A 50 year old Asian Elephant, Sunda and and African Elephant, Tembo are being kept at the Topeka Zoo, Kansas, in a tiny, inadequate exhibit.
They spend the long winters standing indoors on hard flooring and Sunda feet are subject to chronic infections. Chronic infection can make its way into the bone and kill her. Chronic foot problems are known to be a leading cause of death for elephants in zoos.
The zoo's medical records indicate that Sunda has a history of recurring foot disease, and the USDA has repeatedly cited the Topeka Zoo for elephant care problems, going back to 1998. The zoo currently faces formal charges by the USDA that include providing "minimally appropriate husbandry" for the elephants and failure to inspect their feet as frequently as necessary.
In Defense of Animals has asked the USDA to confiscate the elephants and move them to a natural habitat sanctuary. Let the USDA know you agree with moving the elephants;
and please sign the petition from IDA, (In Defense of Animals).
https://secure2.convio.net/ida/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=2197&JServSessionIdr004=nqpdu4g5m1.app245bDr. Chester Gipson
Deputy Administrator
Animal Care
USDA
4700 River Road, Unit 84
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
phone (301) 734-7833
fax (301) 734-4978
emailmailto:
ace@aphis.usda.gov