8th June International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos

International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos  is  a worldwide event aimed at raising awareness about the condition of elephants in zoos. It was instigated by the IDA.

In Defense Of Animals (IDA) believes that elephants die prematurely in zoos and that “urban zoos simply do not have adequate space for these majestic, intelligent animals.”

In confinement, elephants have been deprived of everything that gives their lives significance. As a result of the inhumane conditions in which they are kept, many elephants become emotionally unstable, unhealthy, and aggressive.

Whatever you feel about elephants in zoos, you have to admit they are incredible animals and deserve the best care and environment.

Four books that I know about elephants in zoos, that are based on real events, do give readers quite an insight into the treatment of elephants:

Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War by Yukio Tsuchiy and Ted Lewin

A zookeeper recounts the story of John, Tonky, and Wanly, three performing elephants at the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, whose turn it is to die, and of their keepers, who weep and pray that World War II will end so their beloved elephants might be saved.

Queenie: One Elephant's Story  by Corinne Fenton and Peter Gouldthorpe

There was a time when for tuppence you could ride on the back of an elephant at a zoo. Queenie was one such elephant. Until her death in 1945, she patiently carried up to 500 people a day at Melbourne Zoo.

How to Move a Zoo  by Kate Simpson and Owen Swan

The true story of how at the beginning of the 20th century Jessie the elephant walked from Moore Park Zoo to her spacious new home in the Taronga Zoological Park in Sydney.

The Secret Elephant: Inspired by a True Story of Friendship by Ellan Rankin

This picture book is inspired by a true story at the Belfast Zoo during World War II.  As bombs shake the ground and flashes of orange light burn across the sky, the solitary elephant grows more and more afraid and confused. And when it becomes impossible to stay in the enclosure, the keeper makes the daring choice to take the elephant home.

Many of the advocates of IDA want elephants to live in sanctuaries other than zoos, and these two books give this view:

The Elephants Come Home  by Kim Tomsic and Hadley Hooper

One day in 1999, Lawrence Anthony and Françoise Malby hear that a herd of wild African elephants needs a new home. They welcome the elephants to their wildlife sanctuary—Thula Thula—with open arms. But the elephants are much less sure they want to stay. How will Lawrence prove to them that they are safe and loved?

Elephants of Thailand: The Smiling Elephant by Aston Heath and Kata Upama

A touching true story about Chang, a baby elephant, and his adventures as he is rescued from captivity. This book about elephants in Thailand takes the child through an elephant’s life, starting from the jungle, life in the tourist industry and then being rescued and taken to an elephant refuge park.

Another interesting book to look at would be: 

A Good Heart  by Lucy Melo and Sandra Severgnini

While this is not about elephants in a zoo, it is written by a zookeeper who has spent her working life with elephants at Taronga Zoo where she cared for two Asian elephants Jai Dee and Tukta.