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7/27/2019 FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program
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TASK FORCE ON THE WOODLAND PARK ZOO ELEPHANT EXHIBIT & PROGRAM
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7/27/2019 FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program
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Copies of this report and related resources are available at:
http://www.elephanttaskforce.org
Cocker Fennessy, Inc. | 401 Second Avenue South, Suite 501 | Seattle WA 98104 | 206-652-9506
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
TRANSMITTAL LETTER....................................................................................................................................................................4
EXECUTIVESUMMARYTaskForceFormationandProcess....................................................................................................................................................6Findings..........................................................................................................................................................................................................7
HealthandManagement...................................................................................................................................................................7Education.................................................................................................................................................................................................7Conservation............................................................................................................................................... ............................................7
OptionsandRecommendations..........................................................................................................................................................8LongTermOptions..............................................................................................................................................................................8Implications............................................................................................................................................................................................8
AdditionalRecommendations..............................................................................................................................................................9ManagementandCare............................................................................................................................................................... .........9EducationalOpportunities...............................................................................................................................................................9ConservationEnrichments..................................................................................................................................................... ..........9
FINAL REPORTBackground&PurposeoftheTaskForce...................................................................................................................................10TaskForceCharge....................................................................................................................................... ...........................................10Process........................................................................................................................................................................................................11Perspectives..................................................................................................................................................... .........................................12ExpertReviewPanel.............................................................................................................................................................................13OnElephants.................................................................................................................................................... .........................................13KeyFindings..............................................................................................................................................................................................15
HealthandManagement.............................................................................................................................................. ..................15Process..................................................................................................................................................... .........................................15Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... ........15Implications............................................................................................................................................................................... .....17
EducationandConservation...................................................................................................................................... ..................17Process..................................................................................................................................................... .........................................17Findings.................................................................................................................................................................................... ........18Implications................................................................................................................................................................................ ....18
OptionsandRecommendations..................................................................................................................................... ..................19LongTermOptions..................................................................................................................................................................... .....19
Implications........................................................................................................................................... .........................................19AdditionalRecommendations.....................................................................................................................................................20
ManagementandCare.............................................................................................................................................. .................20EducationalOpportunities.......................................................................................................................................................20ConservationEnrichments..................................................................................................................................... .................20
MinorityViews.................................................................................................................................................. .......................................21NextSteps..................................................................................................................................................................................................22
APPENDICESAppendixA:TaskForceChargeAppendixB:GuidingPrinciplesAppendixC:MeetingAgendaSummaryAppendixD:Interviews&OutreachAppendixE:TaskForceBiographies
AppendixF:ExpertReviewPanelBiographiesAppendixG:ExpertReviewPanelReportAppendixH:PublicCommentsAppendixI:Bibliography
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October22,2013NancyPellegrinoChair,WoodlandParkZooBoardofDirectors601N.59thStreetSeattle,WA98103Subject:TaskForceontheWoodlandParkZooElephantExhibit&ProgramFinalReportDearChairpersonPellegrino,
OnbehalfofallthemembersoftheTaskForceontheWoodlandParkZoo(WPZ)ElephantExhibit&Program,wearepleasedtosubmitthisfinalreportonourevaluationoftheWPZelephantshealthandcare,andthevalueoftheelephantprogramandexhibittothezooseducationandconservationobjectives.BeforedescribingtheTaskForceswork,wewanttosayafewwordsaboutelephants.TheTaskForcehaslearnedthatelephantsaretrulyremarkableinmanyways.Obviously,theyarelargetheworldslargestlivinglandmammal,withmale,Africanelephantsweighingupto15,000lbs.Anelephantstrunkisamazinginitsstrength,dexterityanduses.Elephantsarealsoremarkablyintelligent.Theyareinquisitiveandcurious.Individualelephantshaveuniquepersonalities.Theyareverysocial,livinginthewildinclosesocialgroupscalledherds.Threeorfourgenerationsofcows
andcalvesspendtheirentirelivestogetherwiththeexceptionofmales,wholeavethegroupatpuberty.Thematriarchrememberswhereandhowtofindwaterandfood,howtoavoidpredators,thebestplacesforshelterandteachestheyoungerelephantsabouthowtobehaveinelephantsociety.Elephantsandhumanshaveacomplexrelationship.Elephantshaveamazed,inspiredandfrightenedhumansbothinthewildandincaptivityforcenturies.Elephantsinthewildareinaperilousdecline.Currentestimatesplaceapproximately500,000Africanelephantsinthewildandapproximately50,000Asians.Duetotheacceleratingthreatsofhabitatloss,humanelephantconflictandillegalwildlifetrade,AsianandAfricanelephantsareofincreasingconservationconcern.Someconservationistsbelievethatunlessactionistakennow,virtuallyallwildelephantswillbegonebeforetheendofthecentury.
Ashumanshavegainedagreaterunderstandingofelephants,ourviewshaveevolvedregardingtheappropriatenessofkeepingelephantsincaptivity.Somebelieve,quitestrongly,thatzoosareinappropriateforelephantstheybelievethatelephantssuffermorethanotherspeciesincaptivity,againduetotheirintelligence,theirsocialnatureandtheirmigratorylifestyleinthewild.SomeadvocatesarenowurgingthattheWPZsthreeelephantsbemovedtoasanctuaryandthattheelephantexhibitbeclosed.Othersbelievethatelephantsdonotsufferinahighqualityzoo,providedtheircareisexcellentandthatthefacilitybeofadequatesizeandcomplexitywithhighqualityenrichmentprograms.Theybelievethatzoosprovidetheonlychancetoviewliveelephantsformostofthehumanpopulationandthatzoosprovideunrivaledopportunitiesforeducatingzoovisitorsandfosteringofelephantconservation.
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TheTaskForcehaslistenedtothesedifferentperspectivesandhasobservedthateveryoneinthisdebateisfueledbyacommonloveforelephantsandanequaldedicationtoprotect,conserveandrestorethem.Elephantssimplymustbesavedandbroughttostablepopulationsinthewild.Overthepastsevenmonths,ourTaskForceofcitizenvolunteersdedicatedatremendousamountoftimeand
attentiontothiseffort.Theworkwaschallengingandsometimesledtodivergentperspectives.Itisclearthatpeoplearepassionateaboutthezooselephants.Itisalsoclearthatthezoosstaffhavegreatexpertise,skillandaffectionfortheelephants.Theyprovidefirstratecareanddotheirbesttoprovideahighqualityexperienceforthethreeelephantsintheircare.Thatsaid,thekeyareaofcommongroundforallTaskForcemembersisthatalthoughtheelephantsarehealthyandstaffprovidegoodcare,continuingtheexhibitandprogramasitcurrentlyfunctionsisnotviableforthelongtermandchangesareneededtoadvancetheWPZsmission.Acompletesetourfindings,twoviablemanagementoptionsandrecommendationsareoutlinedinthisreport.Webelieveourworkprovidesacredible,collaborativeandobjectivereportfortheWPZBoardtoconsiderasyouevaluatenextstepsfortheelephantexhibitandprogram.
Thankyouforthisopportunity.Thistremendouslearningexperiencehasleftuswithprofoundappreciationandrespectforthesemagnificentanimals.Sincerely,
JanHendrickson,CoChair JayManning,CoChair
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EXECUTIVESUMMARYTheTaskForceontheWoodlandParkZooElephantProgramandExhibit(TaskForce)wascreatedbytheWoodlandParkZooBoardofDirectors(WPZBoard)andchargedwithconductinganobjectiveandtransparentreviewoftheWoodlandParkZooelephantshealthandcare,andthevalueoftheelephantprogramandexhibittothezooseducationandconservationobjectives(Appendix A:TaskForceCharge).ThisExecutiveSummarydescribestheformationoftheTaskForceandtheprocessitfollowed,thefindingsoftheTaskForceregardinghealthandmanagement,educationandconservation,andprovideslongtermoptionsandrecommendationsforfurtherconsiderationbytheWPZBoard.ThefindingsrepresentscommonagreementofTaskForcemembers.DifferingviewsofTaskForcemembersarealsonotedintheExecutiveSummary.Finallyamoredescriptivereportofkeyminorityopinionsarealsoincludedthebodyofthereport.
