Wildlife Safari, in Winston, OR has been named year after year as one of the 10 worst zoos for elephants.
Their elephant habitat is inadequate, but even more shocking is their use of bullhooks to strike, poke and frighten the elephants into performing for the financial gain of the "safari."
I took my grandkids to Wildlife Safari, and paid extra for the "elephant encounter." I was very disappointed to see the trainers using bullhooks while working with the elephants, even though animal welfare organizations have widely criticized training methods which use bullhooks.
Elephants are amazing creatures with sensitive emotions and strong family and social needs. Even circuses are beginning to realize this. It is time for Wildlife Safari to create an adequate habitat and stop torturing elephants with bullhooks, or send them to a sanctuary where they can live out their lives in peace and dignity.
It's time for you to treat your elephants better. The only humane and ethical decision would be to improve their shelter and habitat and end the use of barbaric bullhooks to control them. If you can not do this, please retire your elephants to a true sanctuary and stop keeping elephants in captivity.
