Oregon Zoo makes it to Worst Zoos List!

Once again, Oregon Zoo makes it to the ten worst zoos in 2022, compiled by In Defense of Animals (IDA).

Quoting IDA,

Oregon Zoo has the distinction of making the 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list for the twelfth time this year — more than any other zoo. A high number of deaths, outbreaks of disease, including tuberculosis, and risky breeding practices are just a few of the reasons. This year, the zoo vaults to the number one position because its newly expanded exhibit has failed to protect its elephants from the dangers of aggressive behavior.

The Oregon Zoo’s highly promoted 2015 expansion “Elephant Lands” has not made any significant improvement to the wellbeing of the zoo’s five Asian elephants. In fact, in terms of bullying, it may actually be worse. The outdoor area is around 3 acres, but elephants have been programmed for thousands of years to travel far and wide, covering many miles a day. They need vast amounts of space to avoid traumatic encounters, especially with males whose aggression is exacerbated during musth.

Oregon Zoo’s elephant exhibit is completely barren of any foliage, which elephants require. A 2021 zoo-funded study ridiculously claims the new exhibit offers “complexity” and opportunities to explore because they can’t see the other side of the exhibit, but an elephant can cross 2.47 acres in less than one minute. After seven years, it’s safe to conclude they have discovered everything there is to see. Perhaps worst of all, there is nowhere to go to experience any privacy or escape assaults from other bored and stressed elephants.

The elephants’ medical records reveal an abrasion to Chendra’s eye from being repeatedly pushed against the metal feeders, possibly by Shine who has bullied her before. She has also been seen “sparring” with Samudra. Samson bit the end of Shine’s tail, resulting in a subsequent amputation. Risky placement of males and females together is no doubt due to the most recent breeding recommendations of the Species Survival Plan. This outlines plans to breed all five elephants, including Chendra, who suffered a miscarriage in 2019.

Life in the zoo is also extremely hard on the males. They have no way to express their natural urges and instincts. They are kept apart and isolated from other males. In the wild, males form bonds with other males. In captivity, their lives are just as stunted and sad as the females.

It is time for the Oregon Zoo to stop pretending that Elephant Lands is the solution to its elephant problem. In Defense of Animals calls for the zoo to immediately send the distressed and suffering Chendra to the sanctuary that has agreed to take her, halt all breeding, call off any plans to import more elephants, and finally pledge to shut down its elephant exhibit as other progressive zoos have done.

You can see the entire list here.