Lily Tomlin Joins Effort To Stop Hope, Maine Elephant Facility
- Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 14:30
- Breaking News, Elephants, Featured News
- 1,556 views
Lily Tomlin is our newest ally in the fight to stop an unsafe and inhumane elephant facility in Hope, Maine. She’s written to Maine Governor LePage expressing opposition to the plan, and we now need Maine citizens to back her up by telling your elected officials that this plan is not good for the elephant or for the state.
The proposed facility, which will masquerade as an elephant “sanctuary,” will bring an elephant named Rosie from a circus-related facility where she is not performing to live by herself in a tiny enclosure and weather conditions that will force her to spend most of the year indoors.
There are grave human safety concerns involved with this project that include a dangerously inexpert handler, unsafe and inhumane training methods (including use of the bullhook, a weapon resembling a fireplace poker that is used to control elephants through fear of painful punishment), and the threat of tuberculosis, which is transmissible to humans.
The town of Hope may have approved construction of the facility, but there are still hurdles at the state and federal levels. That’s why we’re asking you to appeal to legislators in your state and in Congress.
IDA wants Rosie sent to a real sanctuary, one with other elephants, acres and acres to roam, and expert caretakers. But we need your help to do this.
IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS • 3010 KERNER BLVD. • SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901 • 415-448-0048
3 Comments on “Lily Tomlin Joins Effort To Stop Hope, Maine Elephant Facility”
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It’s great that entertainer Lily Tomlin is caring enough to take action as an ally in the fight against a reportedly unsafe and inadequate elephant facility in Hope, Maine. Elephants need plenty of space in order to live healthy lives, and these animals deserve much better conditions.
We lived in Maine between 2000 & 2005 and I took my cat to a local veterinarian in Camden, Maine. I remember then, that Dr. Jim Laurita was already pushing for this elephant facility, which we opposed. In a discussion with Dr. Laurita about this, he admitted that he had been a circus trainer, who “used the bull hook and did not see anything wrong with it.” I never went back there. I believe he has been a major player in this project, which is totally inappropriate for elephants. Maine is definitely not the place for any elephants, no matter what kind of facility is built.
I don’t understand why people so easily believe what they hear. I have personally visited the facility and they do not use any bull hooks or anything else for that matter. This is not a “sanctuary” either. This is a elephant rehabilitation facility. Dr. Laurita and others are trying to treat rosies arthritis and painful leg. Both elephants are older and rosie was bullied by other elephants were she used to be. Both get alot of attention and plenty off food! They are also putting elephant education classes in our local schools. Please get your information straight.