Who We Are
We are compassionate citizens from all walks of life, committed to freeing the five remaining Oregon Zoo elephants from the harsh realities of captivity.
We bring to light the suffering they, and all captive elephants, endure, creating a groundswell of public pressure to end the Oregon Zoo’s breeding, acquisition and importation of elephants. Our end goal is the gradual phase-out of the elephant exhibit and the relocation of the elephants to sanctuary.
What We Do
Research
We regularly submit public records requests to monitor current living conditions and health of the Oregon Zoo elephants. We study Metro budget documents and records for information about the zoo’s financial status and generous taxpayer subsidy.
Publicize
Animal abuse thrives in darkness. We use every available platform to inform the public about the plight of the Oregon Zoo elephants who suffer and die from a variety of painful illnesses and conditions directly related to their captivity. This includes social media; demonstrations and rallies; billboards; newspaper inserts; bus posters; print ads; TV, radio and print media; letters to editor, and opinion columns.
Expose
We shine a light on the lies and propaganda generated by Metro and Oregon Zoo officials to reveal their appalling greed, arrogance and indifference to the elephants’ suffering.
Confront
We challenge Metro and Oregon Zoo officials at every opportunity including, public hearings, meetings, emails, phone calls and written letters urging them to release the elephants to lives of freedom, health and comfort.
Build Alliances
Our 2018 International Captive Elephant Conference and Film Festival brought together a strong coalition of groups, organizations, institutions, individuals, experts now working together to free the elephants.
Enlist
We appeal to and encourage compassionate people and concerned taxpayers everywhere, to join our movement.
Our Story
In 2008, voters passed a $125 million zoo bond measure. Metro, the publicly funded agency which owns and operates the zoo, and Oregon Zoo officials promised to spend the funds to provide more humane conditions for the animals, including a 200 acre elephant reserve where Packy (the Oregon Zoo’s much beloved signature elephant) might retire.
In a classic bait and switch, Metro and Oregon Zoo officials instead spent $59 million to expand the onsite exhibit from 1.2 acres to a little over 4 acres.
Devoid of any natural style or elements, the new exhibit, “Elephant Lands”, is a concrete, glass and metal box with artificial displays.
After the exhibit opened in 2015, Oregon Zoo officials announced the launch of an aggressive elephant breeding program. The dramatic increase in the number of elephants, would enable the zoo to supply elephants to other zoos, theme parks and performance venues.
Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants formed in 2008 to ensure that the bond included the promised elephant preserve. In 2013 we incorporated as a non-profit to bolster our ability to respond to this betrayal of the public trust.
The F.O.Z.E. Story
Since our campaign to free the elephants began, five Oregon Zoo elephants have died. Tusko and Rama, both suffering from tuberculosis, died as a direct result of captivity. Packy, afflicted with many of the same illnesses and conditions including drug resistant TB, was euthanized in 2017. A herpes virus killed Lily at the tender age of six. Chendra miscarried in 2019.
