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Stop Noah's Ark Zoo from Opening a New Elephant Exhibit
  1. Signatures
    712 out of 10,000
    Petitioning
    1. Head Keeper - Noah's Arc Zoo (+ 4 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Head Keeper - Noah's Arc Zoo (Chris Wilkinson)
      • Noah's Arc Zoo - Owner (Anthony Bush)
      • Noah's Arc Zoo - Communications Manager (Jon Woodward)
      • North Somerset Council (Peter Bryant)
      • North Somerset Council (Complaint Department / Customer Services)
  2. Created By
    Clare Cassar
    Cheltenham, United Kingdom
About this Petition Petition Letter

The BBC is reporting that Noah's Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol is planning to build a new enclosure to house elephants on its grounds, a move that has been widely criticized by many animal advocacy groups.

On top of the fact that there has been a steady trend toward closing elephant exhibits over the past two decades, this announcement comes on the heels of an elephant attacking a trainer at a zoo in Ohio and another elephant dying mysteriously at a zoo in Massachusetts.

Noah's Arc Zoo has already been under investigation by the North Somerset Council this year for allegations of cruelty by the The Captive Animal Protection Society.

A spokesman for the zoo assures the public of the familiar promises we're used to hearing from the animal-entertainment industry: that the animals will be well cared for, will benefit from large modern enclosures, etc.

Not only are these promises always hollow mockeries when they come from people who profit from animal captivity and entertainment, but according to the article, this zoo has already been expelled from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums as a result of a questionable relationship with a circus. As if a zoo isn't bad enough, this is a zoo with ties to a circus. It's almost like the twin enemies of elephants everywhere have joined forces.

The RSPCA said studies had shown elephants often develop lameness, obesity and behavioural abnormalities in zoos.

The charity's senior scientist, Dr Ros Clubb, said: "It is clear elephants do not fare well in zoos and we believe it would be highly irresponsible to introduce yet more of the animals to such a damaging environment.

"They are highly intelligent and sensitive animals. In the wild they will range over tens of kilometres of land a day, exploring and foraging for food."

Please sign this petition targeting Bristol Council and the Noah's Arc Zoo to stop the profiteering and captivity of these wonderful animals. Enough is enough for the elephants!

Photo Credit: Ryan McCullah

Recent Signatures

NO to Captive Elephants in Zoos!

Dear Noah's Arc Zoo Staff and North Somerset Council

I was horrified and saddened to read (via the BBC New Bristol) that Noah's Ark Zoo is planning to build a new enclosure to house elephants on its grounds.

Coupled with the fact that there has been a steady trend toward closing elephant exhibits over the past two decades, this news comes on the heels of a recent incident of an elephant attacking a trainer at a zoo in Ohio and another elephant dying 'mysteriously' at a zoo in Massachusetts.

According to the article, Noah's Arc Zoo has already been expelled from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums as a result of a 'questionable' relationship with a circus. As if a zoo isn't bad enough, a zoo with ties to a circus is by far a double abuse and death sentence to these amazing animals. Circuses and zoos are only ever interested in what is going to make them money. And, unfortunately, a new elephant exhibit will do just that.

A growing body of scientific evidence reveals the cruelty of confining elephants in zoos. These animals live up to three times longer in the wild than in zoos. Zoo enclosures; 60 to 100 times smaller than the smallest home ranges in the wild - restrict movement and hard flooring leads to foot problems. Limited exercise makes many captive elephants obese, itself a contributor to early deaths.

Even the RSPCA that you declare gave you the approval for your enclosure plans are campaigning against the importation of elephants for zoos in the UK:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11041112

Noah’s Ark Zoo’s plans are directly in opposition to many zoos in the EU and USA who have phased out their keeping of elephants because of insurmountable welfare problems caused by captivity. Please do not let this exhibit go ahead - this issue is a worldwide concern, and we are all watching very, very closely that you do the right thing for the animals here.


Thank you for your time,

Regards,

[Your name]

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