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href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/elephant-breeding-reproduction-captive-zoo-management/" title="How Do Elephants Breed" >BABY ELEPHANTS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/bulls-behind-bars/" title="Bulls Behind Bars" >BULLS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/closed-closing-elephant-zoo-exhibits/" title="Closed elephant exhibits" >CLOSED EXHIBITS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/zoos-dont-conserve-wild-animals/" title="Zoos Don’t Conserve Wild Animals, They Consume Them" >CONSERVATION CON</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/elephants-face-danger/" title="Elephants Face Many Dangers & Challenges in Their Home Countries" >DANGERS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/ethical-elephant-sanctuary/" title="Elephant Sanctuaries: Real vs Fake" >FAKE SANCTUARIES</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/kids-4-elephants/" title="Kids 4 Elephants" >Kids 4 Elephants</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/experts-agree-zoos-harm-good/" title="Zoos Do More Harm Than Good" >ZOO HARMS</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/" title="Latest News" >Latest News</a></li> <li class="last"><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/take-action/" title="Take Action" >Take Action</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="page-content row-padding--large"> <div class="row"> <div class="large-7 columns"> <h2>In Defense of Animals has a proven commitment to ending elephant captivity</h2> <p>The goal of In Defense of Animals' Elephant Campaign is to end elephant exploitation through eliminating demand for elephant captivity in zoos, as well as their capture, killing or harassment in the wild, through public education and advocacy.</p> <div class="video-container" align="center"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GrySuSfDTIg?rel=0" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <p>Around 393 elephants are currently imprisoned in North American zoos, circuses, and private properties, including those kidnapped from the wild or born in captivity. Some elephants have been held in solitary confinement, without any other elephants to keep them company, for decades. Many of them appear on our list of the <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10 worst zoos for elephants</strong></a>.</p> <ul> <li><strong><a class="js-readmoreb" href="#">The Issue with Elephants in Captivity and Circuses</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a class="js-readmoreb" href="#help">How We Help End Elephant Captivity</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="#takeaction">Take Action against Elephant Captivity</a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="#discovermore">Latest Elephant News</a></strong></li> </ul> <p class="text-center"><a class="button campaign-readmore-button js-readmore" href="#">Show more</a><a class="button campaign-readmore-button js-readless" href="#">Show less</a></p> <div class="read-more-content"> <h5><strong>Elephant Captivity</strong></h5> <p>Elephants are highly complex, social animals. In the wild, they live in extended family groups. Elephants form lifelong bonds and females stay with their mothers, aunts, sisters and other female relatives for their entire lives. Males stay with their mothers for up to 15 years. These intelligent animals can travel many miles a day.</p> <p><strong>Today’s zoos are unable to meet the great physical, psychological and social needs of elephants.</strong> Most zoos confine elephants to exhibits a few acres or less in size, a tiny fraction of an elephants’ natural home range. They <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/cameron-park-zoo-elephant-captivity/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>socially deprive elephants</strong></a> by keeping them in unnaturally small groups of often unrelated individuals who are serially transferred from zoo to zoo. Many of these zoos claim that they are somehow providing a <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/ethical-elephant-sanctuary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sanctuary for elephants</strong></a>; this couldn’t be further from the truth.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://www.idausa.org/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/elephantpittsburghzooblog31120-duplicate.jpg" alt="" width="350" /><br /><em>Elephants suffer in zoos and die long before their natural lifespan</em></p> <p><strong>Harmful zoo conditions and practices shorten elephant lifespan by decades. Elephants live longer in the wild than in captivity, even when droughts and poaching are taken into account.</strong> Captive female Asian elephants in North America have a median life expectancy of 36 years, compared to 42 years for wild elephants who were forced to work in an Asian logging camp! One study of Asian elephants in European zoos found they had a median lifespan of just 19 years! Captive African elephants fare even worse, with an average lifespan of just 33 years in North America, compared to 56 years for free-ranging elephants in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. <strong>For elephants, captivity kills.