TASK FORCE FORMATION AND PROCESSJanHendrickson,cofounderofDennyHillCapitalandaformerWPZBoardchair,andJayManning,anenvironmentalattorneyandchiefofstafftoformerGov.ChristineGregoire,cochairedtheTaskForce.TheydirectedtherecruitmentoftwelveadditionalTaskForcemembers,includingfourmembersofthecurrentWPZBoard(AppendixE:TaskForceBiographies).TheTaskForceconvenedanExpertReviewPanel(ERP)toevaluatethehealthandcareoftheWoodlandParkZooelephants.TheERPmembersarescientificandmedicalexpertswidelyregardedasleadersintheirfieldinsuchareasaselephantreproduction,animalbehavior,veterinarymedicineandelephantandrarespeciesconservation(AppendixF:ERPBiographies).TheERPexaminedtheWPZelephantsandtheWPZelephantfacilities,reviewedmedicalrecordsandotherhealthdata,andinterviewedWPZstaff.TheERPaddressedthreeissues: HealthstatusoftheelephantsatWPZ SocialwellbeingoftheelephantsatWPZ TheelephantbreedingprogramatWPZTheERPprepareditsowndetailedreport
(AppendixG:ERPReport),andinthisreport,theTaskForceadoptstheERPsfindings.TheERPalsoprovidedanextensiveoralpresentationtotheTaskForcedescribingitsprocessanditsfindings,followedbyanopportunityforquestionsandanswers.
TaskForcemembersalsovisitedtheWPZelephantexhibitandreviewedanextensivecollectionofmaterialsincludingarticlesbyscholarsinthefieldsofanimalbehavior,elephantconservationandeducation,andzooelephantexhibits.TheTaskForcealsoreviewedmaterialssubmittedbycriticsoftheWPZelephantprogram.TaskForcemeetingsincludeddetailedpresentationsonawiderangeofissuesrelatedtoelephantsinthewildandincaptivity,elephantconservationandeducationprograms,theroleofzoos,theroleofelephantsanctuaries,thedesignofexhibits,andrelatedissues.PresentationsweremadebyWPZstaffandotherexperts.Veterinarians,animalrightsactivists,animalbehaviorists,elephantsanctuarypersonnel,andacademicresearcherssharedtheirperspectives.Inaddition,theTaskForceheardfromdirectorsofotherzoosnationallyrecognizedfortheirelephantexhibitsandfromdirectorsofzoosthatnolongerholdelephantsintheiranimalcollections(AppendixC:MeetingAgendaSummaryandAppendixD:Interviews&Outreach).TheTaskForceheldthreetofourhourlongpublicmeetingsmonthlyfromAprilthroughAugustin
ordertocompleteitsdatagatheringphase.TheTaskForcethenspentthemonthofSeptemberandaportionofOctoberdiscussingandpreparingthefindingsandrecommendationssummarizedbelow.
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FINDINGSHEALTHANDMANAGEMENT TheoverallhealthoftheelephantsatWPZis
good.Noneoftheelephantshavesignificant
medicalconditions. TheExpertReviewPanel(ERP)foundallthree
elephantsarebright,alertandactive.
TheWPZstaffiswelltrainedandprovidesexcellentcaretothethreeelephants.
TheelephantBambooisisolatedfromWatoto.Thesocialwellbeingofthecurrentherdmaybeimprovedifthetwoelephantscanbesafelyintegrated.
TherearemoderateoccurrencesofrepetitivebehaviorsbyChaiandmildoccurrencesbyWatotoandBamboo.TheERPdeterminedthatnoneoftheelephantsexhibitsignsofdistress,
frustration,orpathology,butnevertheless,suggestedthatthesocialandbehavioralwellbeingoftheWPZelephantsshouldbeimproved.Improvingtheelephantfacility,theenrichmentprogram,andcreatingamultigenerationalherdarethreeoptionsthatmightaddressthisconcern.Continuedmonitoring,includingeveningmonitoring,couldimproveunderstandingandhelpinformmanagementpractices.
WatotoandBambooareofpostbreedingage.ShouldtheWPZdecidetocontinuebreedingChaitoprovideamultigenerationalherdexperience,thehighestprobabilityofhavinga
calfisthroughnaturalbreeding. Elephantendotheliotropicherpesvirus(EEHV)
hasnotbeendiagnosedinWatoto,Bamboo,orChai,butasymptomaticEEHVcarrierstatuscannotberuledout.
EDUCATION TheTaskForcebelievesthatzoosand
elephantsplayacriticalroleineducatingvisitors,andthelargercommunity,aboutanimals,conservationandscience.
Informaleducationcancontributetoabroadrangeofcognitive,emotionalandpractical
outcomes.Theseoutcomesaresupportedwhenexperiencesarelinkedtoparticipantspriorexperiencesandgivenimmediateandfutureopportunitiestoact.TaskForcemembersbelievethatvisitingtheWPZselephantexhibitis,formanyvisitors,apowerfulinformaleducationexperiencewithgreatpotentialtobringaboutbehaviorsthatsupportelephantconservation.However,theinitialimpactofvisitingelephantscandissipatewithoutintentionalfollowupandimmediate
opportunitiestolinktheWPZelephantexperiencewithactionsthatcontributetoelephantconservation.
TheTaskForcebelievesthatthepublicsperceptionofthehealthandwellbeingoftheelephantsisimportanttoWPZsabilitytofulfillitsconservationeducationmission.TheTaskForcebelievesthehigherthequalityofWPZselephantexhibitandprogram,thestrongertheeducationalexperience,andthegreatertheconnectionmadebetweenseeingandlearningabouttheelephantsatWPZ,andcaringandactingtoconserveelephantsinthewild.
CONSERVATION TheTaskForcebelievesthatelephantsare
endangeredinthewildandimmediateactionstoprotectthemareneeded.Thereisalsoa
veryrealthreatofextinctioninthewild,especiallyofAsianelephants,inourlifetime,ifcurrenttrendsarenotreversed.
WPZcontributestotheelephantconservationecosystemintwoways.Thefirstisbyeducatingzoovisitorsandpromptinggreaterconcernabouttheplightofelephantsinthewildthusincreasingthelikelihoodthatzoovisitorswilltakeactiontosupportelephantconservation.Thesecondisbydirectfinancialandtechnicalsupportofconservationprogramsinelephantrangecountries.
TheTaskForcebelievestheprimarypurposeforhavinganelephantprogramandexhibitistoprovideanengagingexperiencethatwillinspireWPZmembersandgueststolearn,careandacttohelpconserveelephantsandtheirhabitatsinthewild.
TheTaskForcebelievesthatconservationeducationandtheopportunityforzoovisitorstotakeactionsthatcontributetoelephantconservationisavitallyimportantfunctionoftheWPZ.
TheTaskForcealsobelievesthattheWPZssupportofelephantconservationthroughdirectinvestmentinconservationeffortsinelephantrangecountries,aswellasleadership
andadvocacyonabroadernationallevelisimportant,shouldcontinueandbeincreased.
MembersoftheTaskForcealsobelieveWPZdirectfinancialsupportofconservationprogramsinelephantrangeprogramsshouldbeincreased.
AminorityoftheTaskForcebelievesthereisinsufficientevidencetosupporttheclaimthatvisitingelephantsatzooscausesvisitorstosupportelephantconservation.
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OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONSTheTaskForcerecognizesthatdecisionsregardingtheelephantprogramatWPZaretheprerogativeoftheWPZBoardandstaff.TheTaskForceprovidesthefollowingoptionsandrecommendationsregardingthecareoftheelephantscurrentlyatWPZandthefutureoftheWPZelephantprogram.
LONG-TERM OPTIONS
Option 1: Create a multi-generational herd with an effective breeding program.
Implementexpeditiousstrategiestobuildamultigenerationalherd,includingthenaturalbreedingofChai.Inadditionto,orinsteadofbreedingChai,considerbringinginadditionalcowsandperhapsabulltocreateamultigenerationalherd.
Begintheexhibitandprogramplanningandinvestmentsnecessarytosupportagrowingmultigenerationalherd,includingthebuildingofastateoftheartelephantfacility.TheTaskForcerecognizesthatthecreationofamultigenerationalherdandfacilitywilltakeanumberofyears.
Developworldclasseducationalprogrammingdesignedtoinstillconcernandempathyforelephantsandotherthreatenedorendangeredspeciesandtopromptconservationadvocacyandactioninzoo
visitorsandonabroadernationallevel. ThemajorityoftheTaskForcerecommendsthisoption.
Option 2: Improve the existing exhibit but allow current elephants to age out or retire at
the appropriate time.
DonotbreedChaianddonotbringadditionalelephantstoWPZ. Improvetheexhibitandenrichmentprogramfortheexistingelephantherdandallowthemtoageat
theWPZuntiltheypassortheyaremoved.
Developworldclasseducationalprogrammingdesignedtoinstillconcernandempathyforelephantsandotherthreatenedorendangeredspeciesandtopromptconservationadvocacyandactioninzoovisitorsandonabroadernationallevel.
