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Jul 27, 2008 5:39 pm US/Central
Protesters Demand Say In Dallas Elephant's Future
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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KeKe, an African elephant at the Dallas Zoo, died in early May, 2008.
Dallas Zoo
More than 150 people defied the midday heat to protest at the Dallas Zoo Sunday. They say they're unhappy with the zoo's plans for Jenny, its last surviving elephant.
But the zoo says it wants the 31-year-old African elephant to go the "Africam Safari Park" in Mexcio, a drive-through venue. The zoo protesters demanded that she instead go to "The Elephant Sanctuary," a non-profit in Tennessee.
"She is owned by the citizens of Dallas, and we feel we have a right to have a say in where she goes," said Margaret Morin, founder of the group Concerned Citizens For Jenny. "We want her to be retired in peace and safety to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee."
Jenny's future has been up in the air since her companion Keke died in May. African elephants are social creatures and need the company of their kind.
The zoo's Web site makes the case for Jenny's future in Mexico, claiming there will be a companion there and that the facility is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Elephant Sanctuary is not a member of the organization, but it is USDA approved and much larger than the facility in Mexico.
"Jenny has a history of being afraid of vehicles," said protester Alex Sirovica. "She does self-mutilation. In a drive-through safari, she would exposed to vehicles on a regular basis."
Despite the seeming clash of interest, people on both sides of this issue have one thing in common: they both claim to be operating in the best interests of Jenny.
"We care enormously about this elephant," said Greg Hudson, Dallas Zoo Director. He added that Dallas Zoo officials are still inspecting the Mexican facility. "We want to make sure before she goes down there that it's the best place for her to go."
In any case, Jenny will not be moved before fall.
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