</strong></p> <p><strong>Confinement in small spaces leads to brain damage.</strong> Our <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2021/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2021 list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants</strong></a> highlights a breakthrough <a href="https://www.idausa.org/assets/files/assets/uploads/pdf/brain-study-jacobs-et-al.-2021.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>study</strong></a> by neuroscience professor Bob Jacobs and other leading scientists. It concludes that elephants, among other large-brained mammals, suffer a deterioration of brain function when forced to live in small captive environments. The outer evidence of zoo brain damage is <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/experts-agree-zoos-harm-good/what-is-zoochosis/#what-is-zoochosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>zoochosis</strong></a> — the repetitive, stereotypical behavior endemic to zoos and marine parks. The minuscule space and the lack of stimulation or ability to roam, forage or exercise in zoos are all contributing factors that diminish brain size and function. Zoo captives suffer thinning of the cerebral cortex — the part of the brain involved in voluntary movement and higher cognitive function, including memory, planning, and decision-making. Read the study summary <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-neural-cruelty-of-captivity-keeping-large-mammals-in-zoos-and-aquariums-damages-their-brains-142240" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>here</strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>Captivity in zoos is not conservation for elephants.</strong> Zoos sell a <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/zoos-dont-conserve-wild-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conservation con</strong></a>, falsely claiming that exhibiting elephants is part of efforts to ensure the <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/species-survival-plan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>species’ survival</strong></a>. In fact zoos are consumers, not conservers, of elephants. <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/urge-white-oak-conservation-to-not-breed-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zoo captive breeding programs</strong></a> fail to sustain the population of captive elephants —  <strong>elephants die faster in zoos than they can reproduce.</strong> Instead of conserving wild elephant habitats, <a href="https://www.idausa.org/shock-approval-elephants-will-torn-africa-imprisoned/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>zoos take elephants from the wild</strong></a> to restock their dwindling elephant populations. There are more restrictions in place today, but as recently as 2016, elephants were stolen from Africa. Wild elephant populations, already threatened by habitat loss and illegal poaching, face additional threats from zoo collectors.</p> <h5><strong>Elephants in Circuses</strong></h5> <p><strong><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/end-traveling-circus-cruelty-nation-wide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elephants in circuses</a> are trained with physical punishment: bullhooks, whips, electrical prods and other devices are routinely used to inflict pain and fear to force elephants to perform.</strong></p> <p>In circuses, elephants are held against their will and denied all the conditions they need to thrive.</p> <ul> <li>Elephants in circuses are forced to spend <strong>days at a time chained</strong> in cramped train cars or trucks, eating and sleeping in their own excrement, exposed to temperature extremes, for much of their lives. When not in transit, they are chained or confined in tiny pens, usually on concrete which is extremely harmful to elephants.</li> <li>Elephants in circuses are forced to perform unnatural tricks that are often damaging to their bodies.</li> <li>Elephants in circuses often display neurotic behavior, such as swaying and head-bobbing, from boredom and severe stress.</li> <li>Elephants in circuses suffer from painful foot and joint disease, a leading cause of premature death in captive elephants, from standing too long on hard surfaces and in their own waste.</li> <li>Elephants in circuses frequently contract or are exposed to a human strain of tuberculosis (TB). TB is known to thrive in the cramped, close quarters that they are forced to endure day in and day out. Elephants known to be suffering from TB have been forced into contact with the public, causing risks of <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/shut-down-elephant-borne-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zoo-related disease</strong></a>.</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://www.idausa.org/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/elephants.jpg" alt="" width="350" /><br /><em>Elephants in circuses are held against their will and denied all the conditions they need to thrive.