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Burma, the sole remaining elephant at Auckland Zoo - Source: ONE News -
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Auckland Council has agreed to lend Auckland Zoo $3.2 million to
import two orphaned juvenile elephants from Sri Lanka.
They will join Burma the elephant, who has been on her own since
her companion Kashin died in 2009.
Burma could live for another 40 years and the zoo said she needed
company for quality of life.
Auckland Council Strategy and Finance Chair Penny Webster said 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.
Auckland Zoo Director Jonathan Wilcken said the process of bringing
the elephants in is lengthy because of quarantine and medical
checks.
The elephants are not expected to be at the zoo until September
next year.
On arrival at the zoo, the new elephants will be gradually
introduced to Burma, allowing her to establish herself as the head
of the group.
"The advice from elephant experts was we had the best chance of providing a family life for Burma here at the zoo if we essentially brought in younger elephants and set her up as the matriarch of a new family," said Wilcken.
There had been overwhelming public support for the elephant purchase on ONE News' Facebook posting on the matter.
However, animal rights advocates are raising concerns over the
animals' welfare and say elephants should not be treated like
livestock or commodities.
SAFE campaign director Eliot Pryor says a group of international
elephant welfare experts and scientists have written to the council
urging them not to bring the elephants in.
Pryor says 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 says 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.
Public support for more elephants
By mid morning everybody who had posted to the ONE News Facebook
wall had come out in support of getting pals for Burma.
Lesley Opie wrote "I like elephants at the the zoo. Not all of us
can afford to go to Africa to see them. Give her a mate!"
Sandra Mclean said she believed it was important to give the animal
a friend. "I'm not sure why this is even a question!"
Jasmine Davis said an elephant needs company. Elephants! How cruel
is it to not give her mates? She needs them."
While Kaye Bassett Millar sent a message to the Auckland Council.
"Everyone, human or not, needs a friend.Shame on you Auckland
Council for even debating the question."
Rose Taylor and Laura Donegan had messages for the animal
activists.
"Burma needs the company for her happiness," Taylor said. "The
animal activists must understand that as she is a captive animal,
and so are the elephants being considered, it's not a bad
thing."
"Stupid animal activists say no to everything," said Donegan. "I've
never seen the elephants at Auckland Zoo treated badly. In fact I
think it's a great place and has changed so much over the years.
Who would like to be on their own for 40 years? Not me! And I bet
if Burma could she talk she wouldnt either."
What do you think the council lending money for the elephant
purchase? Have your say on the messageboard 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