A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant has declined a request for a temporary restraining order that would have halted the zoo’s plan to transfer elephants Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo. The judge suggested that the issue should be handled through the City Council instead of in the courts.
The decision was met with disappointment from activists who want to see Billy and Tina transferred to an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, not the Tulsa Zoo. They argue that the zoo’s relocation plan is “cruel” and are urging Los Angeles residents to contact their city council representatives and Mayor Karen Bass’s office to express their concerns.
The LA Zoo claims that the transfer will provide more space for the elephants and allow them to be with other elephants. The zoo also asserts that its decision is driven by a commitment to animal welfare, citing the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ recommendations.
However, advocates argue that this is not sufficient and that the city should prioritize protecting wildlife. An attorney representing the activists stated that the lawsuit will continue, and residents are encouraged to contact the mayor’s office to express their opposition to the transfer.
The L.A. Zoo has not specified when the transfer of Billy and Tina is scheduled to take place.
Source: https://abc7.com/post/judge-denies-emergency-request-stop-transfer-la-zoo-elephants-billy-tina-tulsa/16427884