</em></p> <p><strong>Most elephants performing in circuses today were captured from the wild,</strong> violently separated from their mothers, and shipped to the US when they were very young. Every Asian elephant taken from the wild has endured a brutal breaking process known as “the crush”, which involves beatings with nail-studded sticks, sleep-deprivation, hunger, and thirst, to break the animal’s spirit.</p> <p>Elephants born into captivity in circuses are routinely torn from their mothers as infants younger than two years old, for training and performance.</p> <p><strong>Circuses do not contribute in any way to elephant conservation. The brutality of circus life kills elephants so quickly that the death rate exceeds the birth rate.</strong></p> <a name="help"></a> <p>No baby elephant born to a circus will ever be returned to the wild. The few captive breeding programs that exist in circuses are all about replenishing the supply of tormented performers who will die prematurely as the result of their treatment and living conditions. <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/elephants-in-circuses-deserve-the-gift-of-freedom-this-holiday-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sign our alert</strong></a> to free circus elephants.</p> <h5><strong>What We Do To Protect Elephants</strong></h5> <ul> <li>We publish the annual <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10 Worst Zoos for Elephants</strong></a> list, which exposes the worst zoo failings and raises the profile of captive elephant suffering across the nation.</li> <li>We act as a watchdog for zoos failing elephants and as an advocate for the transfer of elephants to sanctuaries.</li> <li>We call for a permanent end to zoo elephant exhibits, including any and all bogus breeding activities, and for the transfer of victims to accredited sanctuaries. Since 1991, over 30 zoos in North America have <strong><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/closed-closing-elephant-zoo-exhibits/">closed or are closing</a></strong> their exhibits.</li> <li>We lobby for elephants to remain in the wild where they belong, and for stronger laws to protect them.</li> </ul> <h5><strong>What You Can Do To Protect Elephants</strong></h5> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://secure.everyaction.com/Ug7VJx9sB0qy4MDmMj7vMQ2?utm_source=ida%20website&utm_medium=10%20Worst%20Zoos%20List%202020&utm_campaign=main%20list%20launch">Fight elephant captivity and exploitation</a></strong> by signing up to become an <strong>Animal Advocate</strong> with a regular gift to In Defense of Animals</li> <li>Encourage your friends and family to <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/ethical-elephant-sanctuary/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>learn about real elephant sanctuaries</strong></a> — and use our <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>10 Worst Zoos</strong></a> list to show them how captivity kills elephants!</li> <li><strong>Don’t visit</strong> any circus which uses elephants or other animals for entertainment</li> <li><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/take-action/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Take action</strong></a> against elephant captivity by signing our alerts</li> <li><strong>Educate</strong> yourself and others about elephant captivity by reading <strong><a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">our latest news on elephants</a></strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="large-5 columns"> <div class="campaign--action-right"> <h3>99% RANGE RESTRICTION</h3> <p>wild: 2,470 acres (minimum)<br /> zoos: 1.6 to 10 acres </p> </div> <div class="campaign--action-right"> <h3>CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS</h3> <p>live shorter, disease-ridden lives</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a name="howwehelp"></a> <section class="campaign--help"> <div class="header-row-blog row column"> <h2>10 Worst Zoos for Elephants 2024</h2> </div> <div class="campaign--help--blocks row column"> <div class="post-slider row-margin--small"> <div class="post-slider__inner"> <div class="c-slider c-slider--blog"> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_1"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/bm-combo-twz-m-billy-la-zoo-standing-trick-screenshot-crop-0824-credit-hollywoodcitygal-instagram-m-tina-elephant-female-august-1-los-angeles-zoo-enhanced-0824-credit-elephant-guardians-of-los-angeles-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#1 Worst Zoo - Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Los Angeles, California</h4> <p>Two Elephants Too Long in a Tiny Exhibit</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_1">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_2"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-happy-elephant-lying-down-bronx-zoo-1024-credit-nonhuman-rights-project-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#2 Worst Zoo - Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York</h4> <p>Deeply Deprived for Half a