ParksAndPixels
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Animal Kingdom makes Top Ten Worst Zoos list for Elephants?
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The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
IDA also alleges that poor decisions made by Disney World’s Animal Kingdom led to the untimely death of two elephants. “In July, pregnant Moyo and her unborn calf died as a result of birth complications after being shipped from Disney’s Animal Kingdom to The National Elephant Center in Florida,” the group wrote. “Zoos generally do not transfer pregnant females because of the great stress of travel and potential complications.”
Another elephant named Tufani -- a 10-year-old male -- also died after being transferred from the Animal Kingdom to the same sanctuary. He died after contracting salmonella poisoning, described as a “difficult illness to treat.”
Tsk, tsk. Step it up, Disney. We haven't forgotten DAK's start-up problems either. It is fine for an animatronic to take a few months to function properly, but animals die when you mess up:Another elephant named Tufani -- a 10-year-old male -- also died after being transferred from the Animal Kingdom to the same sanctuary. He died after contracting salmonella poisoning, described as a “difficult illness to treat.”
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture cleared Disney of wrongdoing, the inspectors cited a possible ``error in professional judgment'' for causing the deaths of two Oriental small-clawed otters. But inspectors concluded the error did not violate federal animal-welfare laws.
The animal-care staff had approved planting loquat trees in the otter exhibit and had known the animals were eating the fruit. Not until two otters died during four days in March did the staff realize that the otters also were chewing the seeds, which are poisonous.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-05-14/news/9805140239_1_disney-animal-usda-inspectors-animal-kingdom
The animal-care staff had approved planting loquat trees in the otter exhibit and had known the animals were eating the fruit. Not until two otters died during four days in March did the staff realize that the otters also were chewing the seeds, which are poisonous.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1998-05-14/news/9805140239_1_disney-animal-usda-inspectors-animal-kingdom
Lucky
Well-Known Member
The major projects like Elephant Trails are funded by private contributions. Overall, the Smithsonian budget is about one third privately funded.Guess who pays the bill for that...Not exactly free
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sonoma15
Well-Known Member
So is seaworld.
DisneyMusician2
Well-Known Member
No offense to animal right organizations, I acknowledge there are problems, but it does seem like this list takes aim at the largest zoos and companies they could find for press.
There probably are major issues with Sea World and DAK, but I don't think this article is unbiased reporting, and as a previous poster said I think a large shaker of salt should be included.
There probably are major issues with Sea World and DAK, but I don't think this article is unbiased reporting, and as a previous poster said I think a large shaker of salt should be included.
jakeman
Well-Known Member
Here's an additional article from the O-Sent earlier this month. Moyo and the calf looks like they passed due to malpositioning of the calf (I interpret that as similar to a breach delivery) and complications thereafter.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-elephant-center-20150206-story.html
Moyo, Tufani, Tsavo and Thandi were pioneers when they moved from Disney's Animal Kingdom to The National Elephant Center in 2013.
They were the first pachyderm residents of the 225-acre reserve in the city of Fellsmere, about 90 minutes southeast of Orlando. It was envisioned as a combination foster home, retirement home, and research and training facility.
But the nonprofit center has gotten off to a difficult start since welcoming its first family. Moyo and her son Tufani died last year. Two of the center's top leaders stepped down shortly afterward. Animal-rights groups have questioned the wisdom of sending pregnant Moyo there and say they don't understand the center's purpose.
"It's kind of strange how it's played out. The center has been open for a while now and Disney's the only facility that has sent elephants there," said Nick Atwood, campaigns coordinator with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "We don't really know what the future holds for the center."
Disney referred to a prepared statement it made last year that said it supports the center and its mission. Calls and emails to the center and its directors were not returned.
The center, started by leaders from zoos across the country including the Animal Kingdom theme park, has been established during a turbulent time for elephants. Many are dying in the wild as poachers seek their ivory. Zoos face challenges including stricter accreditation requirements and an aging population — and some are shutting down elephant exhibits, sending the animals to other facilities.
Sanford's Central Florida Zoo sent its last elephant to Miami in 2011. Disney's Animal Kingdom is the only zoological facility in the Orlando area that houses elephants — eight of them, on 7 acres.
The National Elephant Center, which is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, was formed in 2006. John Lehnhardt, an animal-care director at Animal Kingdom who retired from Disney in 2011, was on The National Elephant Center's board as far back as 2007. Lehnhardt became its unpaid executive director in 2012, the same year in which work began on the Fellsmere facility, which is not open to the public. Many other staff members also had worked at the Animal Kingdom.
The center said on its website it provides short-term and long-term care for male elephants, who can become aggressive and unpredictable when their testosterone levels are elevated, and for herds. In a news release from several years ago, a board member said the center would also be used for breeding and artificial insemination. Many animal-rights advocates oppose breeding for captivity.
The Disney elephants, an African herd, arrived in May 2013. In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel last year, past chairman Rick Barongi said Tufani was separating from the herd, and the center was seen as a place that could help him adjust. Barongi, a Houston Zoo executive who helped start Animal Kingdom, said Disney also needed more room for other animals.
