Several anti animal cruelty groups are calling out the Johannesburg Zoo and their treatment of their elephants during World Elephant Day on Monday.
They likened the event as being like a ‘circus’ and that the three animals were severely stressed. The animals were forced to perform tricks they had learned at their previous sanctuary despite such tricks usually being taught through very stressful methods akin to animal torture.
A spokesperson for the zoo tried to reassure the groups that the elephants were under strict supervision during the event and that they were only exposed to the public for less than 30 minutes.
The NSPCA was already against the zoo receiving two elephants a few months ago and this seems to confirm the zoo’s unsuitability for these creatures.
In its press release, the NSPCA went on to write: “When questioned, the Zoo assured the NSPCA that the elephants would not be impacted in any way – yet today the elephants had to perform for spectators and showed signs of undeniable stress. It is inconceivable that the Johannesburg Zoo would further promote the suffering of these sentient and sensitive creatures – it is nothing less than irresponsible and cruel.”
The Johannesburg Zoo is not the only institution to come under fire for its treatment of elephants in recent days. A 70-year-old elephant has been withdrawn from an annual Buddhist pageant in Sri Lanka following a social media backlash against parading the feeble and skeletal animal.
Outcry over World Elephant Day ‘circus’ at Joburg Zoo
Public Outcry for Joburg Zoo to rethink policies after World Elephant Day Horror