Century</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_2">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_3"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-m-screenshot-elephant-lucy-in-frigid-weather-edmonton-zoo-0122-credit-lucys-edmonton-advocates-project-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#3 Worst Zoo - Edmonton Valley Zoo, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada</h4> <p>Held in a Frozen Hell for 47 Years</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_3">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_4"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-cameron-park-zoo-waco-tx-078-1024-credit-in-defense-of-animals-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#4 Worst Zoo - Cameron Park Zoo, Waco, Texas</h4> <p>A Life Without Herd or Hope</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_4">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_5"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-asha-elephant-two-tails-ranch-291-0924-credit-free-all-captive-elephants-face-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#5 Worst Zoo - Two Tails Ranch, Williston, Florida</h4> <p>From Sanctuary Dream to Solitary Nightmare</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_5">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_6"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-cheyenne-mountain-zoo-elephants-047-0623-credit-nonhuman-rights-project-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#6 Worst Zoo - Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Colorado Springs, Colorado</h4> <p>Sick Senior Circus</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_6">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_7"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-cora-and-tembo-elephants-943-0824-credit-topeka-zoo-facebook-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#7 Worst Zoo - Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, Topeka, Kansas</h4> <p>Slow Death in a Desolate Environment</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_7">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_8"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-combo-twz-babe-elephant-little-rock-zoo-657-0124-credit-littlerockzoo-instagram-m-zina-elephant-little-rock-zoo-974-0724-credit-littlerockzoo-instagram-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#8 Worst Zoo - Little Rock Zoo, Little Rock, Arkansas</h4> <p>Callous Confinement of Old Elephants is Elder Abuse</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_8">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_9"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-mai-thai-schottzie-and-jati-elephants-936-0219-credit-lynn-smart-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#9 Worst Zoo - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Cincinnati, Ohio</h4> <p>Senior Elephants Deserve Serenity in Sanctuary</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_9">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_10"> <div class="campaign_campaign_round_image"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/ttwz2024/be-twz-phoenix-zoo-200-1124-credit-in-defense-of-animals-1224.jpg" /> </div> <div class="campaign_blog_content"> <h4>#10 Worst Zoo - Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, Arizona</h4> <p>Growing Old All Alone in a Barren 1-Acre Exhibit</p> <a class="button button--yellow" href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/10-worst-zoos-for-elephants-2024/#twz24_10">Read more</a> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <section class="campaign--blog"> <div class="header-row-blog row column"> <h2>What you can do</h2> </div> <a name="takeaction"></a> <div class="header-row-blog row"> <div class="column medium-9 small-12"> <h3>Take Action</h3> </div> <div class="column medium-3 small-12 text-right"> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/take-action/" class="campaign--blog-read-all-link">See all actions > </a> </div> </div> <div class="campaign--blog--blocks row column"> <div class="post-slider row-margin--small"> <div class="post-slider__inner"> <div class="c-slider c-slider--blog"> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-phoenix-zoos-solitary-elephant-indu-to-sanctuary-before-its-too-late/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-indu-elephant-840-0219-credit-phoenix-zoo-facebook-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-phoenix-zoos-solitary-elephant-indu-to-sanctuary-before-its-too-late/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Send Phoenix Zoo’s Solitary Elephant Indu To Sanctuary Before It’s Too Late </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-dallas-zoos-cramped-and-bored-elephants-to-sanctuary/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-elephant-family-738-0823-credit-dallas-zoo-facebook-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-dallas-zoos-cramped-and-bored-elephants-to-sanctuary/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Send Dallas Zoo’s Cramped & Bored Elephants to Sanctuary </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-la-zoo-elephants-billy-tina/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-combo-elephant-billy-at-la-zoo-001-0524-credit-los-angeles-for-animals-tina-elephant-los-angeles-zoo-0224-credit-katherine-jurgens-1124.