Elephants deserve freedom, not forced photo ops.

At Myakka Elephant Ranch in Florida, elephants once exploited by circuses and entertainment industries are still being denied the rest they desperately need. Instead of enjoying a peaceful retirement, they are forced into daily encounters with strangers—bathing, feeding, toenail painting, and posing for photos. This isn’t rescue. It’s repackaged exploitation.

In recent years, Myakka has doubled down on its use of elephants for entertainment. African elephants Suzy and Baba, once used in film and television, were brought to the ranch in 2024. Asian elephant Patty, formerly with the Carden International Circus, was acquired earlier—after decades of performing. Then, in 2025, Margaret, Libby, and Cameron Lee arrived from another circus. Cameron, the youngest, was torn away from his mother to be used for entertainment. That kind of trauma stays with an elephant for life.

The Barreda family, which runs Myakka Elephant Ranch, claims these elephants are “retired.” But true retirement for elephants doesn’t involve strangers feeding or bathing them for profit. It means sanctuary—space to roam freely, form bonds, forage, play, and just be elephants.

These are highly intelligent, deeply social beings. In the wild, they form lifelong relationships and carry knowledge across generations. At Myakka, they are denied all of this. Their past lives in circuses already inflicted deep emotional and physical wounds. They deserve healing—not another version of captivity.

Accredited elephant sanctuaries across the U.S. are equipped with the expertise, space, and resources to care for these animals in a way that prioritizes their well-being—not tourist dollars. It’s not too late for the Barreda family to do the right thing.

We are calling on Myakka Elephant Ranch and the Barreda family to immediately stop using elephants for public encounters and retire them to a true, accredited sanctuary. These elephants have suffered enough.

Please sign this petition and join us in demanding real freedom for Suzy, Baba, Patty, Margaret, Libby, and Cameron Lee.