In early 2014, 10-year-old Tufani died of a salmonella infection. Six months later, pregnant Moyo lost her unborn calf, then died herself. The unborn calf had been malpositioned and Moyo's death was suspected to be the result of circulatory failure and shock, according to necropsy results. Barongi said the staff "did everything they could" to help the elephants.
An elephant field specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture, which inspects the center, wrote in an email obtained by the Orlando Sentinel that salmonella is not a common problem in elephants.
"Salmonella is all around and generally is only a problem for animals that are stressed or immuno-compromised," USDA's Denise Sofranko wrote.
Another USDA official wrote that veterinary care during Tufani's illness appeared appropriate, and that he had appeared stressed because he had to go into a barn during cold weather and was quarantined.
Last month, a group called In Defense of Animals put Animal Kingdom on its 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list, citing pregnant Moyo being sent to "this unproven Florida center."
Lehnhardt retired shortly after Moyo's death, Barongi said last year. Jeff Bolling, the center's chief operating officer and a former Animal Kingdom employee, also departed. Barongi said last year the changes were not related to the elephant deaths; he said "it was kind of a mutual decision at this point" for Bolling to resign.
No new executive director has been announced.Neither Lehnhardt, whose name is currently on the center's website as executive director, nor Bolling, who is running a pet-training business, could be reached for comment.
Thandi, the matriarch, and Moyo's 6-year-old son Tsavo remain at the center. Animal-rights activists point out that Association of Zoos and Aquariums' new guidelines call for at least three elephants in a facility.
The center is expecting two new Asian elephants from an unidentified entertainment company. The Press Journal in Vero Beach reported in November that the arrival has been delayed until sometime this year while the group raises $150,000 for barn improvements.
Although they do not want to see breeding there, some animal-rights activists say the center could play a valuable role by providing more space for male elephants or taking in elephants that places such as circuses no longer want.
"I'm kind of cautiously optimistic about the future," Atwood said.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-disney-elephant-center-20150206-story.html
Moyo, Tufani, Tsavo and Thandi were pioneers when they moved from Disney's Animal Kingdom to The National Elephant Center in 2013.
They were the first pachyderm residents of the 225-acre reserve in the city of Fellsmere, about 90 minutes southeast of Orlando. It was envisioned as a combination foster home, retirement home, and research and training facility.
But the nonprofit center has gotten off to a difficult start since welcoming its first family. Moyo and her son Tufani died last year. Two of the center's top leaders stepped down shortly afterward. Animal-rights groups have questioned the wisdom of sending pregnant Moyo there and say they don't understand the center's purpose.
"It's kind of strange how it's played out. The center has been open for a while now and Disney's the only facility that has sent elephants there," said Nick Atwood, campaigns coordinator with the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida. "We don't really know what the future holds for the center."
Disney referred to a prepared statement it made last year that said it supports the center and its mission. Calls and emails to the center and its directors were not returned.
The center, started by leaders from zoos across the country including the Animal Kingdom theme park, has been established during a turbulent time for elephants. Many are dying in the wild as poachers seek their ivory. Zoos face challenges including stricter accreditation requirements and an aging population — and some are shutting down elephant exhibits, sending the animals to other facilities.
Sanford's Central Florida Zoo sent its last elephant to Miami in 2011. Disney's Animal Kingdom is the only zoological facility in the Orlando area that houses elephants — eight of them, on 7 acres.
The National Elephant Center, which is not accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, was formed in 2006. John Lehnhardt, an animal-care director at Animal Kingdom who retired from Disney in 2011, was on The National Elephant Center's board as far back as 2007. Lehnhardt became its unpaid executive director in 2012, the same year in which work began on the Fellsmere facility, which is not open to the public. Many other staff members also had worked at the Animal Kingdom.
The center said on its website it provides short-term and long-term care for male elephants, who can become aggressive and unpredictable when their testosterone levels are elevated, and for herds. In a news release from several years ago, a board member said the center would also be used for breeding and artificial insemination. Many animal-rights advocates oppose breeding for captivity.
The Disney elephants, an African herd, arrived in May 2013. In an interview with the Orlando Sentinel last year, past chairman Rick Barongi said Tufani was separating from the herd, and the center was seen as a place that could help him adjust. Barongi, a Houston Zoo executive who helped start Animal Kingdom, said Disney also needed more room for other animals.
In early 2014, 10-year-old Tufani died of a salmonella infection. Six months later, pregnant Moyo lost her unborn calf, then died herself. The unborn calf had been malpositioned and Moyo's death was suspected to be the result of circulatory failure and shock, according to necropsy results. Barongi said the staff "did everything they could" to help the elephants.
An elephant field specialist with the United States Department of Agriculture, which inspects the center, wrote in an email obtained by the Orlando Sentinel that salmonella is not a common problem in elephants.
"Salmonella is all around and generally is only a problem for animals that are stressed or immuno-compromised," USDA's Denise Sofranko wrote.
