Thoughts and Opinions on these Rankings:
Topeka Zoo - This really wasn't any surprise. The exhibit is puny on its own and the indoor facility is a nasty little thing. Combine that with the passing of a middle-aged African elephant and the zoo being on the list multiple times in the past years, and you got yourselves one of the most predictable candidates for this years list. Still, I'm not sure it deserves the #1 spot.
Pittsburgh Zoo - Also very predictable. The exhibit itself is fine, but the way they view their elephant care is what made this year so disastrous for them. The new bill will force them to put the bull hooks down. I don't agree with free contact much so I can't say this a bad thing. In their defense, the dog thing was years ago, so I don't think it should be held against them this time around. The baby elephant was an accidental tragedy. Its not like they could have done much about a premature birth, but I'm not sure I can agree with how they handled it after the birth. I was have given it a bit more time with the mother and then attempt hand rearing. I'm sure the zoo had good intentions, but I can't say I like what they did.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo - Basically because one of their bulls died. That's really about it. Animals die, it happens. Its sad of course, but ranking it the third worst zoo for elephants in North America is head scratching. The new exhibit looks great and from an animal welfare perspective I can't imagine it contributed to his cracked tusks as the article claims. They do realize there are plenty of hard surfaces in the wild to right?
Louisville Zoo - The "renovation" that this enclosure went other was honestly pathetic. Its small and barren for the Asian/African mix. Though they seem to focus more on how many times they have attempted to AI one. Not worth the biggest fuss, at least not as much as the mediocre yard. Still not any good in an otherwise fine looking zoo.
Oregon Zoo - This was an awful choice. Packy was a remarkable specimen that everyone in the zoo community will miss. He was very old, I doubt the zoo was really ready to "kill him" as they say, but it was his time. He lived a nice life, and had a great last few years in the new elephant exhibit. The exhibit itself is most likely one of the best for Asian elephants if maybe a but unsightly. I wasn't surprised by this one, but it still in no way belongs near this list.
Myrtle Beach Safari - Big cats on leashes? Ligers being among them? Free contact with elephants including rides? The owner referring to exhibits as cages? Wow. This place checks a lot of boxes that I'm not liking. I decided to do a little research and this seems like a touristy animal circus ground from the looks of it. I can't say much more sense I'm not familiar with the place, but it really doesn't look good.
Two Tails Ranch - This was a shocker. Not because of the elephants, but because of the fact that myself and others on here didn't know about this places existence until a few weeks ago.
@Sarus Crane reviewed the establishment just a few weeks ago. In that review, I was criticized for addressing concerns about the elephant care, basically saying it was much too circus-like and dangerous. It looks like I may be partially right, though I'll take the word of an educated zoochatter over some anti-zoo group any day. Though this isn't exactly helping much.
St. Louis Zoo - Completely stupid. St. Louis is among the best for elephants and this confirms that these lists are incredibly unreliable. I even joked about this on the SL zoo news thread when the news first broke. Though its unfortunate, the zoo has have four consecutive successful births in a row and I see no reason for them to stop breeding their pachyderms. TB has been on rabid decline in elephants, something the IDA doesn't state in these lists. Its a shame it happened yes, but the zoo can treat it and this zoo most of all does not belong on the list.
Natural Bridge Zoo - Every other zoo on this list (Except maybe MBS) I know at least has good intentions for their elephants, this is the exception. This "zoo" deserves to be on a list like this. Its completely atrocious the way they treat the lone female elephant who resigns here. Forced to give rides and tucked away in a shed for the winter is not a life to live. This is the one zoo on here that I feel needs to be shut down, permanently. The fact this isn't the number one spot again is mind boggling.
Riverbanks Zoo - I can't say I know to much about this zoo, but the exhibit I hear is fine if I little small. The main point against the place was that two elephants died within six months of each other. They do realize the same thing happened at San Diego zoo last year right? That's probably because they were old elderly elephants so they couldn't criticize, but now that a pair of young females deceased then they have some ammo. There are still some far worse zoos then Riverbanks that deserve to be on a list like this.
Bronx Zoo - Main Claim: The zoo is hiding Happy away from the public.
Happy | ZooChat
Happy the Elephant | ZooChat
Edmonton Valley Zoo - There really isn't much to be said here. Its a shame Lucy lives the way she does, but she's much to old to be moved at this point. She would only die sooner. Its a really tragedy, but again really nothing can be done at this point.