Usethethreeelephantsasrepresentativesofthethreatenedelephantsinthewildwhilesignificantlyenhancingconservationefforts(fieldandpublicpolicy)andsharpeningthefocusoftheeducationprogramandcreatingpathwaystosaveelephantsinthewild.
Whenthethreecurrentelephantsaredeceasedormoved,WPZwoulddiscontinueitselephantprogram.
AminorityoftheTaskForcemembersrecommendthisoption.IMPLICATIONS BothoptionsidentifiedbytheTaskForcewouldrequireWPZBoardandmanagementdirectedimprovementstotheWPZElephantExhibit&Program.AlthoughtheTaskForcecommendsthe
WPZforoperatingahighqualityprogramandexhibit,withwelltrainedstaff,theTaskForceisunanimousinitsviewthatmaintainingthestatusquofortheindefinitefutureisnotaviablelongtermoption.TheTaskForcerecognizesthatOptionOnewouldtakeanumberofyearstoplan,fundand
implement.OptionTwoalsoinvolvessignificantimprovementstotheelephantexhibitandprogram.Impliedbybothalternatives,ifneitherareconsideredviableofifneithercanbe
successfullyimplemented,isclosureoftheelephantexhibit.NoTaskForcememberprefersthisastheirfirstoption.However,ifneitheroptionareimplemented,theTaskForcebelievesthataclosureplanshouldbeseriouslyconsideredbytheWPZBoard.
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ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONSInadditiontotheprimarymanagementoptionsdescribedabove,theTaskForcerecommendsthefollowingforWPZBoardconsideration.Theyaregroupedintothreecategories:managementandcare,educationalopportunitiesandconservationenrichments.
MANAGEMENT AND CARE Ifitcanbedonesafely,reintegrateBamboo
andWatototoreduceisolationandimprovethesocialwelfareoftheherd.o Ifreintegrationcannotbedonesafely,
WPZshouldconsidertransferringoneelephanttoanotherAZAaccreditedfacilitythatwillprovideahealthyandhighqualityenvironment.
o LeavingWPZwithonlyoneortwoelephantsforthelongtermshouldbeavoided,asitwouldworkagainstthebroadersocialwelfaregoal.
Improvetheelephantfacilitiestoenhancethehealthandsocialwellbeingoftheelephants,including:o Diminishingchokepointsandproviding
morethanoneentrance/exitinthebarn.o Addingsupplementalwind/rainshelters
andoutdoorheatinginordertoallowtheelephantsmoreflexibilitytochoosewhere,howandwithwhomtospendtheirtime.
o Improvingsubstratediversityinbarnandyard.
o Expandingactivitiesandenrichmentpracticestoimprovebehavioralhealthandsupportcontinuedgoodmedicalhealth.
o Increasingthesizeandcomplexityoftheyardtoprovideadditionalbehavioralandphysicaldiversityfortheelephantsaswellastoimprovetheperceptionofvisitors.
o Upgradingcamerasinthebarntoallow24hourmonitoringanddatacollectionoftheelephants.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES Designelephantexhibitlearningexperiences
thatbuildupontheideasandexperiencesofzoovisitors,connectvisitorstorelevant
learningresourceswithinandbeyondWPZ
andillustrateimmediatewaystoacttoeffectuateelephantconservationandconservationgenerally.
Expandeducationalprogramsrelatedtoelephantstocreatestrongerawarenessoftheplightofelephantsandotherthreatenedorendangeredspecies.
Strengthenanddeepeneducationprogrampartnersincludinghighereducationandnonprofitpartnerswithrelevantexpertiseininformaleducation.
PartnerwithrepresentativesfromcommunitieswhounderutilizetheWPZs
resourceswiththegoalofdevelopingprogramsthatareaccessibletoandofinteresttothesecommunities.
Considerregularandintentionaleducationalinteractionswithreturningvisitorstoincreasethelikelihoodofincreasingconservationactions
CONSERVATION ENRICHMENTS
Increasefocusandresourcesdevotedtoimprovingfederalandglobalpoliciesthatwillenhanceelephantconservationpracticesin
AfricanandAsiancountries. SignificantlyincreasetheWPZscontribution
toinsituconservationprograms,particularlyinAsia.
Consistentwiththeeducationrecommendationssetforthabove,linkWPZeducationalprogramsandzoovisitsgenerallywithimmediateconservationactionopportunities,i.e.,makeiteasyforzoovisitorstotakeimmediateactiontocontributetotheconservationofelephants.
WorkwiththeAZA,andelephantexpertsfromotherzoosandorganizations,tomoreeffectivelyconnecttheWPZselephant
programtonationaleffortstoprotectelephantsinthewild.
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TASK FORCE ON THE WOODLAND PARK ZOOELEPHANT EXHIBIT & PROGRAM
JanHendrickson&JayManning,CoChairsMarianneBichsel GrantDeggingerGeneDuvernoy AnnetteLaicoJeffreyLeppo RobLiddellJeannieNordstrom BryceSeidlAndrewShouse BryanSlinkerLynTangen SuzanneWalsh
FINALREPORTBACKGROUND & PURPOSE OF THE TASK FORCE
TheTaskForce,createdbytheWoodlandParkZooBoardofDirectors(WPZBoard),conductedanobjectiveandtransparentreviewoftheWoodlandParkZooelephantshealthandcare,andthevalueoftheelephantprogramandexhibittothezooseducationandconservationobjectives.Adiversegroupofcommunityleadersrepresentingabroadrangeofbackgrounds,includingfourmemberswhoserveontheWPZBoard,wereselectedtoserveontheTaskForce(AppendixE:TaskForceBiographies).TaskForcemembershaveexpertiseinbiology,veterinarymedicine,theenvironmentandenvironmentallaw,education,publicpolicy,nonprofitoperationsandmanagement,andahistoryofcommunityservice.Theywereinstructedtobeopen,objectiveandthoughtfulintheirevaluationoftheelephantexhibitandtoapproach
theirworkwithoutpreconceivedoutcomesorpositions.ThefollowingguidingprincipleswereadoptedbytheTaskForce(AppendixB:GuidingPrinciples):
FocusonreviewingtheWoodlandPark
Zooselephantshealthandcare,andthevalueoftheelephantprogramtothezoosconservationobjectives.
Collaborative,fairandimpartialinourwork.Asindividuals,wemayrepresentspecificconstituencies,butwewillworkcollaborativelyandconsideradditionalperspectives.
Objectiveandevidencedriven,relyingonthebestavailabledataandknowledge.
Transparentinourprocessandoutcomes,fosteringanenvironmentofopencommunicationandhonesty.
Respectfulofourcolleagues,presentersandthepublic.
Timelyandefficientinourwork. Forthcomingaboutagreementsand
disagreements,silencewillbetakenasagreement.Minorityopinionswillbeconsidered.
TASK FORCE CHARGE
TheWPZBoardchargedtheTaskForcewithconductingadatadriven,objectivereviewofthezooselephantprogram,exhibitandcurrentelephantwelfareandtoproduceareporttotheboard(AppendixA:TaskForceCharge).OverthecourseofnearlysevenmonthstheTaskForceconsideredthestatusofelephantsintheworld,thethreatstotheirsurvivalandtheoptionsforcareofmanagedelephantsattheWoodlandParkZoo.
TheTaskForcewasnotchargedwithstudyingbroaderissuesregardingzoosorelephants,norwasitchargedwithconductingpublicforumsonwhetherelephantsshouldbepartofthewildlifecollectionatthezoo.ThemissionofthezoowasnotpartoftheTaskForcesscope.TheWPZBoardaskedtheTaskForcetoproduceareportthatincludedananalysisoftheirwork,anoverviewoftheissuesdiscussedbytheTaskForceandfindings,whichmayincludesuggestionsforfurtherconsiderationbytheWPZBoard.
