Urge Myakka Elephant Ranch to Stop Exploiting Elephants
At Myakka Elephant Ranch, elephants who were exploited in cruel circuses or media productions for years are now being forced into participating in bathing, feeding, toenail painting, and photo interactions instead of being given a retirement with desperately needed rest and relaxation. Recently, Myakka Elephant Ranch has acquired more elephants just to double down on this abuse.
In 2024, African elephants Suzy and Baba, who were formerly used for film and TV productions, were brought to the roadside zoo to join Asian elephant Patty, who had been sold to Myakka Elephant Ranch after decades of performing in circuses. In 2025, Asian elephants Margaret, Libby, and Cameron Lee were acquired from another circus exhibitor. Cameron Lee is the youngest elephant kept by the few remaining exhibitors who use elephants for entertainment. Cameron had to be separated from his mother to be exploited at Myakka Elephant Ranch. This maternal relationship would exist much longer in the wild. All of these elephants are now forced into encounters with complete strangers on a daily basis. These elephants need your help now more than ever!
Elephants are sensitive, highly intelligent animals who need space to roam, forage, socialize, and play on their own terms. Elephants form lifelong bonds with members of their herd, and herds carry generational knowledge about how to survive the complexities of living in a natural habitat. Elephants used in circuses and direct encounters are denied the opportunity to satisfy their instinctual needs and desires. They’re trained using abusive methods to force them into submission, including being jabbed and beaten with bullhooks—sharp weapons that resemble a fireplace poker—so they will perform unnatural tricks on command.
It’s not too late for the Barreda family, which runs the roadside zoo, to give these elephants the rest and relaxation they deserve by retiring them to an accredited sanctuary. Please urge them to do what’s right.
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