Kate came to Blackpool zoo in the early seventies as a youngster not long after the zoo originally opened with her & companion Crumple. They lived together until 1999 when the zoo obtained two more elephants ,Indra & Marcella from a bankrupt circus in Europe. In 2009,Crumple was put to sleep due to her arthritic condition. In July 2014 Marcella died followed by Indra in January 2015 both being about 50 years of age. Since then Kate has lived alone in their not too good, old antiquated elephant house & the zoo have stated that they intend to build a new elephant facility this winter 2015 with the intention of establishing a new breeding herd .
Whilst work is carried out the zoo have also stated that they intend to send Kate to their sister Park/zoo in Spain. This will be quite a long journey for Kate! mManwhile since this announcement the zoo (Blackpool) has been put up for sale, although the zoo have said this will not affect their plans for a new elephant house & facility.
.We want Kate to be sent to Longleat rather than Spain! Spanish Operators Parques Reunidos ..when she could travel a short distance to Longleat! Sending big animals on a long journey can be a risk! Ann is alone at Longleat since 5 years! She needs companionship!
Ann & Kate are both around the same age, with circus backgrounds & have both suffered great abusive pasts too!
They are both Asian Elephants and they could become close friends!
Give Ann companionship! Don't send Kate to Spain but to Longleat to Ann!
This petition has been created for Kate the elephant at Blackpool Zoo! She will be send to Spain, although there is a much better alternative: send her to Longleat to Ann, who also deserately needs elephant company, after being five years alone! Elephants are very social beings, they are not meant to live alone! Both these elephants have the same age, have the same abused past as circus elephants! They could comfort and love each other! Longleat is closeby where as Spain is too far for an elderly elephant to be send to! Many people have signed, and many more would, but it is time to hand over this request, as we don't know when you would send Kate away! Please reconsider your decision and do what is right for both Ann and Kate!
Kind Regards
Rita Claessens and all the people around the world who signed this petition!
