Dondi the elephant, 36, died unexpectantly in July at the Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts of tuberculosis.
Dondi was in direct contact with the public while giving rides. Elephants can harbor diseases transmissible to humans, including tuberculosis. Dondi had been in direct contact with the public for years, putting both children and adults at risk. During the summer she gave rides at the Southwick's Zoo; she was the second elephant used by the zoo who was found to have TB. Dondi performed circus tricks and gave rides at Flea World in Florida during the winter months.
U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for the control of TB in elephants state: "Direct contact transmission may occur during activities such as touching or riding an elephant, being touched by an elephant, examining, medicating, bathing, and handling animals."
Stop Using Elephants for Rides and Shows
SOURCE:
http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20101203-2.html
Southwick Zoo
Justine Brewer, President
2 Southwick Street
Mendon MA 01756-1234
phone (800) 258-9182
email: justine@southwickszoo.com
Flea World
Sydney and Marianne Levy, Owners
4311 Orlando Avenue
Sanford FL 32773
phone (407) 330-1792 ext. 224
Dondi the elephant, 36, died unexpectantly in July at the Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts of tuberculosis.
Dondi was in direct contact with the public while giving rides. Elephants can harbor diseases transmissible to humans, including tuberculosis. Dondi had been in direct contact with the public for years, putting both children and adults at risk. During the summer she gave rides at the Southwick's Zoo; she was the second elephant used by the zoo who was found to have TB. Dondi performed circus tricks and gave rides at Flea World in Florida during the winter months.
U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for the control of TB in elephants state: "Direct contact transmission may occur during activities such as touching or riding an elephant, being touched by an elephant, examining, medicating, bathing, and handling animals."
Stop Using Elephants for Rides and Shows
