoo will pay a yearly stipend to The Elephant Sanctuary to contribute to the cost of caring for Dulary.

La Salle students and faculty have mixed feelings about the loss of the elephants. Some students are angry, such as freshman biology major Bill Cricks.

“The elephants are leaving? That’s horrible! The animal diversity the zoo once had is now incomplete,” Cricks said.

Dr. Mary Ellen McMonigle of the Psychology Department agrees with Cricks.

“I think it’s unfortunate that the children and adults won’t have the opportunity to see these magnificent animals,” she said.

Others at La Salle are indifferent to the loss of the elephants, and some are even happy. Student Clinton Graybill is one who will not miss the elephants.

“Have you ever smelled a wet elephant? Well, it smells really bad. So, I won’t miss them at all,” he said.

Whether you will miss the elephants or not, it will be painful for the zoo to lose these awesome creatures. If you like elephants, it might be wise to head down to the zoo before the elephants leave this coming spring.

mcshanej2@lasalle.edu