Source: San Antonio Current
A 47-year old Asian elephant named Nicole will be able to live the rest of her life in a sanctuary in Tennessee, finally released from captivity. She was one of three female elephants housed at the zoo. The other two—Karen and Lucky—died last year.
Nicole’s former zoo mate, Lucky, was euthanized in 2022 for undisclosed reasons. The zoo claimed in a Facebook post that Lucky “far outlived” the life expectancy of 47.5 years for an Asian elephant—the actual life expectancy is 60 years for Asian elephants in the wild.
The three elephants were termed “geriatric” at the zoo, though Nicole is not old by elephant standards.
Nicole has lived most of her life in captivity, first as a circus elephant and then as a zoo elephant. She will finally be able to live in a space where she can exhibit natural elephant behaviors such as extensive walking and foraging for food.
Unfortunately, the zoo does not plan to permanently close its elephant exhibit. It claims it will work to enlarge and improve the exhibit, contingent on support from the community and government.
Elephants walk up to 30 miles a day in the wild. The constant movement keeps them physically healthy. Not only do they not have enough room in zoos, but they will not constantly walk if they don’t have to forage for food. Elephants living sedentary lifestyles develop foot problems which can lead to infections and obesity. Their life spans are much shorter than their wild counterparts.
Elephants do not belong in zoos. Elephants that cannot be released into the wild should be transferred to sanctuaries where they have enough room to engage in their natural behaviors. The San Antonio Zoo should permanently close its elephant enclosure.
If you want to advocate for elephants, contact the zoo and ask them to leave elephants out of it.
Elephant Advocate 