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PROCESS
TheTaskForcemetonceamonthbetweenAprilandAugustinpublicmeetings(AppendixC:MeetingAgendaSummary).Thesemeetingswerebetweenthreeandfourhourslong,opentothepublicandvideotaped.TaskForcemembersalsovisitedtheWPZelephantexhibitandheldstudysessionstoreviewanddiscussspecificissuesindepth.InSeptemberandOctober,theTaskForceconductedtwo,fourhourworksessionsand
collaboratedbyphoneandemailtodevelopthisreport.ThereportwasreleasedatapublicmeetingonOctober22nd.TheTaskForcefollowedathreestepprocessinitsreviewoftheWPZelephantexhibit:1. Informationgatheringonstatusofelephants,
WPZexhibitandbestpractices2. EvaluationofhealthandcareofWPZ
elephants3. DevelopmentofrecommendationsTheTaskForceskickoffmeetinginAprilfocused
onestablishinggroundrulesandoperatingprocedurestoguidetheirwork.TheExpertReviewPanel(ERP)wasalsocommissionedatthismeetingalongwithanindepthbriefingonelephantsbothinthewildandatzoos.Membersvisitedtheelephantexhibit,reviewedmaterials,andreceivedaseriesofpresentationsaboutelephantconservationandeducationprogramsbyzoostaffandbyoutsideexpertsrepresentingdifferentperspectives.TaskForcepublicmeetingsfocusedonpresentationfrompanelistsanddiscussionsamongmembers.Task
Forcemembersalsoparticipatedinconferencecallswithotherzoos;briefingsconductedbytheERP;andheldseveralworksessionsinSeptember.AttheirMaymeeting,theTaskForceheardpresentationsfromexpertsontheAssociationofZoos&AquariumsandtheGlobalFederationofAnimalSanctuariesaccreditationstandardsandpolicies.TheTaskForcealsoparticipatedinapaneldiscussionwithleadingexpertsfromelephantsanctuariesaroundthecountrytolearnfirsthandaboutthestateofsanctuariesandtheir
roleinanimalconservationandheardapresentationfromarepresentativeofInDefenseofAnimals.TheExpertReviewPanelinitiatedtheirinvestigationoftheWPZelephantshealthand
socialwellbeinginlatespring.AnupdatewasprovidedattheTaskForcesJunemeeting.TheTaskForcealsoreceivedabriefingontheWPZelephantprogramfromzoostafffollowedbyanindepthpresentationonbestpracticesforelephantenrichmentatotherzoosaroundthecountryledbyleadersfromtheOaklandandDenverzoos.TheroleofzoosineducationandconservationwasthekeyfocusfortheTaskForcesJuly
meeting.MembersheardpresentationsontheroleofzooswithregardtooutofschoollearningfromaleadingexpertfollowedbyapresentationanddiscussionoftheWPZsongoingeducationandconservationprograms.TheTaskForcealsodiscussedbestpracticesatotherzoos.ThefindingsoftheExpertReviewPanelwerethefocusfortheTaskForcesAugustmeeting,withpresentationbypanelmembersbothinpersonandconnectedviavideoconference.TheERPfindingsprovidedkeyinformationtoinformtheTaskForcesrecommendations.Themeetingalso
includedabriefingontheWPZsexistingplansfortheelephantexhibit.DuringSeptembertheTaskForcereceivedtheERPsfinalreport(AppendixG:ExpertReviewPanelReport)andpubliccommentswerereceived.Twostudysessionswerealsoheldtobegintheprocessofdevelopingfinalrecommendations.Bydesign,theTaskForceundertookaniterativeprocessthatallowedittobuildacommonandconsistentlevelofinformationandinsightsbyall
membersoverthesevenmonthprocess.EachmeetingbuiltonthegrowingbodyofinformationandunderstandingofthestatusoftheWPZselephantexhibitanditsroleinconservationandeducation.ThisfinalreportisaconsolidationofalltheTaskForcesworkandinformationreviewed.
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PERSPECTIVES
Duringtheirreview,theTaskForceconsultedawiderangeofnationalexpertsincludinginpersonpresentationsatmeetings.Followingisalistofthosewhoappearedbefore,spokewithorsharedinformationwiththeTaskForce: AndrewBaker,PhD,ChiefOperatingOfficer,
PhiladelphiaZoo RobynBarbiers,DVM,President,AntiCruelty
Society,Chicago,IL KevinBell,President&CEO,LincolnParkZoo JackieBennett,DeputyDirector,GreatApes
andRegionalAccreditation,GlobalFederationofAnimalSanctuaries
ScottBlais,CoFounder,formerDirectorofOperations,TheElephantSanctuaryinTennessee(correspondence)
BruceBohmke,ChiefOperationsOfficer,WoodlandParkZoo
JanineBrown,PhD,ReproductivePhysiologist,DepartmentofReproductiveSciences,SmithsonianConservationBiologyInstitute,CenterforSpeciesSurvival,NationalZoologicalPark
JamieCreola,VicePresidentofEducation,WoodlandParkZoo
JohnFalk,Director,CenterforResearchonLifelongSTEMLearning,SeaGrantProfessorofFreeChoiceLearning,OregonStateUniversity
AlyneFortgang,FriendsoftheWoodlandParkZooElephants
NancyHawkes,PhD,GeneralCurator,WoodlandParkZoo
GreggHudson,ExecutiveDirector&CEO,DallasZoologicalSociety DeborahJensen,PhD,President&CEO,
WoodlandParkZoo LisaKane,JD,authorofAnOptimalFuturefor
WoodlandParkZooElephants FredKoontz,PhD,VicePresidentofField
Conservation,WoodlandParkZoo
JohnLehnhardt,ExecutiveDirector,TheNationalElephantCenter
JohnLewis,President&CEO,LosAngelesZoo GuyLichty,MammalCurator,NorthCarolina
Zoo NicoleMeyer,InDefenseofAnimals MicheleAnnMiller,DVM,PhD,MPH,
ConservationVeterinarian,RareSpeciesConservatoryFoundation
JoelParrott,DVM,President&CEOOaklandZoo
EdPajor,PhD,ProfessorofAnimalWelfareandFacultyofVeterinaryMedicine,DepartmentofProductionAnimalHealth,
UniversityofCalgary CraigPiper,FormerPresident&CEO,Denver
Zoo HeidiRiddle,CofounderandDirectorof
Operations,RiddleAnimalSanctuary KimSmith,President&CEO,OregonZoo AngelaSpivey,CommunicationsManager,The
ElephantSanctuaryinTennessee(submittedapresentation)
EdStewart,President&Cofounder,PAWS(PerformingAnimalWelfareSociety)(correspondence)
KristinL.Vehrs,JD,ExecutiveDirector,AssociationofZoosandAquariums
JeffWyatt,DVM,MPHDirectorofAnimalHealthandConservation,SenecaParkZoo;ProfessorandChair,DepartmentofComparativeMedicine,UniversityofRochesterSchoolofMedicineandDentistry
TaskForcememberswerealsoprovidedalargenumberofdocuments,rangingfromscientificarticlesandreportstoWPZspecificdocuments.AlldocumentsprovidedtoTaskForcemembersandvideotaperecordingsofthepublicmeetingsareavailableforpublicreviewontheTaskForcewebsite:www.elephanttaskforce.org/materials.Abibliographyisalsoprovided(AppendixI:Bibliography).
ThepublicwasalsoencouragedtosubmitwrittencommentsatTaskForcemeetingsandonthewebsite.Commentswereanalyzedandpresentedateverymeeting.Theywerealsopostedonthewebsitetwiceamonth.BetweenApril1andOctober15,156commentswerereceivedinwriting(email,commentcards,letters)from82individuals(AppendixH:PublicComments).
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EXPERT REVIEW PANEL (ERP)
TheERPmembersarealloutsidescientificandmedicalexperts.BriefbiographiesandlinkstoonlineCVsareprovidedinAppendixF.