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-la-zoo-elephants-billy-tina/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> End Elephants Billy & Tina’s Torment At The Los Angeles Zoo </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-cincinnati-zoo-elephants/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-cincinnati-zoo-elephants-0224-credit-lisa-hubbard-cincinnati-zoo--botanical-garden-facebook-0724.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-cincinnati-zoo-elephants/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Free Cincinnati Zoo’s Elephants From Their Empty, Cramped Quarters To Sanctuary </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/abq-biopark-elephants/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-combo-irene-elephant-225-0321-albert-elephant-048-1123-screenshot-alice-elephant-0421-credit-abq-biopark-facebook-rozie-007-0424-credit-abq-biopark-city-of-albuquerque-0624.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/abq-biopark-elephants/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Tell ABQ Biopark to Send Its Sick and Suffering Elephants to Sanctuary </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/buttonwood-park-zoo-elephants-ruth-emily/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-emily-ruth-elephants-447-0822-credit-buttonwood-park-zoo-facebook-0424.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/buttonwood-park-zoo-elephants-ruth-emily/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Tell Buttonwood Park Zoo: Send Sad, Tormented Elephant Emily to Sanctuary Now </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/halt-the-breeding-bonanza-at-sedgwick-county-zoo/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-three-elephants-232-0316-credit-sedgewick-county-zoo-facebook-0324.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/halt-the-breeding-bonanza-at-sedgwick-county-zoo/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Halt the Breeding Bonanza at Sedgwick County Zoo </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-zoo-atlanta-elephants/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-zoo-atlanta-720-0822-credit-zoo-atlanta-facebook-0224.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-zoo-atlanta-elephants/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Send Atlanta's Bored, Stressed Elephants from a Fake Savanna to a Real Sanctuary </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-elephants/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-and-aquarium-adult-female-elephants-2019-credit-omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-and-aquarium-facebook-1123.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-elephants/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Free the Jam-Packed Elephants at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-elephants-happy-patty-bronx-zoo/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-combo-bronx-zoo-patty-2019-credit-gigi-glendininng-bronx-zoo-happy-2018-credit-in-defense-of-animals-1123.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/free-elephants-happy-patty-bronx-zoo/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Free Lonely Elephants Happy and Patty From Their Suffering at the Bronx Zoo! </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </section> <a name="launcher"></a> <div class="banner-box default"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/rectangle-238-2x-duplicate.png" class="show-for-small-only banner-box-bg-image-mobile"> <img src="/assets/files/campaign/Elephants/rectangle-238-2x-duplicate.png" class="hide-for-small-only banner-box-bg-image-desktop"> <div class="row-padding--medium row column"> <div class="banner-box__form"> <h2>Become an elephant defender</h2> <p>In Defense of Animals’ captive elephant campaign raises public awareness about the plight of elephants in zoos and circuses, and is a powerful force for dramatic change in the care and housing of captive elephants in the US.</p> <p>Will you join the fight against elephant captivity?</p> <div class="banner-box__form__fields"> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/donate-to-end-elephant-exploitation/?utm_source=website&utm_medium=campaignpage&utm_campaign=elephants" class="button--yellow">GIVE</a> </div> <div class="banner-box__form__text"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <a name="discovermore"></a> <section class="campaign--blog"> <div class="header-row-blog row"> <div class="column medium-9 small-12"> <h3>Discover more</h3> </div> <div class="column medium-3 small-12 text-right"> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/" class="campaign--blog-read-all-link">Read all news > </a> </div> </div> <div class="campaign--blog--blocks row column"> <div class="post-slider row-margin--small"> <div class="post-slider__inner"> <div class="c-slider