PETA Statement: Deadly OKC Zoo Elephant Program Must Be Shut Down

For Immediate Release:
January 31, 2016

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

Chai did not have to die this way, in this crowded zoo, when she had had a chance to live in a sanctuary and be watched over and cared for. She endured a lifetime of unthinkable violations, including at least 112 instances of artificial insemination. Less than a year ago, the Woodland Park Zoo denied her the chance of a real retirement and sent her to the Oklahoma City Zoo, where an elephant calf died in October of a highly fatal disease associated with captive elephants. For the sake of these elephants’ health and safety, PETA is calling for this elephant exhibit to be shut down immediately and for the elephants to finally be sent to an accredited sanctuary, where they will never die alone and unassisted as Chai did.

PETA’s motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to use for entertainment,” and more information about elephants in captivity is available on our website here.