BRYANSLINKER,DVM,PhD,ProfessorandDean,CollegeofVeterinaryMedicine,WashingtonStateUniversity,Pullman,WA(Chair)
ROBYNBARBIERS,DVM,President,AntiCrueltySociety,Chicago,IL(14yearsasDirectorofVeterinaryServicesatChicagosLincolnParkZoo)
JANINEBROWN,PhD,ReproductivePhysiologist,DepartmentofReproductiveSciences,SmithsonianConservationBiologyInstitute,CenterforSpeciesSurvival,NationalZoologicalPark,Washington,DC
MICHELEANNMILLER,DVM,PhD,MPH,ConservationVeterinarian,RareSpeciesConservatoryFoundation,Loxahatchee,FL EDPAJOR,PhD,ProfessorofAnimalWelfareandFacultyofVeterinaryMedicine,DepartmentofProductionAnimalHealth,
UniversityofCalgary,Calgary,Canada JEFFWYATT,DVM,MPH,DirectorofAnimalHealthandConservation,SenecaParkZoo;ProfessorandChair,Departmentof
ComparativeMedicine,UniversityofRochesterSchoolofMedicineandDentistry,Rochester,NY
EXPERT REVIEW PANEL
TheTaskForceappointedanExpertReviewPanel(ERP)toevaluatetheWPZselephantprogramandexhibit,thehealthandcareofitsthreeelephants,andthevalueoftheexhibitand
programtothezooseducationandconservationobjectives.TheERPiscomprisedofhighlyrespectedveterinary,animalbehavior,elephantbreedingandanimalwelfareexperts.HavingtheirexpertiseandobjectiveperspectiveswasanimportantstepintheTaskForcesoverallevaluationofthezooselephantexhibit(AppendixF:ExpertReviewPanelBiographies).ThepanelistsexaminedtheWPZelephants,theirfacilities,reviewedrecordsandinterviewedWPZstaff.Specifically,thepaneladdressedthreeissues:
HealthstatusoftheelephantsatWPZ SocialwellbeingoftheelephantsatWPZ TheelephantbreedingprogramatWPZTheERPmetbyconferencecalltoreviewandacceptthechargeandtodevelopaworkplanforsitevisitsatthezoo.ThisworkplanincludedalistofdocumentsthatstaffoftheWPZagreedtoprovideinadvanceofthesitevisit.Duetoaschedulingconflict,butmadepossiblebythedivisionofexpertise,Dr.BrownconductedanindependenttwodaysitevisitinearlyJuneaftertherestofthepanelweretogetherforatwoday
sitevisitinlateMay.Eachsitevisitconsistedofamixofbothscheduledandunscheduledmeetingswithappropriatezoostaff,meetingofthepanelinexecutivesessionwithoutzoostaff,bothplannedandunplannedtoursbypanelmemberstoobserveelephantsintheexhibityardandinthebarnduringmorningexaminations/baths/treatments,andaculminatingexitdebriefingwithanyTaskForce
memberswhocouldattend.Thepurposeofthelatterwastwofold:1)becausethereportwasnottobedeliveredinfulluntillateAugustandthesitevisitswereinlateMayandearlyJune,thePanel
feltitprudenttoadvisetheTaskForceofpreliminaryfindingswhiletheywerefreshand,mostimportant,2)tohearquestionstheTaskForcemembershadsothePanelcouldprovidedesiredmissinginformationasthefinalreportwasprepared.ForthelateMayexitdebrief,Dr.Browncalledinonthephone.ForhersitevisitinearlyJune,shemetwithDr.Slinkerbyphonetheafternoonoftheseconddaytodiscussherfindings,andDr.Slinkerjoinedintheexitdebriefingbyphone.SubsequentlybriefsynopsesoftheseexitdebriefingswerepresentedatfullTFmeetingsinMayandJune.Subsequentconferencecallsand
emailexchangeswereheldoverthesummertodiscussthedevelopmentofdraftreportanditseditingforfinalpresentation.Throughoutthistimeperiod,thepanelhadfreeaccesstotherecordsandstaffoftheWPZ,includingadhocmeetingsandemailexchangestoclarifypointsofinformationorseeknewinformationasthereportwasprepared.ThisincludedadditionalreviewbyDr.Slinkerofmedicalrecordsfromearlieryearsinthelivesoftheseelephants.Thepanelproducedareportandpresenteditto
theTaskForceonAugust28,2013(AppendixG:ExpertReviewPanelReport).WithregardtothethreequestionspresentedtotheERP,theTaskForcereliesonandadoptstheERPsconclusionsandopinions.InsomecasestheTaskForceisprovidingoptionsthataremoreexplicitthantheERPsconsiderations.ThisdoesnotsignifydisagreementwiththeERP,butreflectstheTaskForcesviewofitsbroadercharge.
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ON ELEPHANTS
BeforedescribingtheTaskForcesfindings,itisappropriatetosayafewwordsaboutelephants.TheTaskForceconsistsprimarilyoflaypeoplewithlittletonopriorexpertiseregardingtheEarthslargestterrestrialanimal.TheTaskForcehaslearnedthatelephantsaretrulyremarkableinmanyways.Obviously,
theyarelargetheworldslargestlivinglandmammal,withmale,Africanelephantsweighingupto15,000lbs.Ofcourse,theirshapeisutterlyuniqueaswell.Anelephantstrunkisamazinginitsstrength,dexterityanduses.Atrunk,alone,weighsabout400pounds,canholdupto2.5gallonsofwater,andissodexterousthatitcanpickupagrainofrice.Elephantsareremarkablyintelligent.Theyareinquisitiveandcurious.Individualelephantshaveuniquepersonalities.Theycommunicatewitheachotherusingsubsonicvibrationsandsmellinwaysthatareuniquetoelephants.Theirsenseofsmellisthemosthighlydevelopedintheanimalkingdom.Theyareverysocial,livinginthewildinclosesocialgroupscalledherds,usuallymadeupof815relatedmembers,ledbyadominantcow.Threeorfour
generationsofcowsandcalvesspendtheirentirelivestogetherwiththeexceptionofmales,wholeavethegroupatpuberty.Thematriarchrememberswhereandhowtofindwaterandfood,howtoavoidpredatorsandthebestplacesforshelter.Shealsoteachestheyoungerelephantshowtobehaveinelephantsociety.Manyelephantsmigratelongdistancesinthewild.Others,especiallywherefoodisplentiful,donot.Elephantsandhumanshaveacomplexrelationship.ElephantshavebeenusedasbeastsofburdeninAsiaforcenturies.Theyarefeaturedineveryformofart,fromchildrensbookstoancientcavedrawings.
Humanshavebeenamazed,inspiredandfrightenedbyelephantsbothinthewildandincaptivityforcenturies.Elephantsinthewildareinaperilousdecline.Currentestimatesplaceapproximately500,000Africanelephantsinthewildandapproximately50,000Asians,andmanyofthefewremainingAsianelephantsarenottrulywild.Duetotheacceleratingthreatsofhabitatloss,humanelephantconflictandillegalwildlifetrade,AsianandAfricanelephantsareofincreasingconservationconcern.Ifcurrentratesofdecline(especiallyfrompoachingandretaliationkilling)continue,wildAfricanelephantsareingreatdangerofextinctionwithintwodecadesacrossmost
oftheirrangeinWest,CentralandEastAfrica,asarewildAsianelephantslivinginSoutheastAsia.Someconservationistsbelievethatunlessactionistakennow,virtuallyallwildelephantswillbegonebeforetheendofthecentury.Elephantshavebeenkeptinhumancareforthousandsofyearsfortransportation,asbeastsofburden,and,inrelativelysmallnumbers,forexhibition.Ashumanshavegainedagreater
understandingofelephants,viewshaveevolvedregardingkeepingelephantsincaptivity.Somenowbelieve,quitestrongly,thatzoosareinappropriateforelephants.Theseelephantadvocatesbelievethatelephantssuffermorethanotherspeciesincaptivity,duetotheirintelligence,theirsocialnatureandtheirmigratorylifestyleinthewild.SomeofthoseadvocatesarenowurgingthattheWPZsthreeelephantsbemovedtoasanctuary
andthattheelephantexhibitbeclosed.Thereisanotherviewthatelephantsdonotsufferinahighqualityzoo,providedtheircareisexcellentandthatthefacilityisofadequatesizeandcomplexitywithhighqualityenrichmentprograms.Manyalsobelievethatzoosprovidetheonlychancetoexperienceliveelephantsformostofthehumanpopulation.Theythinkzoosprovideunrivaledopportunitiesforeducatingpeopleaboutelephantsandtheinitiationandfosteringofelephantconservation,byinspiringvisitorstotakeactiontoconserveelephantsthemselvesandsupportlargeractionsbygovernmentsandnongovernmental
organizations.TheTaskForcehaslistenedtobothsidesofthiscontroversy.TheTaskForcehasobservedthatbotharefueledbyacommonloveforelephantsandanequaldedicationtoprotect,conserveandrestorethem.TheWPZBoardaskedthattheTaskForcenotdelveintothisphilosophicaldivide.TheTaskForcehasdoneitsbesttoadheretotheboardsrequest,but,asthereaderwillseefromthisreport,theTaskForcehasfounditchallengingtocompletelyavoidthisdifficultground.
AstheTaskForcepublishesthisreport,itrecognizesthatsomewillfinditusefulandwellreasoned,whileotherswilldisagreewiththefindingsandrecommendations.HowtheWPZBoardrespondsistheirprerogative.ButonecertainoutcomeofthisprocessisthatTaskForcemembershavethemselvesbeentransformedbythisexperienceandwillforeverbeadvocatesforelephants.Elephantssimplymustbesavedandbroughttostablepopulationsinthewild.
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KEY FINDINGS
Aftersixmonthsofinformationgathering,reviewandconsideration,theTaskForceidentifiedkeyfindingsinthefollowingareas:
1.
