Statement on St. Lucie County Vote to Prohibit Cruel Elephant Training Device

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Lucie County, Fla. (January 26, 2010) – In a major victory for elephants, the St. Lucie County Board of Commissioners in Florida made it very clear that the use of cruel bullhooks on elephants is not welcome in their county. The commission today voted to allow the National Elephant Center (NEC), an elephant holding facility and breeding facility, to proceed, but applied strict conditions that prohibit bullhooks (a device similar to a fireplace poker used to inflict pain on elephants), limit the number of elephants at the facility, and encourage the formation of an advisory committee to monitor elephant welfare at the NEC.

“We applaud the commissioners’ progressive decision to prohibit bullhooks at the NEC. These barbaric devices inflict a great deal of pain and suffering on elephants,” said PETA director Debbie Leahy. “We hope the zoos involved in this project will eliminate bullhook use at their respective facilities, as many zoos have already done. St. Lucie county commissioners demonstrated their great concern for elephant welfare and they’ve set a standard for other communities to follow.”

“The commission’s vote serves as a wake-up call for all zoos still using archaic circus-style training to control elephants with violence, physical punishment and fear,” stated IDA program director Suzane Roy. “It’s clear that once this practice is exposed, the public and elected officials will not tolerate this unnecessary cruelty.”

“We are proud of our commissioners and commend them for their compassionate and well researched deliberations.  The  time spent and questions asked on behalf of elephant welfare was refreshing and inspiring,” said Janice Douglas of United for Animals, a St. Lucie County-based animal advocacy organization. “The Commissioners did not blindly approve the NEC project and their attention to detail resulted in multiple added provisions for continued humane treatment of elephants.  The recommendation for a volunteer advisory board is insightful and would increase the confidence of animal advocates and local citizens.  We have set a precedent in St. Lucie County that will be hopefully emulated by other communities within Florida and nationwide. The banning of cruel bullhooks clearly demonstrates that our county commissioners take humane issues seriously, and sends a strong message that inhumane practices will not be tolerated in our community.”

The National Elephant Center is an elephant breeding and holding compound developed by a consortium of zoos, with assistance from the trash giant Waste Management. The bullhook is a fireplace poker-type device with a steel-tipped hook that is used to strike, stab, hook and prod elephants to force them to comply with commands. Many U.S. zoos, such as San Diego, Oakland, Dallas and North Carolina, have abandoned circus-style training for modern and humane methods that rely on positive reinforcement and cooperation, instead of physical punishment and coercion.

Contacts:
Suzanne Roy (IDA), 919.796.9389
RaeLeann Smith (PETA), 757.943.7270
Susan Parry (United for Animals), unitedway4animals@aol.com

Read more about the NEC on IDA’s Elephant Blog.