A brief history of our campaign

Winkie and Penny are the Asian and African elephants, respectively, who live at the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, WI. Our citizen group commenced a campaign to improve Penny and Winkie's circumstances nearly a year and a half ago. We have diligently researched and monitored the exhibit since then, and have found:

• Chaining - The elephants are chained in place, by two feet, 16 1/2 hours a day. Unable to take more than a step or two in either direction, they are frequently found standing in their own urine and feces, or straining to avoid doing so.
• Chronically damp floor - Winkie and Penny must stand on a hard, unheated concrete floor which is often wet with water and waste. This is widely recognized as contributing to foot and joint problems. Winkie, in fact, suffers from chronic infections causing painful lesions on her feet.
• Small enclosure, no enrichment - Penny and Winkie live out at least two thirds of their life in an enclosure no larger than a three-car garage. Within this dimly lit concrete enclosure there are no enrichments to engage the elephants. Animals of this level of intelligence need constant change in their environment to avoid boredom, which can lead to stress, frustration and aggression.
• A consistent pattern of abuse - Over the last year, we have documented a consistent pattern of abuse of Winkie and Penny, including excessive and forceful use of the bullhook, the grabbing of twisting of Penny's ear, and a deep puncture wound above Winkie's eye. During a recent visit, noted elephant authority Ray Ryan indicated to zoo visitors recent marks on the elephants from forceful bullhook strikes to the head, shoulders, trunk, hind quarters, legs and feet.

As part of our investigation, we have videotaped keepers forcefully hitting the elephants with bullhooks (a shaft with a cluster of metal hooks on one end). We have also documented other maltreatment. After decades of abuse, the reality of Penny and Winkie's existence at Vilas Zoo was finally exposed. A shocked public could not believe that the Vilas elephants have been chained in place for over two-thirds of their lives. A placard at the elephant exhibit gave the impression that they were chained for limited periods to allow for feeding or veterinary procedures.

It was recently determined that the Henry Vilas Zoo elephants would have to be relocated, as the zoo's facility is inadequate. The elected governing authority of the zoo, County Executive Kathleen Falk, will soon be deciding where the elephants will go. Her decisions should guided by the best interests of the elephants. Winkie, an older Asian elephant has the opportunity to be retired to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, TN, an 800-acre natural habitat refuge for Asian elephants. The Humane Society of the United States has urged the County Executive to retire Winkie to the Sanctuary as they consider it to be one of the best facilities in the nation for Asian elephants. Behind-the-scenes politics, however, may prevent her retirement to this renowned facility. Winkie, despite the appeals of thousands of citizens, could be shunted to a zoo and may be chained again. Once within the zoo system, she could be transferred from zoo to zoo, and would never have a permanent home.

Penny, the African elephant, will likely go to another zoo. Unfortunately, she is an elephant of breeding age and it will be difficult to relocate her to a sanctuary. To date, the parties involved in Penny's placement have been unwilling to disclose all the relocation options that are being considered for her.

Back to our home page