On Friday the 14th from 4:30PM – 6:30PM a rally for Woodland Park Zoo’s Bamboo the Elephant will take place at the North entrance of Woodland Park Zoo during the Jungle Party fundraiser.

Our zoo has been under fire for mistreating the adult elephant. Due to aggression towards the baby elephant Hansa Bamboo was shipped to Point Defiance zoo but was sent back due to stress induced behavioral problems.

Now the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee would like to take Bamboo to live out her final days on a 2200 acre facility and WPZ is saying no. Some alleged reasons include:

The Elephant Sanctuary (TES) is not accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

Bamboo is very bonded with WPZ keepers and prefers people over elephants.

The Elephant Sanctuary (TES) does not provide adequate veterinary care.

The list goes on. I for one am a bit shocked to hear that people are accusing WPZ of mistreating Bamboo. WPZ is well known as one of the best. The zoo has received five major exhibit awards by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association: Trail of Vines, Northern Trail, Tropical Rain Forest, Elephant Forest and African Savanna. WPZ is a pioneer in their field and I hope the allegations against them are unfounded. I would hate to have a zoo that abused its elephants.

[Official WPZ Media Statement Regarding Bamboo]
[Elephant Care and Conservation at WPZ]