The Pittsburgh Zoo easily earned its place as the #1 worst zoo on this year's list. The zoo harms elephants in an unbroken pattern of negligence that defies even mainstream zoo norms.
FLEUR DAWES: ‘In Defense of Animals’ list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America exposes the serious shortcomings of zoos for elephants. Elephants are not thriving in constricted zoo exhibits, no matter how fresh the paint or the addition of an acre or two. Elephant deaths continue to outpace births due to captivity-caused conditions like obesity, arthritis and foot disease. Still, zoos are spending millions of dollars on renovating or building new exhibits, even though there aren’t enough elephants to fill them… Pittsburgh Zoo easily earned its place as the #1 worst zoo on this year’s list of the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in North America… Pittsburgh Zoo and its International Conservation Center (ICC) harm elephants in an unbroken pattern of negligence that defies even mainstream zoo norms…
Despite changing public opinion and rising concern for the care of captive wild animals, zoos continue the same harmful practices for elephants: Earth’s largest land mammals continue to be captured in the wild and confined in tiny zoo exhibits that cause them to suffer and die prematurely, the use of cruel bullhooks to control elephants through fear and pain is still allowed, and important social bonds are severed when elephants are swapped between zoos like trading cards. So-called “modern” zoos use elephants to attract and entertain customers, some even forcing elephants to perform circus-style tricks under the guise of education’. SOURCE…
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