Elephants at the Bowmanville Zoo

Photo From thestar.com RYAN PFEIFFER / METROLAND

On December 3rd, Limba the elephant was euthanized at the Bowmanville Zoo. Elephants are very social animals but Limba has lived alone for many years.  In October a mass was discovered in her abdomen and later a tumour on her spleen. Despite her serious illness she was still made to walk in the Santa Claus parade a few weeks before. 

Many are concerned that the Bowmanville Zoo is planning to purchase a new elephant to replace Limba. According to CAZA (Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums) zoos should make every effort to maintain elephants in social groupings. They also state it is inappropriate to keep highly social female elephants singly long term. 

Please let the Bowmanville Zoo know how you feel about elephants being kept alone, socially isolated from a group, and how you feel about them acquiring an elephant to replace Limba. You can email them at info@bowmanvillezoo.com, call them at 905-623-5655, or send them a letter at 340 King Street East, Bowmanville, Ontario, L1C 3K5

You may also be interested in signing a petition about this issue at  Change.org