Another USDA official wrote that veterinary care during Tufani's illness appeared appropriate, and that he had appeared stressed because he had to go into a barn during cold weather and was quarantined.
Last month, a group called In Defense of Animals put Animal Kingdom on its 10 Worst Zoos for Elephants list, citing pregnant Moyo being sent to "this unproven Florida center."
Lehnhardt retired shortly after Moyo's death, Barongi said last year. Jeff Bolling, the center's chief operating officer and a former Animal Kingdom employee, also departed. Barongi said last year the changes were not related to the elephant deaths; he said "it was kind of a mutual decision at this point" for Bolling to resign.
No new executive director has been announced.Neither Lehnhardt, whose name is currently on the center's website as executive director, nor Bolling, who is running a pet-training business, could be reached for comment.
Thandi, the matriarch, and Moyo's 6-year-old son Tsavo remain at the center. Animal-rights activists point out that Association of Zoos and Aquariums' new guidelines call for at least three elephants in a facility.
The center is expecting two new Asian elephants from an unidentified entertainment company. The Press Journal in Vero Beach reported in November that the arrival has been delayed until sometime this year while the group raises $150,000 for barn improvements.
Although they do not want to see breeding there, some animal-rights activists say the center could play a valuable role by providing more space for male elephants or taking in elephants that places such as circuses no longer want.
"I'm kind of cautiously optimistic about the future," Atwood said.
jakeman
Well-Known Member
And here is an even older article explaining a little bit better the purpose of moving the elephants. Please note it was a multi-story article, so I stopped cutting and pasting when they started talking about polar bears at Sea World and Frozen socks. If I left anything out, it was inadvertent:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-tourism-09292014-20140928-story.html
An elephant center with ties to Walt Disney World has had a rocky start since opening last year.
Two of four Disney elephants that were transferred to The National Elephant Center, a nonprofit sanctuary in Fellsmere, died this year. And two of the center's top leaders, both of them formerly with Disney's Animal Kingdom, departed recently.
The Disney elephants are currently the sanctuary's only residents.
A 10-year-old male elephant, Tufani, died early this year from an untreatable form of salmonella. His mother, Moyo, died from complications of a difficult pregnancy this summer. Her calf did not survive.
"Elephant deaths happen despite the best efforts," said Rick Barongi, the center's past chairman and a current board member. "The people we have on staff have so many years of experience. They did everything they could."
The elephants had previously lived at the Animal Kingdom and were transferred to the Fellsmere center last year.
The older females in the group were trying to move Tufani out of the herd as he was growing up, since adult males generally live alone. The sanctuary was seen as a place that could help him adjust to that. Also, Barongi said, Disney "needed some more room … to accommodate some of the other animals they wanted to bring in."
John Lenhardt, the center's volunteer executive director, retired about a month ago, Barongi said, and chief operating officer Jeff Bolling left around the same time.
Barongi said the departures were not related to the elephants' deaths. Lenhardt left for personal reasons and "it was kind of a mutual decision at this point" for Bolling to resign, he said.
Lenhardt retired from Disney in 2011, where he held several positions at Animal Kingdom, including director of animal operations. Bolling also worked at the Animal Kingdom.
The remaining elephants will continue to stay at the center.
Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said in a statement "we believe in TNEC's mission and support the organization's board and their decisions."
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-cfb-tourism-09292014-20140928-story.html
An elephant center with ties to Walt Disney World has had a rocky start since opening last year.
Two of four Disney elephants that were transferred to The National Elephant Center, a nonprofit sanctuary in Fellsmere, died this year. And two of the center's top leaders, both of them formerly with Disney's Animal Kingdom, departed recently.
The Disney elephants are currently the sanctuary's only residents.
A 10-year-old male elephant, Tufani, died early this year from an untreatable form of salmonella. His mother, Moyo, died from complications of a difficult pregnancy this summer. Her calf did not survive.
"Elephant deaths happen despite the best efforts," said Rick Barongi, the center's past chairman and a current board member. "The people we have on staff have so many years of experience. They did everything they could."
The elephants had previously lived at the Animal Kingdom and were transferred to the Fellsmere center last year.
The older females in the group were trying to move Tufani out of the herd as he was growing up, since adult males generally live alone. The sanctuary was seen as a place that could help him adjust to that. Also, Barongi said, Disney "needed some more room … to accommodate some of the other animals they wanted to bring in."
John Lenhardt, the center's volunteer executive director, retired about a month ago, Barongi said, and chief operating officer Jeff Bolling left around the same time.
Barongi said the departures were not related to the elephants' deaths. Lenhardt left for personal reasons and "it was kind of a mutual decision at this point" for Bolling to resign, he said.
Lenhardt retired from Disney in 2011, where he held several positions at Animal Kingdom, including director of animal operations. Bolling also worked at the Animal Kingdom.
The remaining elephants will continue to stay at the center.
Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said in a statement "we believe in TNEC's mission and support the organization's board and their decisions."