Edmonton Valley Zoo Named Worst for Elephants by Animal Rights Group

An international animal rights organization has released its 10 worst zoos for elephants and honorable mentions, and a Canadian zoo has landed on the list.

Elephant at Natural Bridge Zoo (Photo Credit: IDA)

The In Defense of Animals (IDA) organization has been compiling its Ten Worst Zoos list for Elephants for the past 11 years with the hopes of “exposing the excessive suffering endured by elephants in North American zoos.”

The list also includes a Dishonorable Mention and Hall of Shame inductees. The Edmonton Valley Zoo was named as the Hall of Shame Winner because its lone elephant lives in isolation. The Edmonton Valley Zoo has been on IDA’s list four times before.

Elephant at Natural Bridge Zoo (Photo Credit: IDA)

“Lucy the elephant has been forced to live in one of the coldest environments in North America and in isolation from any other elephants,” said IDA. “The average winter “high” temperature in Edmonton is in the low twenties. Only after being sued did the zoo finally create an indoor exercise area for Lucy; but she has to walk out in the freezing temperatures to get there.”

IDA claims that Lucy is not receiving adequate care and treatment, but the zoo insists that she is happy and healthy. The IDA goes on to state that Lucy’s confinement is in violation of Alberta’s Zoo Standards that requires elephants to be housed in social groups.

Lucy at the Edmonton Valley Zoo (Photo Credit: IDA)

“IDA’s 2014 list spotlights zoos representing the most appalling conditions for elephants, emphasizing an extended and egregious history of disregard for elephant care standards and science,” said Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., Elephant & Cetacean Scientist for IDA. “Conservation cannot be used as an excuse for cruelty, especially when we know that elephants bred in captivity will not be released to the wild. The tens of millions of dollars spent keeping elephants in zoos could be used more wisely and compassionately for real conservation.”

Lucy at the Edmonton Valley Zoo (Photo Credit: IDA)

Topping the list is the Natural Bridge Zoo in Natural Bridge, VA. The IDA calls it a “roadside atrocity” and states that the zoo keeps a lone African elephant without company, and has done so for a decade.

“Elephants are highly complex and social animals who naturally live in extended family networks, making it cruel to keep an elephant alone,” states IDA.

Elephant at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Photo Credit: IDA)

In second place is the San Antonio Zoo, followed by Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. The Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle was named as a Dishonorable Mention and states that the zoo is finally closing its elephant exhibit after years of public pressure.

To see the entire list of zoos that make this year’s top 10, or previous lists click here.