I have studied the list, and agree with ZooChat member Yassa in that several of the zoos deserve to be on there for their inadequate exhibits or practices. At the same time, I'm beginning to feel strongly that the IDA should highlight the improvements that North American zoos have done for their elephants each year, and a list of the ten best zoos for the world's largest land mammals would be beneficial for everyone. That way the IDA could perhaps point out their well-publicized campaigns were working, zoo fans would be content, and the elephants mentioned would be in a healthier environment.
Zoos like San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso and Dallas (all Texas institutions) are obviously below par with some of the resources available, and keeping elephants solo in San Antonio and Dallas is unforgiveable. Even the most pro-zoo fans on ZooChat should admit the obvious and therefore be willing to criticize zoos that exhibit such social animals completely isolated from their own species.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Brec's Baton Rouge are a pair of zoos that more resemble circuses than anything else, and with elephants doing tricks for the public while being aware of ankus-wielding trainers should also be undefendable by any member of ZooChat. Is it really possible to defend both Six Flags and Houston from the deaths of pachydems, as elephants drop dead like flies at those two institutions.
Zoos like the National Zoo in Washington D.C., Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and the Oklahoma City Zoo really don't belong on the list, and they are silly choices that I shake my head over. I'm realistic, logical and understanding with those zoos, and both the National and Oklahoma City zoos have mega-budget new elephant exhibits opening around 2011. The appearances of those 3 zoos on the list is in sharp contrast with the true offenders who have appalling records of injury, isolation and mismanagement.
Overall I'd say that no one here at ZooChat can truly defend some of the zoos with hideous track records with elephant deaths and exhibitry, but at the same time there are a few zoos that don't have any place on the IDA's list. I'd love to see the organization produce a "best ten" list that includes places like North Carolina (7 acres), Oakland (6 acres), Indianapolis, San Diego WAP, and other zoos that have truly great elephant habitats. It would give all zoos an opportunity to aspire to make the list of the better establishments, would be terrific publicity for those zoos that were regarded as the premier institutions, and would perhaps give more stability and control to the IDA rather than simply bashing all zoos with elephants in a vain attempt to eradicate pachyderms from North American collections. Just as when I visit zoos and review them online, it is vitally important to highlight the fantastic exhibits and practices as much or more so than the inadequate ones.
