FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program

7/27/2019 FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program

1/24

TASK FORCE ON THE WOODLAND PARK ZOO ELEPHANT EXHIBIT & PROGRAM

0


2/24


1

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


3/24


2

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


4/24


3

This page is intentionally blank.


5/24


4

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.


6/24


5

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


7/24


6

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.


8/24


7

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.


9/24


8

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.


10/24


9

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.


11/24


10

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.


12/24


11

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.


13/24


12

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).


14/24


13

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.


15/24


14

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.


16/24


15

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.


17/24


16

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.


18/24


17

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).


19/24


18

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.


20/24


19

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


21/24


20

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.


22/24


21

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.


23/24


22

Thecaptiveelephantpopulationinzoosshouldnotbeincreased,particularlyinlightoftheclaimthatthemainpurposeofthezooexhibitistofosterconservationattitudesandbehavior,andtheabsenceofsignificantevidencethatthisisachieved.Thereareother

waystoeducate,engageandmotivateconservationbehaviorthatdonotrequirebreedingmorecaptiveelephants.Theseincludesophisticateduseofvideo,livewebcams,andeducationaltechniquesusedinotherfields.

NEXT STEPSTheTaskForcehascompleteditsdatadriven,objectivereviewofthezooselephantprogram,exhibitandcurrentelephantwelfareandproducedthisreportfortheWPZBoardsconsideration.MaterialswillalsobeavailableontheTaskForcewebsite(elephanttaskforce.org)foroneyear.TheTaskForceisdeeplyinterestedintheWPZelephantprogramandrespectfullyrequestsanupdatefromtheWPZBoardwithinayearonitsactionsandplansregardingtheWPZelephantprogram.


24/24


FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program

Documents

Transcript of FULL FINAL REPORT -Task Force on WPZ Elephant Exhibit and Program