Indeed, some zoos are awesome! For example, a zoo in Maryland rescued a polar bear named Alaska, a former circus performer, and provided new life in a more natural setting. Most zoos, however, cannot provide the necessary accommodations that certain species require. Elephants, for example, would normally roam tens of miles per day. No known zoo provides miles of territory for elephants to roam.

These are just a few basic ideas that would be nice if the American Zoo and Aquarium Association could enforce:

Protected Contact should be a encouraged or enforced.

Baby elephants should NOT be separated from their mothers until age 10.

Minimum enclosure size for elephants = 10 acres and one additional acre for each two elephants.

Minimum enclosure space for other animals.

Female elephants not kept alone.

American Zoo and Aquarium Association
8403 Colesville Rd.
Suite 710
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3314
Phone: 301-562-0777
Fax: 301-562-0888
www.aza.org

PETA Reports: "The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) permits its members to provide elephants with as little as one-fortieth of an acre of yard space per animal. What’s more, some accredited zoos continue to try to discipline and control these frustrated animals by chaining them for long hours and using cruel, outdated, circus-style training that includes beatings. The AZA refuses to require that zoos convert to protected contact, a safer and more humane method of elephant management that does not utilize physical punishment."

Help African elephant Maggie at the Anchorage Zoo.

Help Ruby and send her back home to Los Angeles where all her Ele-friends miss her

Prison cell at the San Antonio Zoo - smaller than the noble individual who occupies it.