Healthandmanagement Health Socialwellbeing Breeding
2. Educationandconservation
Thissectiondescribestheprocessusedtodevelopfindings,explainsthefindingsagreedtobytheTaskForceandhighlightsresultingimplications.
ThefindingsrepresentscommonagreementofTaskForcemembers.DifferingviewsofTaskForcemembersaredescribedinmoredetailintheMinorityViewssection.
HEALTH AND MANAGEMENTPROCESSTheTaskForceconsideredinformationfrommultiplesourceswhenidentifyinghealthand
managementfindings.TaskForcemembersvisitedtheWPZelephantexhibitandrevieweddatafromexpertsinthefieldsofveterinarymedicine,animalwelfare,comparativemedicine,elephantmanagement,reproductivephysiologyandcaptiveanimalmanagement.TheTaskForcechargedagroupofexperts(ERP)withobjectivelyevaluatingtheWPZelephantshealth,welfareandsocialwellbeing,aswellastheircareandfacilities.TheTaskForcereliesonandadoptstheERPsfindings.(AppendixF:ExpertReviewPanelReport).TheTaskForcealsoreviewedmaterialssubmittedbycriticsoftheWPZelephantprogram(Appendix
I:BibliographyandAppendixH:PublicComments).
ThehealthandmanagementofelephantswasdiscussedatseveralTaskForcemeetings.WPZstaff,accreditationorganizations(GFASandAZA),andcurrentandformerzoodirectorsalsodeliveredpresentationsandsharedtheirperspectives(AppendixC:MeetingAgendaSummaryandAppendixD:Interviews&Outreach).InsomecasestheTaskForceisprovidingrecommendationsthataremoreexplicitthantheERPs.ThisreflectstheTaskForcesviewofitsbroadercharge.
FINDINGS
Health
Watoto(afemale,44yearoldAfricanelephant),Bamboo(afemale,46yearoldAsianelephant)andChai(afemale,34yearoldAsianelephant)areingoodmedicalhealth.TheWPZelephantsarebright,alertandactive.Noneoftheelephantshassignificantmedicalconditionsandhealthissuesarebeingproperlymanaged.TheExpert
ReviewPanelsharedtheirassessmentofthemedicalhealthandcareoftheWPZelephantsattheAugust28thTaskForcemeetingandintheirwrittenreport.TheTaskForceconcurswiththesefindings.Eachelephanthas,orhashad,properlymanagedhealthissues.Manyofthesehavenotbeenmedicallysignificant(e.g.,intermittentreducedjointmobility,skinirritationsandthickening,colic
andoccasionalfootcracks).Propercareandhusbandryaffordedtotheseanimalsismanagingmedicalissuestolimittheirmedicalsignificance.Excellentveterinarycare,animalhusbandrypracticesandcuratorexpertiseattheWPZelephantexhibitwerenotedbytheERPandininterviewsandpresentationsprovidedbyoutside
zooandanimalcareexperts.Aweightlossprotocolwasdevelopedinconsultationwithanutritionistandintersectswithamanagementplantousefeedandbrowseinwaysthatenrichandpromotemorepositivebehaviors.Theplanhasprogressedsuccessfully,butmoresoforChaiandWatoto.
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AccordingtotheERPandWPZrecords,annualtestingpartoftheanimalspreventivehealthprotocolandrequiredbytheUSDAcontinuestoshowthattheelephantsdonothavetuberculosis.TheTaskForcerecognizesthatthereisconcernaboutEEHVwithregardtothehealthofthe
elephantscurrentlyatWPZandelephantsbrought
toorbredatWPZ.TheTaskForcereviewednumerousstudiesandconsultedwiththeERPextensivelyonthistopic,findingthatEEHVhasneverbeendiagnosedinWatoto,BambooorChai,butasymptomaticEEHVcarrierstatuscannotberuledout.
Social Wellbeing
Overall,thebehavioralhealthandsocialwellbeingofthethreeelephantsisgood.Noneoftheelephantsshowssignsofsignificantdistress,frustration,orpathology.Ofsomeconcern,however,arethesocialisolationofBambooandWatotoandmoderatetomildoccurrencesofrepetitivebehaviors.TheTaskForceagreeswiththeERPsuggestionthat
thesocialandbehavioralwellbeingoftheWPZelephantsshouldbeimproved.InformationgatheredfromtheExpertReviewPanelandotherzoosindicatesthatrobustenrichmentprogramsandmultigenerationalherdmanagementcanbenefitelephantssocialwellbeing.ManyoftheindividualsinterviewedalsoofferedtoshareadditionalinformationandassistancetoWPZstaffandmanagement,ifdesired.TheERPreportalsoprovidesadditionalinformationaboutintegratedmanagementprotocolsandfacilityfeatures.TheTaskForceconcurswiththeERPfindingthatthesocialwellbeingofthecurrentherdmaybeimprovedifWatotoandBamboocanbesafely
integrated.(WatotoexhibitsaggressivebehaviortowardBamboo.)Theseparationofthesetwoelephantsiswellintentioned,buthascreatedsignificantlimitationsontheuseofyardandbarnspace.Theselimitationswouldbesignificantlyreducedifallthreeelephantscouldbemanagedasasinglesocialgrouping.Ahealthy,integratedherdcouldallowmoreflexibleuseofyardandbarn,whichwouldhelpsupportgoodfoothealth,
exercise,weight/bodyconditionandprovideadditionalsocialandbehavioralbenefits.TheERPreportprovidesadditionalinformationandconsiderationsaboutthisoption.Integrationwillrequireathoroughhealth,safety,socialandbehavioralriskassessment.Itwillalsoinvolveimprovements,includingenlargingtheyardandbarnandchangestoelephantmanagementpractices.AlthoughagreatdealofdatawasreviewedbytheERPandTaskForce,continuedmonitoring,includingeveningmonitoring,wouldimproveunderstandingandinformmanagementpractices.
Breeding
TheTaskForcechargedtheERPwithevaluatingtheelephantbreedingprogramofWPZandidentifyingoptionsforthefuture.TheERPwasaskedtoconsiderthemedicalandbehavioralfactorsoftheelephantsandthebestscientificliteratureandbestpracticesatleadingelephantfacilities.TheTaskForceconcurswiththeERPfindingsregardingbreeding.OnlyChaiisofbreedingageandpotential.Atage34,Chaiislikelynearingtheendofherexpectedbreedinglife.ShouldtheWPZdecidetocontinuebreedingChaitoprovideamultigenerationalherdexperience,naturalbreedingwouldhavethehighestprobabilityofsuccess.TheERPreviewedthe2009
decisiontreedevelopedbyWPZandagreedthatitcapturedallpossibleoptions,spanningfromnofurtherbreedingtoattemptednaturalbreeding.Giventhelackofsuccesswithartificialinseminationsince2005,theERPconcludedthatnaturalbreedingwouldhavethehighestprobabilityofsuccessinleadingtothelivebirthofacalf.InadditiontoconcurringwiththeERPfindingsregardingbreeding,theTaskForcebelievesthatifWPZdecidestobreedChai,WPZprofessionalstaffandscientificexpertsshouldconsiderthelatestscientificevidenceandevaluatewhetheritisprudenttomoveWatototoreducetheriskofEEHVinfection.
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IMPLICATIONS
AlthoughtheTaskForceagreeswiththeERPsassessmentoftheWPZelephantsgoodphysicalandsocialhealth,itbelievesthatimprovementsshouldbemadetotheelephantexhibitand
programinsupportofthebroadergoalsofproviding:amorehighlyenrichedenvironment,asafeenvironmentthatishighlyconducivetogoodhealth(particularlyastheelephantsage),andenhancedchoices,allowingtheWPZselephantstochoosewhereandwithwhomtospendtheirtime.Specificimprovementssuchasdiminishingchokepoints,improvingsubstratediversity,expandingenrichmentpractices,increasingthesizeandcomplexityoftheyardtoprovideadditionalbehavioralandphysicaldiversityfortheelephants,andupgradingbarncamerastoallowfor24hourmonitoringanddatacollectionwouldalignwiththesebroadergoals.
Morecomplexchangessuchasmanagingtheherdasonesocialgrouping(safelyreintegratingWatotoandBamboo)andbuildingamultigenerationalherdaretwolongertermpaths
towardsachievingthesegoals.Datafromthe$1.2millionstudyofallAsianandAfricanelephantsatAZAinstitutionsfundedbytheInstituteofMuseumandLibraryServices(IMLS)werenotavailableatthetimeofTaskForcedeliberations.TheTaskForceheardfrommanyexpertswhoexplainedthestudyspotentialtoimproveourunderstandingoftherelationshipbetweenenvironmentalvariablesandthephysicalandmentalhealthofzooelephants.TheTaskForcebelievesresultsfromthatstudywillbehelpfulindeterminingmanagementchangestoimproveelephantwelfare.
