To Roam or Not to Roam.....Topeka Elephants are in Question.

To Roam or Not to Roam.....Topeka Elephants are in Question.

Topic Author: Stephanie Ramos

Posted: 10:07 AM Feb 9, 2010

Replies Posted: 17 comments

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What do you think of the Topeka Zoo elephants? Should they stay or should they go? There are many that love 'em here in town...and some want them to move to another location so that they have more room to roam. Understandable. But is the space at the Topeka zoo adequate enough? Councilman Jon Alcala doesn't think so at all. He would like them moved to a sanctuary in Tennesse as soon as possible and will be contacting city manager Norton Bonaparte for a council work session to talk about the idea. I visited with the elephants a couple of weeks ago to cover teh same story and they seemed comfortable. Obviously its not a jungle like environment but they didn't seem to cramped. I am for whatever is best for them.

The Topeka zoo has made it on on a list released Tuesday, January 12th 2010 of the top ten worst zoos for elephants.

This is not the first time the group "In Defense of Animals" has put the Topeka Zoo on the list.

This comes after last fall's expose of animal deaths and zoo director Mike Coker's resignation last December.

The Topeka Zoo is ranked sixth on the list... with the group citing the lack of space and hard surfaces as problems to the health of the zoo's two elephants, Tembo and Sunda. They both suffer from chronic health problems, including serious foot disease and display abnormal behaviors such as aggression and repetitive swaying.

City Communications manager, David Bevens says, "Our animals we feel are in good shape..we will take care of them as best as we can and any change in policy that need to be made will be made on the council level. We've heard from them before. Not surprised to hear from them again. There has been concern about their foot health before. We do take pictures on a weekly basis and provide them to anyone that would like them or to the USDA."

Bevens also says there are no plans at this time to remove the elephants who have both been at the zoo for more than 20 years. Tembo since March 1976 and Sunda since July 1966.

Steve Feldman, spokesperson for the association of zoos and aquariums says, "The California extremist groups pulls this stunt every year. Its a group that has no credibility or the credentials. The people of Topeka should be proud of their zoo that takes great care of their elephants. There have been challenges and that may be a reason why Topeka has been targeted."

What do you think? Should the elephants stay or go?

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

by Allen Nyhuis Location: Indianapolis on Feb 14, 2010 at 11:27 PM

Puh-lease! Please, please ignore these IDA (In Defense of Animals) folks. They could care less about animals. Their only care is for their ultra-radical political agenda, which is to shut down all zoos. Out in LA, they've built a beautiful new elephant habitat and guess what, it's not good enough for the IDA folks. They are radicals who should be ignored. Allen Nyhuis, Coauthor of America’s Best Zoos

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by donna Location: kingsport tn on Feb 14, 2010 at 05:04 AM

It would appear people are making comments that they have not even researched..you're talking about lives of animals that have been held prisoner for 20 years...go to elephants.com and see what the sanctuary has to offer then you will know the destination of the elephants...shame on you ...at least Mr Alcala has the elephant's best interest at heart

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by Miriam J Location: Lawrence KS on Feb 13, 2010 at 11:58 AM

Lois, the fact that you think it's okay for the Topeka Zoo elephants to sway by saying that other zoo elephants also sway, should tell you something. What do they all have in common? The fact that they're stuck in small zoo exhibits. That's what! Hellooooo!! And the group, In Defense of Animals, is not an extremist organization as the AZA's Feldman says. Zoo folks immediately denigrate animal advocates because they don't want the public to listen to them. The fact is IDA is an effective animal protection organization that works on many issues relating to animal welfare. Their "10 Worst Zoos for Elephants" list helps spotlight the chronic problems that exist in zoos which kill elephants by inches each day. Lack of space, hard surfaces, inadequate exercise, crushing boredom. These are places of the past that reflect a mindset of the past. We should be willing to learn from our mistakes and stop repeating them. That goes for our treatment of elephants as well.

