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As L.A. resident sues zoo over Billy and Tina, Cher says elephants have ‘served their time’

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The ongoing debate regarding the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo has become more heated, despite the news that Billy and Tina are set to relocate to an Oklahoma zoo, offering them increased space for exploration.

Last Friday, a local Los Angeles resident filed a lawsuit with the aim of preventing Billy and Tina from being moved to the Tulsa Zoo. The resident contends that these animals would be better served by being relocated to an animal sanctuary instead.

The legal action, aimed at obtaining an injunction from the Los Angeles County Superior Court, features a statement from the renowned singer Cher, who has long supported the cause of Billy and Tina.

In her statement, Cher expressed that “Billy and Tina have completed their prison sentences.” She believes they should be granted an opportunity to spend the rest of their lives tranquilly and with respect.

For many years, supporters of animal welfare have spoken out against the L.A. Zoo for keeping elephants in a space that is relatively confined, claiming it leads to significant health problems for these creatures. Notable figures such as Lily Tomlin and the late Bob Barker have also joined this crusade, advocating on behalf of the elephants.

California

The Los Angeles Zoo has temporarily halted its elephant program and transferred Bill and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo. However, animal welfare activists are urging that these sickly elephants be moved to a sanctuary instead.

Jewel, aged 61, and Shaunzi, aged 53, had to be humanely put down due to health problems linked to their advanced age, as the zoo reported. Now, only Billy and Tina remain, residing in separate areas within a spacious 6.5-acre elephant sanctuary.

Zoo administrators have consistently maintained that they offer top-notch care for their elephants, and when they disclosed in April that Billy and Tina were moving to the Tulsa Zoo, they didn’t mention any health concerns. The reason for the transfer is that the Tulsa Zoo has recently expanded its elephant habitat, which now includes a large barn (36,650 square feet) and a 10-acre wooded preserve. Alongside five other Asian elephants, Billy and Tina will now reside in this expansive new space.

On a Thursday appearance before the City Council’s budget committee, LA Zoo Director and CEO Denise Verret expressed her confidence that Tulsa offers an ideal setting for elephants to prosper, highlighting the social advantages they experience when living together with their kind.

In my perspective, I’m deeply moved by the legal action initiated by John Kelly, a compassionate soul and long-term Angeleno. This lawsuit, he has brought forth, lists Verret as the defendant and sheds light on the health predicaments that elephants may face in captivity, one of which is “zoochosis,” a mental affliction stemming from confinement.

Billy and Tina’s living situation is extremely poor, characterized by minimal shade and compacted sand that reportedly inflicts significant harm on their feet, as stated in the legal complaint.

Regardless of whether a zoo enclosure is large or small, whether it’s called a preserve or an exhibit, Melissa Lerner, a lawyer for Kelly, stated during an interview following a press conference at the zoo’s entrance on Sunday, it’s undeniably cruel to keep animals in such conditions.

Since at least 2008, individuals have voiced concern over Billy’s habitual head-bobbing, a symptom potentially indicating brain damage, as reported by In Defense of Animals. This organization placed the L.A. Zoo at the top of its “10 Worst Zoos for Elephants” list for the second consecutive year in 2020.

Billy, who is now 40 years old, visited the Los Angeles Zoo when he was just four back in 1989. Tina, on the other hand, made her appearance at the zoo when she was 44, which happened in 2010. As per the zoo’s website records, these are their respective arrival years. Interestingly, Asian elephants typically live up to around 60 years in their natural habitats.

As a movie buff, I didn’t receive an immediate comment from the spokesperson of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass on Sunday. Instead, a representative from the zoo diverted my questions to the city attorney’s office; their spokesperson, however, was unable to offer comments regarding ongoing legislation.

Voices

Letters to the Editor: Free Billy the elephant from the L.A. Zoo now. His life is at stake

Previously, the zoo had assured everyone that their elephant, Gita, was healthy; however, she passed away several months after that announcement. Presently, they are placing Billy in a sanctuary instead.

As an ardent supporter for the well-being of elephants, I recently took action by filing a motion aimed at temporarily halting their relocation. This step allows the City Council and me time to explore the feasibility of transferring these magnificent creatures to a sanctuary instead.

During a budget meeting on Monday, Blumenfield requested that Verret prepare a document detailing both the expenses and advantages of shifting to the Tulsa Zoo. He implored Verret to guarantee that the elephants wouldn’t be relocated until the City Council had a chance to examine the report and make a decision on it.

As a passionate movie buff and dedicated caretaker, let me assure you that I always prioritize decisions that are in the best welfare of our beloved zoo animals, especially the majestic elephants. This commitment has been my driving force since my appointment by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2019.

During the budget meeting on Thursday, Blumenfield once more posed questions to Verret, pointing out that Last Chance for Animals has proposed financing the relocation of Billy and Tina to a sanctuary.

As a seasoned film critic, I can confirm that no definitive release date has been announced yet for this highly anticipated cinematic collaboration between L.A. and Tulsa’s zoos. Moreover, it appears that the two parties have yet to ink their contracts, which suggests that we might need to keep our eyes peeled for further updates in the near future.

Kelly’s lawsuit further argues that the public and elected officials have been excluded from the decision-making process, with City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez stating at budget hearings that Verret possesses the authority to relocate elephants to Tulsa without obtaining approval from the city council.

California

The LA City Council has mandated an investigation into the reasons behind the euthanasia of Asian elephants, Jewel and Shaunzi, at the LA Zoo.

On a Sunday afternoon, approximately 35 demonstrators, most belonging to the organization Los Angeles for Animals, gathered outside the L.A. Zoo, displaying “Free Billy” placards and vocalizing slogans such as “Mother’s Day isn’t an excuse for animal cruelty.” They implored passersby to refrain from visiting the zoo.

Elvia Sedano, a resident of Los Angeles, stated, “Ignoring issues doesn’t solve them,” while she has been advocating for the elephants at the zoo nearly every Sunday for two years. “Therefore, we’ll continue to return. We’ll persist in our efforts until they take appropriate action.

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2025-05-12 17:31

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