Another U.S. Elephant Catastrophe at Montgomery Zoo

Advocates Call for Breeding Ban/Public Release of Veterinary Records in Wake of Young Elephant Death

Montgomery, Alabama—The death of a 23-year old African elephant named Mary two days after giving birth at the Montgomery Zoo has prompted the animal protection group In Defense of Animals (IDA) to renew its call for an end to elephant breeding in zoos. In a letter to the zoo, IDA called for the public release of Mary’s veterinary records so independent experts can determine whether her death was the latest in a string of tragedies related to elephant breeding in zoos.

“Only by publicly releasing [Mary’s medical] records, can your zoo put to rest the questions that surround Mary’s death, which appears far too coincidental, given the frequency of birth complications in captive African and Asian elephants,” wrote Elliot M. Katz, DVM, IDA president in a letter to Montgomery Zoo director Doug Goode.

Since 2001, at least 16 elephant pregnancies in U.S. zoos have ended in stillbirths or other complications, including death of calf during labor, euthanasia of premature calf and failure to thrive, resulting in 16 dead babies and four dead mothers. If Mary’s death turns out to be linked to the pregnancy and birthing process, then those grim statistics will increase. She would become the second mother elephant this year to die from birth-related complications. In January, Babe and her calf died at Ft. Worth Zoo after her labor failed to progress.

Birth complications for elephants in captivity are directly related to inadequate conditions, including lack of space for movement. Elephant experts believe that lack of exercise and physical fitness, stress, and excessive weight gain contribute to elephants’ inability to successfully birth calves. Adverse birthing conditions, including the routine isolation and chaining of laboring elephants by two to four legs, may also contribute to the problem.

Birth complications are not the only factor in the zoo industry’s overall lack of success in breeding elephants. The infant mortality rate for elephants in U.S. zoos (ages 0-1) is four times higher than that of documented free-ranging populations in Africa and Asia.

“Breeding elephants under current zoo conditions seriously endangers their lives,” continued Katz, a veterinarian. “To continue these attempts is simply reckless, irresponsible and inhumane.”

Katz, a veterinarian, noted that continued zoo breeding is also reckless due to the lack of adequate housing for elephants, especially males who are much more difficult to maintain in captivity due to their size, strength and periods of heightened aggression during musth. If Mary’s calf, a male, survives, his prospects for a quality life under current zoo conditions are dim.

For more information, please visit www.helpelephants.com.