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Writer's pictureDon Lichterman

Elephant in the Room, Daisy, Samutprakan Zoo, Zimbabwe sells elephants 2 Pakistan, Happy, Jun & Gold

Almost 100 animal advocates rally for Happy's freedom

On Saturday, The Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) who has been fighting in the courts for Happy the Elephant’s freedom hosted a NYC-based rally calling for the Bronx Zoo to release Happy to sanctuary after 13 years of solitary confinement.


At the rally, Change represented more than 600,0000 digital supporters who signed a petition asking for Happy’s freedom. And in a show of people power, the event was attended by almost 100 animal advocates —including Change.org supporters— urging the zoo to release Happy to sanctuary.


The event also featured moving addresses from Kevin Schneider and Elizabeth Stein of the NhRP, Voters for Animal Rights, In Defence of Animals and Change. And was covered by the NY Post and News 12 The Bronx.



A breaking new PETA video exposé of Thailand's Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo shows the abuse endured by a suffering baby elephant made famous by a recent National Geographic feature. 

As the footage shows, elephants at the facility are chained for most of their lives and stabbed with sharp metal implements in order to coerce them into dancing, bowling, and performing other uncomfortable and confusing tricks. By paying to see these acts, tourists supported the abuse.

The elephants weren't offered any enrichment opportunities and were only unchained when being forced to perform tricks or give rides to tourists. They constantly swayed from side to side, which is a sign of mental distress.

In nature, elephants don't carry humans on their backs or perform uncomfortable and confusing tricks.


Other animals were also treated cruelly in order to entertain tourists. Workers beat crocodiles with bamboo sticks during shows, and a tiger was harassed so that tourists could pose with the animal for photos.

PETA has submitted its findings to Thai police, but we need your help, too. The best thing that you can do to help elephants and other animals exploited for tourism is to make compassionate travel decisions by never patronizing businesses that exploit wild animals or allow direct contact between humans and the animals—even facilities that claim to be sanctuaries.


Please also help us urge Trip.com, a company that offers tours that visit Samutprakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo, to remove this exhibit from its itineraries immediately.

Just two months ago, Daisy was one of the last captive elephants in Delhi, a city of nearly 19 million people. For 51 years, day in and day out, she was forced to work on busy streets and blazing hot pavement... and beaten if she didn't comply. There was no veterinary care, no nutritious food, and no love or companionship.


Now, thanks to you, Daisy's whole world is completely different. She walks in the forest each morning, and later can only be lured out of the big pool by the enticement of delicious and healthy food. Her wounds are being treated; her battered feet are being tended to with care. Maybe most importantly, Daisy now has dear friends in Erika, Lilly, and Ella. She finally has a herd to call her own.


Typically, many weeks and months of planning are done before we bring in an elephant. But the opportunity to rescue Daisy came quickly, and we had to act urgently. There was no time to prepare physically or financially for her arrival, but we knew that we couldn't pass up the chance to bring her to safety. She had waited long enough.



We are sure you remember our crusade against the horrific trade in baby elephants from Zimbabwe to Chinese zoos.


Network for Animals has been a leader, fighting the trade for four years and, each year, our outrage grows at the terrible cruelty Zimbabwe authorities inflict on helpless baby elephants.

We have uncovered VIDEO PROOF that Zimbabwe is capturing more baby elephants to export to Chinese zoos and elsewhere, even though it already has kept 35 babies penned up for months.


At first the authorities denied that any babies had been captured, then they admitted that the babies were going to be sent to one of China’s more than 15,000 zoos (Yes, FIFTEEN THOUSAND!) in March. That didn’t happen because Zimbabwe has not been paid, the elephants are still being held at Hwange National Park where they face a terrible future.

This situation is repulsive – each day that passes makes it more difficult to return the babies to the wild, yet the alternative is even worse; lives of hell in Chinese zoos.


We need to act now because we have learned Zimbabwe is planning to capture another 20 babies for export to China and elsewhere.


Our undercover team penetrated tight security in the Hwange National Park…


Our team obtained VIDEO PROOF THAT TWO MORE, VERY YOUNG BABIES HAVE BEEN CAPTURED in the last few days!

These babies are destined for Pakistan and are being held separately from the 35 babies previously caught and which are displaying increasingly aggressive behavior. Zimbabwe is treating these poor creatures as if they are mere objects without feelings or needs!



"Corporations Are People Too My Friends."
Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.  Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.

Our companies are known for creating products that enhance people's lives.  Through Sunset Corporation of America and its companies, we’re equally dedicated to improving lives.   Our commitment extends to helping local communities, fostering better educational systems, supporting the arts and culture, helping disadvantaged youth, protecting and improving the environment, animal welfare, wildlife issues and encouraging employee volunteerism.


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