EDUCATION AND CONSERVATIONPROCESS
TheTaskForceundertookanextensivereviewoftherolezoosandelephantsplayineducatingthecommunityaboutanimals,conservationandscience,includingpresentationsfromleadingexperts.
AttheTaskForcesAprilmeeting,NancyHawkes,PhD,GeneralCuratorattheWoodlandParkZooprovidedanintroductiontoelephantsincludinginformationabouttheplightofelephantsinthewild.InMay,DeborahJensen,PhD,PresidentandChiefExecutiveOfficeroftheWoodlandParkZooandBruceBohmke,ChiefOperationsOfficeroftheWoodlandParkZoopresentedonWoodlandParkZooanditselephantprogram.InJuly,JohnH.Falk,Director,CenterforResearchonLifelongSTEMLearning,OregonStateUniversitygaveapresentationontheroleofzoosandoutofschool
learning.TheWPZsconservationandeducation
programswerealsopresentedatthismeetingbyJamieCreola,VicePresidentofEducation,KathrynOwen,EducationResearchSupervisor,WoodlandParkZoo,andFredKoontz,PhD,VicePresidentofFieldConservation.Acomprehensivereviewofinformationonthetopicwasalsoundertaken.MaterialsreviewedaddressedtheplightofAfricanandAsianelephantsinthewild,conservationandeducationprogramsofzoos,conservationandeducationprogramsofWoodlandParkZoo,andscholarlyresearchpertainingtoinformallearning.AsubgroupoftheTaskForcemetperiodicallybyphonetogatherandreviewinformationfromexpertsinthefield(AppendixD:Interviews&Outreach).
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FINDINGS
Education
TheTaskForcebelievesthatzoosandelephantsplayacriticalroleineducatingvisitorsaboutanimals,conservationandsciencethatisdifficult
toreplicateoutsideofvisitingwildelephantsintheirrangecountries.Becausethisopportunityisnotavailabletothevastmajorityofpeople,visitingelephantsinzoosprovidestheonlyopportunityformostpeopletoseealiveelephant.Zoosprovideauniqueopportunityforthecommunitytogaininformaleducationthatcancontributetoabroadrangeofcognitive,emotionalandpracticaloutcomes.Theseoutcomesarereinforcedwhenzooexperiencesarelinkedtopreviousexperiencesandimmediateandfutureopportunitiestotakeaction.
TaskForcemembersbelievetheWPZselephantexhibitprovidesanimportanteducational
experiencethathasgreatpotentialtofostersupportforelephantconservation.Thechallengeistheinitialbenefitsofvisitingelephantscan
dissipatewithoutintentionalfollowupandimmediateopportunitiestoconnecttheWPZelephantexperiencewithotheractionsthatsupportelephantconservation.TheTaskForcealsobelievesthatthepublicsperceptionofthehealthandconditionoftheelephantsandexhibitisimportantfortheWPZtofulfillitsconservationeducationmission.TheTaskForcebelievesthehigherthequalityofWPZselephantexhibitandprogram,thestrongertheeducationalexperience,andthegreatertheconnectionmadebetweenseeingandlearningabouttheelephantsatWPZandactingtoconserve
elephantsinthewild.
Conservation
AfricanandAsianelephantsareofhighconservationconcern.Thereisaveryrealthreatofextinctioninthewild,especiallyofAsianelephants,ifcurrenttrendsarenotreversed.Someconservationistsbelievethatunlessactionistakennow,virtuallyallwildelephantswillbegonebeforetheendofthecentury.
TheTaskForcebelievesWPZcontributestotheelephantconservationecosystemintwoways.Thefirstisbyeducatingzoovisitorsandpromptinggreaterconcernabouttheplightofelephantsinthewildandincreasingthelikelihoodthatzoovisitorswilltakeactiontosupportelephantconservation.Thesecondisbydirectfinancialandtechnicalsupportofconservationprogramsinelephantrangecountries.TheTaskForcebelievestheprimarypurposeforhavinganelephantprogramandexhibitistoprovideanengagingexperiencethatwillinspire
WPZmembersandgueststolearn,careandactto
helpconserveelephantsandtheirhabitatsinthewild.TheTaskForcebelievesthatconservationeducationandtheopportunityforzoovisitorstotakeactionsthatcontributetoelephantconservationisavitallyimportantfunctionoftheWPZ.
TheTaskForcealsobelievesthattheWPZssupportofelephantconservationthroughdirectinvestmentinconservationeffortsinelephantrangecountriesisimportant,shouldcontinueandshouldbeincreased.AminorityoftheTaskForcebelievesthereisinsufficientevidencetosupporttheclaimthatvisitingWPZelephantscausesvisitorstosupportelephantconservation.TheyalsobelievethatWPZsfinancialcontributiontoconservationeffortsinAsiaandAfricahasnotbeensubstantial
andshouldbeincreased.
IMPLICATIONS TheWPZelephantexhibitprovidesawindowintoaworldthatmostpeoplewillneverexperienceintheirdailylives.Thisexperiencecanbetransformativeandcanbeacatalystforzoovisitorstocaremoredeeplyaboutthestateof
elephantsinthewild,theissuestheyface,andtheneedforconservation.Moreimportantly,theseexperiences,particularlywhenfollowedupwithadditionalinformationandresources,canbeasparkfortakingaction.
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ThechallengetheWPZfacesiswhetherthecurrentelephantexhibitisprovidingthestrongesteducationalexperiencepossibleonethattranslatesintolongtermsupportbyvisitorsforelephantconservation.AkeyissuetheTaskForceaddressediswhetherthecurrentexhibitismovingpeopletoactoraretherestepsthatcould
betakenincreasetheconnectionbetweencognitiveunderstandingandactionbyimprovingtheexhibit.ThemajorityoftheTaskForcebelievessignificantimprovementsandacommitmenttoamultigenerationalherdofferthebestopportunitytoboosttheeducationaloutcomesoftheexhibitandconservationresults.
OPTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
DecisionsregardingtheelephantprogramatWPZaretheprerogativeoftheWPZBoardandstaff.TheTaskForceprovidesthefollowingoptionsandrecommendationsregardingthecareoftheelephantscurrentlyatWPZandthefutureoftheWPZelephantprogramforthezoosconsideration.
LONG-TERM OPTIONS
Option 1: Create a multi-generational herd with an effective breeding program.
Implementexpeditiousstrategiestobuildamultigenerationalherd,includingthenaturalbreedingofChai.InadditiontobreedingChai,considerbringinginadditionalcowsandperhapsabulltocreateamultigenerationalherd.
Begintheexhibitandprograminvestmentsnecessarytosupportgrowingtoamultigenerationalherd,includingimprovingtheexistingexhibittomakeitastateoftheartelephantfacility.TheTaskForcerecognizesthatthecreationofamultigenerationalherdandfacilitywilltakeanumberofyears.
Developworldclasseducationalprogrammingdesignedtoinstillelephantconservationadvocacyandactioninzoovisitors.
AmajorityoftheTaskForcerecommendsthisoption.
Option 2: Improve the existing exhibit but allow current elephants to age out or retire at
the appropriate time.
DonotbreedChaianddonotbringadditionalelephantstoWPZ. Improvetheexhibitandenrichmentprogramfortheexistingelephantherdandallowthemtoageat
theWPZuntiltheypassortheyaremoved. Usethethreeelephantsasrepresentativesofthethreatenedelephantsinthewildwhilesignificantly
enhancingconservationefforts(fieldandpublicpolicy)andsharpeningthefocusoftheeducationprogramandcreatingpathwaystosaveelephantsinthewild.
Whenthethreecurrentelephantsaredeceasedormoved,WPZwoulddiscontinueitselephantprogram.
AminorityoftheTaskForcemembersrecommendthisoption.IMPLICATIONS TheTaskForcerecognizestheWPZoperatesahighqualityprogramandexhibit,withwelltrainedstaff.Nevertheless,bothoptionsidentifiedbytheTaskForcewouldnecessitateimprovementstotheWPZelephantexhibit&program.TheTaskForceisunanimousinitsviewthatmaintainingthestatusquoofthecurrentprogramandexhibitisnotviableforthelongterm
andchangesareneededtoadvancetheWPZsmission.AmajorityoftheTaskForcerecommendsthatWPZworktowardbuildingamultigenerationalherd.TheTaskForcerecognizesthatOptionOnewouldtakeanumberofyearstoplan,fundandimplement.OptionTwoalsoinvolvessignificant
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improvementstotheelephantexhibit,theacreageavailable,andprogram.Impliedbybothalternatives,ifneitherareconsideredviableofifneithercanbesuccessfullyimplemented,isclosureoftheelephantexhibit.NoTaskForce
memberprefersthisastheirfirstoption.However,ifneitheroptionisimplemented,theTaskForcebelievesthataclosureplanshouldbeseriouslyconsideredbytheWPZBoard.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONSTheTaskForcehasdevelopedthefollowingadditionalrecommendationsforWPZBoardconsideration.Theyaregroupedintothreecategories:managementandcare,educationalopportunitiesandconservationenrichments.
