Thanks to everyone who came out in support of Packy and the elephants at the Oregon Zoo. We had a rousing rally outside Metro, held up our banner high and got lots of honks and two thumbs up from passersby. Then we packed the council chambers and 40 people gave impassioned, eloquent and articulate testimony, calling for Metro to retire Packy, stop the breeding at the Oregon Zoo and honor the 2008 zoo bond measure by creating an off-site preserve.  Supporters also declared that the new “Elephant Lands” is far from enough space for the elephants and will not provide for the complex needs of the elephants. Despite this compelling testimony, Councilor Sam Chase repeated what Metro officials always say–he told us that Elephant Lands will solve all the problems for the elephants–dismissing all of our arguments why it will not. It is time for our Metro government to listen to the will of the people. The momentum is growing and the tide is turning. We just have to stay steadfast and determined to achieve our goals. The elephants deserve no less.