c-slider--blog"> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-phoenix-zoos-solitary-elephant-indu-to-sanctuary-before-its-too-late/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-indu-elephant-840-0219-credit-phoenix-zoo-facebook-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-phoenix-zoos-solitary-elephant-indu-to-sanctuary-before-its-too-late/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Send Phoenix Zoo’s Solitary Elephant Indu To Sanctuary Before It’s Too Late </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/rex-a-lifetime-of-suffering-ends-at-the-oklahoma-city-zoo/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-rex-screenshot-1-0125-credit-oklahoma-city-zoo-and-botanical-garden-facebook-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/rex-a-lifetime-of-suffering-ends-at-the-oklahoma-city-zoo/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Rex: A Lifetime of Suffering Ends at the Oklahoma City Zoo </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-dallas-zoos-cramped-and-bored-elephants-to-sanctuary/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-elephant-family-738-0823-credit-dallas-zoo-facebook-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/send-dallas-zoos-cramped-and-bored-elephants-to-sanctuary/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Send Dallas Zoo’s Cramped & Bored Elephants to Sanctuary </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Take action</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-hollywood-stars-demand-freedom-for-elephants-la-named-1-worst-zoo-for-2nd-year/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/be-combo-twz-mayim-bialik-8087-edit-1124-credit-storm-santos-m-billy-la-zoo-standing-trick-screenshot-0824-credit-hollywoodcitygal-instagram-james-roday-rodriguez-1124-credit-matthias-clamer-0125.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-hollywood-stars-demand-freedom-for-elephants-la-named-1-worst-zoo-for-2nd-year/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> MEDIA RELEASE: Hollywood Stars Demand Freedom for Elephants: LA Named #1 Worst Zoo for 2nd Year </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-phoenix-zoo-to-shut-elephant-exhibit-after-placing-10-on-worst-zoos-list/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/be-twz-phoenix-zoo-200-1124-credit-in-defense-of-animals-1224.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-phoenix-zoo-to-shut-elephant-exhibit-after-placing-10-on-worst-zoos-list/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> MEDIA RELEASE: Phoenix Zoo to Shut Elephant Exhibit After Placing #10 on Worst Zoos List </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-zoo-elephants-age-rapidly-die-slowly-la-zoo-named-1-worst-zoo-for-2-years-running/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-combo-twz-m-billy-la-zoo-standing-trick-screenshot-crop-0824-credit-hollywoodcitygal-instagram-m-tina-elephant-female-august-1-los-angeles-zoo-enhanced-0824-credit-elephant-guardians-of-los-angeles-1224-v2.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-zoo-elephants-age-rapidly-die-slowly-la-zoo-named-1-worst-zoo-for-2-years-running/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> MEDIA RELEASE: Zoo Elephants Age Rapidly, Die Slowly: LA Zoo Named #1 Worst Zoo for 2 Years Running </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/success-in-sabah-saving-elephants-in-the-wild-in-malaysia/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-pygmy-elephants-kinabatangan-river-sabah-884-0213-source-shutterstock-1224.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/success-in-sabah-saving-elephants-in-the-wild-in-malaysia/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> Success In Sabah: Saving Elephants In The Wild In Malaysia </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/update-osh-the-elephants-sanctuary-arrival-highlights-stunning-zoo-admission/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-combo-osh-elephant-oakland-zoo-132-0924-credit-karen-bonadio-billy-in-la-zoo-2-0523-credit-free-billy-david-casselman-elephant-tina-la-zoo-355-0724-credit-los-angeles-for-animals-1124.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/update-osh-the-elephants-sanctuary-arrival-highlights-stunning-zoo-admission/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> UPDATE: Osh the Elephant's Sanctuary Arrival Highlights Stunning Zoo Admission </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-hospice-care-is-inadequate-for-cruelly-confined-buttonwood-park-zoo-elephant/"> <div class="post-box__image" style="background-image:url('/assets/components/phpthumbof/cache/bm-buttonwood-park-zoo-2-ruth-credit-friends-of-ruth-and-emily-1024.60891b44ceb028bcc0ed8d68a7e0b2c0.jpg');"> </div> <div class="post-box__cover-v"> </div> </a> <a href="https://www.idausa.org/campaign/elephants/latest-news/media-release-hospice-care-is-inadequate-for-cruelly-confined-buttonwood-park-zoo-elephant/"> <div class="post-box expandall "> <div class="post-box__content"> <div class="post-box__content__name"> Elephants </div> <div class="post-box__content__desc "> MEDIA RELEASE: Hospice Care Inadequate for Cruelly Confined Buttonwood Park Zoo Elephant </div> <div class="post-box__button"><button class="button--yellow">Read more</button></div> </div> </a> </div> </div> <div> <a 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