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by Judy Bratis, r.N. Location: Los Angeles, CA on Feb 12, 2010 at 01:01 AM

No zoo anywhere can meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of an elephant. Elephants travel 30-50 miles a day. Many zoo elephants die or are euthanized due to foot problems such as osteomyelitis. They suffer and for what? To entertain you???? Zoos do not want to give up their elephants because they are "money makers". Greed is what it's all about. Please close the elephant exhibit at Topeka Zoo and be a role model. Please. Have a heart. It's about compassion for these majestic creatures and not about the pocketbook.

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by Char Location: Topeka on Feb 11, 2010 at 09:51 PM

Why can't they enlarge the elephant exercise area. It appears there is vacant land not being actively used near the zoo. The veterinarian should treat their feet problems. If those things are addressed then the elephants will be happy and so will the citizens who support the zoo. The whole zoo area should be enlarged for all the animals.

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by Connie Location: Wichita, KS on Feb 11, 2010 at 07:43 AM

I think they should stay it is their home. I'm absolutly sure that they love their keepers and that the keepers love them.

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by CarolA Location: Kansas City on Feb 10, 2010 at 12:21 PM

The AZA is simply a trade organization for the zoo industry. Their guidelines are no gold standard for elephant care and management. Giving another "pass" to the Topeka Zoo is disengenuous at best. These poor elephants need to be able to walk miles per day to be healthy. They have foot disease and neurotic behavior from severe confinement. If we really care about them then we must let them go to the Elephant Sanctuary where they can reconnect to the natural world and learn how to live like elephants again. Come on! This is the 21st century, folks! Let's put our big girl and big boy pants on and finally do the right thing here!

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by Deborah Location: Los Angeles on Feb 10, 2010 at 08:59 AM

If Mr. Feldman thinks Topeka should be proud of their zoo, then I think he is the one that should retire. The AZA loses all credibility when they defend every zoo no matter the circumstance. I suppose he would defend the recent deaths at Tulsa too. They try to distract by saying all advocates belong to these animal rights groups. I belong to no such group and I support relocation for these elephants.

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by Norma on Feb 9, 2010 at 07:23 PM

It should be up to the real experts, the Zoo's Elephant Staff, to determine what is best for the animals that they love and care for. They are the true experts, not some attention seeking fanatics based in California, who's true bottom line is to make money. Remember these groups don't think people should keep dogs, cats, birds and horses as pets. What animals will they demand be removed from zoos once elephants are no longer there?

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by Maddy Location: topeka on Feb 9, 2010 at 05:33 PM

I think they should move. I think it is pathetic to see those beautiful animals so confined.

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by Sadaf on Feb 9, 2010 at 03:57 PM

The article clearly says that the elephants have chronic health problems including serious foot disease and display behaviour such as repetitive swaying which is common of elephants with depression. I am so glad somebody in the city council understands that they must be moved to a sanctuary where they will be able to live in a spacious environment and will have much less boring lives with lots of space to roam and many more friends. What a difference from the city councillors in Honolulu who have no clue about elephants and are forcing them to live in abominable conditions at the zoo.

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by CW Location: Topeka on Feb 9, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Right on! Lois. It's time for Alcala to move on. I'll take the elephants any day. If we follow the logic of animals in captivity, then there would be no zoos and many animals once endangered would be extinct.

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by Marianne on Feb 9, 2010 at 11:23 AM

The Philly Zoo sent Dulary, then 43, to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, where she is thriving. Petal, another elephant, died within a year after Dulary was moved, of captivity-induced conditions. Two other elephants, Kallie and Bette, were shipped to a breeding-holding facility outside Pittsburgh in preparation to make more babies for display. Zoos like elephants because they bring in the customers. But most people, once educated on the facts of elephants, would never step foot in a zoo.

stephanie: Thanks for your comment.

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by Lois Location: Topeka on Feb 9, 2010 at 10:29 AM

Leave it to Alcala to jump on the band wagon if there is a negative on Topeka. I really do wish someone with more common sense from his area would run against him and get him out of there. Thanks for bringing it forward to the public that this outfit from CA. has no real credentials! That should make us feel better about keeping the elephants right where they are. Perhaps some soil could be put onto the cement of their enclosed area so as to help that situation some,but otherwise, I say, they are just doing fine. Other zoos have swaying elephants too!

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