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Aug 27, 2008 5:10 pm US/Central
'Jenny's Song' Created For Dallas Zoo Elephant
DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ―
The controversy over the Dallas Zoo elephant named Jenny has taken a musical turn. One songwriter is hoping her effort will help give Jenny a new home.
"There's nothing that really tells about an issue more than a song… more than music," explained singer Beverly Perry.
'Jenny's Song' was recorded in a professional studio Tuesday night. The music and lyrics were birthed out of concern for the aging elephant. One verse of the song expresses the concern for the animal saying, "Your troubled life has brought you heartache."
The Dallas Zoo's decision to keep Jenny has her waiting for companionship and the expansion of the elephant habitat. The new four-acre exhibit will take 15 - 18 months to complete.
Jenny is 32-years-old. The average life expectancy of an elephant is 34 years. "Her life span is not much longer in captivity and chances are she's not going to be alive long enough to see this improved exhibit," Perry explained.
Perry, a former Christian singer with the group "Heart Song", is now a business professional. She says she wrote most of the lyrics to Jenny's Song. "The verses themselves are talking to Jenny and the chorus is actually speaking to the City of Dallas."
Professional pianist Eric Barnes helped with Jenny's Song. "I hope they get it and it moves people to what seems to be the right thing," he said.
Animal activist friends created a Jenny's Song MySpace webpage. While the page has been getting hits, Jenny supporters say what they really want is action.
Jenny has lived at the Dallas Zoo for 22 years.
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