MANAGEMENT AND CARE
Ifitcanbedonesafely,reintegrateBambooandWatototoreduceisolationandimprovethesocialwelfareoftheherd.o Ifreintegrationcannotbedonesafely,WPZ
shouldconsidertransferringoneelephanttoanotherAZAaccreditedfacilitythatwillprovideahealthyandhighqualityenvironment.
o AminorityofthetaskforcebelievestheZooshouldconsidertransferringoneormoreelephantstoanelephantsanctuarywithoutthepresenceofactivetuberculosis(TB),whichmayormaynotbeAZAaccredited,aspartoftheirdeliberations.
o LeavingWPZwithonlyoneortwoelephantsforalongperiodoftimeshouldbeavoided,asitwouldworkagainstthebroadersocialwelfaregoal.
Improvetheelephantfacilitiestoenhancethehealthandsocialwellbeingoftheelephants,including:o Diminishingchokepointsandproviding
morethanoneentrance/exitinthebarn.o Addingsupplementalwind/rainsheltersand
outdoorheatinginordertoallowtheelephantsmoreflexibilitytochoosewhere,howandwithwhomtospendtheirtime.
o Improvingsubstratediversityinbarnandyard.
o Expandingactivitiesandenrichmentpracticestoimprovebehavioralhealthandsupportcontinuedgoodmedicalhealth.
o Increasingthesizeandcomplexityoftheyardtoprovideadditionalbehavioralandphysicaldiversityfortheelephantsaswellastoimprovetheperceptionofvisitors.
o Upgradingcamerasinthebarntoallow24hourmonitoringanddatacollectionoftheelephants.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Designelephantexhibitlearningexperiencesthatbuildupontheideasandexperiencesofzoovisitors,connectvisitorstorelevantlearning
resourceswithinandbeyondWPZandprovideimmediateandeasyopportunitiestoacttoeffectuateelephantconservationandconservationgenerally.
Expandeducationalprogramsrelatedtoelephantstocreatestrongerawarenessoftheplightofelephantsinthewild.
Strengthenanddeepeneducationprogrampartnersincludinghighereducationandnonprofitpartnerswithrelevantexpertiseininformaleducation.
PartnerwithrepresentativesfromcommunitieswhounderutilizetheWPZsresourceswiththe
goalofdevelopingprogramsthatareaccessibletoandofinteresttothesecommunities.
CONSERVATION ENRICHMENTS
Strengthenconservationprogram,byincreasingfocusandresourcesdevotedtoimprovingfederalandglobalpoliciesthatwillenhanceelephantconservationpracticesinAfricanandAsiancountries.
SignificantlyincreasetheWPZscontributiontoinsituconservationprograms,particularlyinAsia.
Consistentwiththeeducationrecommendationssetforthabove,linkWPZeducationalprogramsandzoovisitsgenerallywithimmediateconservationactionopportunities,i.e.,makeiteasyforzoovisitorstotakeimmediateactiontocontributetotheconservationofelephants.
WorkwiththeAZA,andelephantexpertsfromotherzoos,tomoreeffectivelyconnecttheWPZselephantprogramtonationaleffortstoprotectelephantsinthewild.
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MINORITY VIEWSTheTaskForcecametomanyareasofagreementoverthecourseoftheirwork.However,thereweresomekeyfindingsandrecommendationswhereconsensuswasnotachieved.ThissectioncontainstheopinionsofaminorityofmembersoftheWPZElephantTaskForceandexplainsareaswheretheydisagreewiththemajorityoftheTaskForce.
ACTIVITY LEVEL OF ELEPHANTS Watoto,ChaiandBamboocannotbeactive
withintheconfinesoftheexistingexhibit,wheretheoutdoorareaisapproximatelyoneacre,andeachelephanthasaccesstoonlyapartofthatacre.
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORALWELLBEING OF ELEPHANTS IfChai,WatotoandBamboocannotbesafely
reintegrated,WPZshouldconsidertransferringoneormoreoftheelephantstoanelephantsanctuarywithnocurrentorrecenthistoryofactiveTB.
ThereisinsufficientevidencethatcreatingamultigenerationalherdwouldcuretherepetitivebehaviorsofChai,WatotoorBamboo.Africanelephantsinthewilddoliveinmatriarchalherds,butitisunreasonabletothinknaturalconditionscanberecreatedinazooenvironment.
Havingalargerspaceandanimprovedenrichmentprogrammightaddressrepetitivebehaviorsmoreeffectivelythancreatinga
multigenerationalherd. IfimprovementstotheWPZelephant
programandexhibitcannotbedoneexpeditiouslyforthebenefitofWatoto,ChaiandBamboo,WPZshouldconsidertransferringtheelephantstoanelephantsanctuarywithoutthepresenceofactiveTB.
ELEPHANT EXHIBITS ANDCONSERVATION Thereisinsufficientevidencetosupportthe
majoritysfindingthattheWPZelephantexhibitcontributesinanysignificantwaytochangingattitudesorbehaviors,andtoengagingthepublicinelephantconservationprograms.
Studiesmayhaveshownsomeattitudechangestowardsanimalsastheresultofvisitingzoosandaquariums,butthereisnocompellingevidenceofincreasedconservationactions.
o Theminoritynotesthattherearefewscientificstudiesdealingwithhowzooschangeconservationattitudesandbehaviorsofvisitors.AstudyfundedbytheAZA(Falk,2007),analyzedattitudes,notbehaviors,andfoundthatzoovisitsresultedinlongtermpositiveeffectsonvisitorsattitudestowardother(nonhuman)animals.AstudyconductedbyscientistsfromEmoryUniversityandotherinstitutionsconcludedthattheAZAstudywasflawedandthatthereforethereisnocompellingorevensuggestiveevidencefortheclaimthatzoosandaquariumspromoteattitudechange,educationandinterestinconservationinvisitors.
o Anotherstudy(ACloserExaminationoftheImpactofZooVisitsonVisitorBehavior,Smithetal,2007)focusedonchangesinbehavior.Itconcludedthat,althoughvisitorssaidthattheywouldengageinmoreconservationactivities,nosignificantbehavioralchangesoccurredasaresultofzoovisits.
o TherearenootherstudiesthatwerebroughttotheattentionoftheTaskForceandtherefore,theminoritybelievesthereisinsufficientevidencetosupportthemajoritysclaimsthatvisitstozoosresultinchangesinvisitorsconservationattitudesorbehaviors.
WPZsfinancialcontributiontoelephantconservationeffortsinAsiaandAfricahasnotbeensubstantial.Between1998and2012,ittotaled$267,805.Thereshouldbeanincreaseinconservationfundinginrangecountries.
BREEDING PROGRAM WPZshouldnothaveabreedingprogram.
ElephantsbelonginthewildinAsiaandAfrica.Theelephantsthatarecurrentlyinzoos,includingChai,BambooandWatoto,cannotbereturnedtothewildbutintentionallyincreasingthecaptiveelephantpopulationthroughbreedingshouldbeavoided.
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Thecaptiveelephantpopulationinzoosshouldnotbeincreased,particularlyinlightoftheclaimthatthemainpurposeofthezooexhibitistofosterconservationattitudesandbehavior,andtheabsenceofsignificantevidencethatthisisachieved.Thereareother
waystoeducate,engageandmotivateconservationbehaviorthatdonotrequirebreedingmorecaptiveelephants.Theseincludesophisticateduseofvideo,livewebcams,andeducationaltechniquesusedinotherfields.
NEXT STEPSTheTaskForcehascompleteditsdatadriven,objectivereviewofthezooselephantprogram,exhibitandcurrentelephantwelfareandproducedthisreportfortheWPZBoardsconsideration.MaterialswillalsobeavailableontheTaskForcewebsite(elephanttaskforce.org)foroneyear.TheTaskForceisdeeplyinterestedintheWPZelephantprogramandrespectfullyrequestsanupdatefromtheWPZBoardwithinayearonitsactionsandplansregardingtheWPZelephantprogram.
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