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Burma, the sole remaining elephant at Auckland Zoo - Source: ONE News -
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Auckland ratepayers are being reassured they won't be hit in the pocket with the arrival of two new elephants for the city's zoo.
The Auckland Council has granted $3.2 million to the Auckland Zoo to import two Asian elephants to keep Burma company.
Her companion Kashin died nearly two years ago.
Auckland Council Strategy and Finance Chair Penny Webster said yesterday the deal will mean Aucklanders will be able to benefit from the elephants without any negative impact on rates.
The zoo expects to be able to pay the $3.2 million back with the extra income the elephants are expected to generate.
In its submission to the council, Auckland Zoo says studies show the extra elephants will attract 100,000 more visitors per year to the zoo and an independent poll done last year showed more than 80% of people wanted the zoo to continue to have elephants.
The elephants are not expected to be at the zoo until September next year.
The move prompted animal rights activist to speak out, urging the council not to bring the elephants in.
SAFE campaign director Eliot Pryor said everyone agrees Burma shouldn't be on her own and that elephants are very sophisticated animals with social and physical needs.
But he says the problem is that zoos can't cater adequately for elephants.
"Spending millions of dollars to keep three elephants captive is ludicrous, particularly when you consider that the entire nation just raised $2.5 million in a telethon to aid those in Christchurch without even homes," Pryor said.
But Auckland councillor Noelene Raffills said the elephants are better off here.
"They're actually coming from an environment that's not great, not terrible, but not great and they're coming here and they will be treasured," said Raffills.
However the move has promoted a flurry of support on the ONE News Facebook page as well as on our message board.
What do you think? Should the council have approved the purchase of elephant companions for Burma? Have your say on the message board below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentEllyn said on 2011-05-26 @ 08:46 NZDT: Report abusive post
Auckland Zoo is importing elephants against the advice of the professional body to which they belong. Why? It would be far kinder to the new elephants to remain in Asia. Burma could join them there. Bringing them to New Zealand fulfills the Zoo's prime objective of increasing the visitor numbers. They should stop pretending that any conservation purpose if fulfilled by this...better conservation outcomes could be achieved by sending funds and expertise to Asia.
Rukman said on 2011-05-25 @ 22:47 NZDT: Report abusive post
When compared to many other Zoos in the world Auckland zoo has a great environment and very knowledgeable staff who understand the physical and social requirements of Elephants. It has provided a reasonable walking area, bathing facilities, winter warm facilities a bull house, forest area & mountain exercise area and now the lonely Burma will have company a family life as we all have. We are so glad that Auckland Council has agreed to give a loan, which Zoo will pay back with the income genera
baylee1997 said on 2011-05-25 @ 14:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
Although I am not keen on elephants being kept in captivity, I believe that if we have one, we should have several for company. At least they are safe here, while out in the wild they are hunted for their ivory. I believe that there will be an influx of visitors to Auckland Zoo if there is more than one elephant to look at and learn about.
nichols said on 2011-05-25 @ 13:03 NZDT: Report abusive post
Instead of importing more elephants to keep the current one happy and thus perpetuating the cycle of keeping these animals in a zoo where their needs can't be properly met. Why not sent Burma overseas to an elephant sanctuary? This would give the creature some reasonable chance of a normal life. There is a fedarally approved elephant sanctuary in Tenessee, USA for example.
lisa71 said on 2011-05-25 @ 12:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
I