ANN AND KATE SHOULD BE TOGETHER, IT'S THEIR TIME NOW!

UPDATE: 16 September 2017: It has now been noted that Blackpool Zoo will not be opening their new Elephant Exhibit until early 2018, leaving Kate to further languish ALONE in the stinking WW2 aircraft hangar she has called home since 1972 when she arrived at just 2 years old. She has now been alone for over two years since her last companion, blind in one eye, Indra passed away in 2015 at age 48, her reason for death listed as unknown. Her other companions, Marcella, was euthanized in July 2014 at age 42, and Crumple was also euthanized in March 2009 at age 40. Kate is aged just 45 and needs companionship without a doubt. Contrary always to the words of Blackpool Zoo that states she doesn't get on well with other elephants and prefers human companionship, I think the fact she had lived happily and socially with three other elephants up until 2 years ago, proves otherwise. Why would the Blackpool Zoo or Longleat want to keep Kate and Ann apart at a time they are so desperately in need of companionship. Are Blackpool Zoo just waiting for Kate to present an opportunity to euthanize her too before their new alleged Asian herd arrive next year (2018)? And as for Longleat and their leaving Ann to languish ALONE at the back of their vast safari park, whilst they concentrate on Festivals of Light, Sky Safaris, Fireworks and Pop Concerts... all events totally detrimental to Ann's wellbeing and that of other animals under their charge.

UPDATE: Presentation of this petition was made to the recipients between 15-21 July, 2017. After 5 weeks, none of the recipients have responded. Not even a confirmation of receipt. I have sent a further email/letter today asking WHY no response. My thoughts are with Ann and Kate at this time.  Both need companionship and to be without such is detrimental to their wellbeing. Please continue to sign and share. Thank you. There have been many petitions for Ann the beautiful elephant who resides at your park. Ann’s life is a cause célèbre. After her “rescue” from the beatings she received from the Romanian groom, Nicolae Nitu, at the winter quarters of Bobby Roberts Super Circus, she was brought to your Safari Park as her forever home and “sanctuary”.

Ann, and the people whose voices reigned in her support, were promised so very much, by yourselves, Longleat. An appeal that has raised to date, £430,000, to be used originally, for a one of a kind Sanctuary in Europe. A Sanctuary allowing Ann the comforts of much space, foraging, mud wallow, spa/pool and, most importantly, the companionship of up to 4 further elephants, in situ. The sanctuary hoped for, by the people who donated so readily, for Ann and other elephants either retiring at Longleat or passing through as a rehabilitation centre, never came to fruition.

No one of note has actually judged you, Longleat, in your decision to take from the general public, monies for said sanctuary, and in its place build “Anne’s Haven”, an assumed “state of the art” enclosure for Ann and Ann alone.

No other elephants, by your own admission, will ever reside, with Ann, or at Longleat. “The state of the art enclosure is to be used for other species when Ann dies”, is the response we’re given when asking about its use now, for Ann and/or other elephants, and going forward.

Longleat you have, as guardians of Ann, taken away the one fundamental requisite an elephant needs, especially when no longer in the wild, that of companionship. You can tell the general public, time and again, that Ann is too frail, too old, too arthritic, to have a companion in the form of another elephant, but many before her and still, to this day, receive the opportunity to find companionship, with much harsher led lives than Ann has had.

We could ask that Ann be moved to achieve this companionship. There are other zoos, parks, etc that could accommodate her with her own species, but given you have done much for Ann regarding rehabilitation from her ills at the hands of her groom/owners from her circus days, it would be dismissive of your care thus far, to ask you to seek others to take to the helm.

You could though, should you choose to do what’s right for Ann, bring another elephant to Longleat, to “Anne’s Haven”, which you have openly admitted, can house up to 4 elephants, and give Ann what she so desperately needs, companionship.
We do not need to tell you that Ann is suffering stereotypic behaviour. Weaving, bobbing and swaying and stepping from foot to foot in a monotonous action for hours on end. This, we are sure you know, as it is openly visible, has been recorded by visitors and media too. This is not a condition that leaves an elephant even when their situation changes. Once diagnosed, it is usually a point of no return, but unusually so, can be alleviated by the presence and comforting touch and interaction of another elephant. Stimulation in the form of enrichment and back to nature enhancement, foraging, mud wallowing, dusting with dirt etc is just not enough and to be candid, Ann has none of the above anyway to even hope to halt her stereotypic behaviour.

DEFRA states as of 2012 in Secretary of State’s Standards of Modern Zoo Practice, under Social Structure the following :

“Cows
8.8.4 Elephants should be kept in stable, female groups, preferably of related animals. Matriarchal herds should be the norm. However zoos which need to keep herds of unrelated, non-productive, older or problem elephants should also comply with these Standards.
8.8.5 Female elephants must have social contact with other elephants at all times. Ideally a group should contain at least four cows over two years old, and have unrestricted access to each other not less than 16 hours in any 24 hour period. The routine and prolonged separation of cows is unacceptable and zoos should keep records of such periods, the reasons for this separation, the action being taken to re-introduce these elephants and the timeframe for doing so. Such records should be made available to zoo inspectors upon request.”

With the above in mind, you are not fulfilling the Rules and Regulations that should be adhered to by all zoos/parks etc. housing, especially, female elephant(s).

You will always be praised for the exemplary veterinarian services you have provided for Ann since her arrival at Longleat. Anthony Nevin is one of, if not, the best animal osteopath in the world, and to this day, we have him to thank for Ann’s able condition. Yes, she suffers from dragging her back leg, but understandably, this occurs due to the tricks and her abusive handling during her circus days. We do know, that her pain management and arthritis is being monitored by your vet and has given Ann further, we believe, longevity in life, that which she would otherwise not have had. That said, her mental state, shown in the stereotypic behaviour, implies that what Ann needs now, is social interaction. The Nubian Goats just don’t cut it for Ann, she’s not even interested in them and they her.

There are options for Ann’s companionship in the form of another elephant. At this time Kate, another lone Asian elephant, of similar age, is languishing at Blackpool Zoo. With a somewhat uncertain future, given Blackpool Zoo have said they may move her to their sister zoo in Spain, whilst refurbishing/building a new elephant exhibit. It has also been noted that when such exhibit is built, Blackpool Zoo envisage bringing in a breeding herd of “African” elephants. Where does this leave Kate, as she is no longer a breeding elephant and is of Asian species? She will most likely, if moved to Spain, remain in Spain, especially if an African herd, are brought to Blackpool Zoo, on completion of the exhibit.

We ask that yourselves, Specialist Wildlife Services (Ann’s owners) and Blackpool Zoo re-consider a union between Ann and Kate at Longleat.

We appreciate you have considered previously, any elephant joining Ann at Longleat, with the conclusion it’s not viable, but the general public consensus is that you have NOT tried. Such union CAN work, it has been proven. See linked video of Shirley and Jenny (and Tarra who didn’t know Shirley at all). http://bit.ly/shirljen

Surely, a short trip of a few hours, in the UK, rather than a much longer trip for Kate to Spain, and a further opportunity of companionship for Ann thereto, is worthy of negotiation.

Ann is a beloved elephant, of Sri Lankan heritage, but also of an English institution that many are happy is slowly disappearing, the circus with animals. Ann is a reminder of all the goodness that can come from the hearts of many people. Longleat, SWS and Blackpool Zoo could take that goodness one step further with the union of Ann and Kate.

Both Ann and Kate have served the British public for many decades and now it’s their time to retire, in comfort, peace and no longer ALONE.

Thank you.