SAN ANTONIO -- An animal rights group fears tragedy may be on the horizon at the San Antonio Zoo.
In Defense of Animals (IDA) filed a complaint in California against the San Antonio Zoo saying aggressive behavior between the two elephants, Lucky and Boo, will most result in 'dire consequences'.
The group says Dr. Joyce Poole, one of the world's leading elephant scientists who has studied elephant behavior in Africa and Asia for over 30 years, reviewed a videotape captured over a two-day period. Poole determined that Boo exhibited aggressive behavior toward Lucky.
San Antonio Zoo officials brought in Boo to become Lucky's companion last April. Boo was acquired from a circus handler who was facing charges for violations of the Animal Welfare Act. But, according to IDA, it was a bad idea.
They say the behavior is not the elephants' faults, but that of the zoo. IDA says their enclosure is just too closed in for elephants weighing more than four tons each.
“Lucky is being terrorized by Boo,” observed Dr. Poole. “This kind of persistent bullying is not seen in the wild, because elephants have other activities with which to occupy themselves, and because they can remove themselves from conflict. In my opinion, the primary cause of this undesirable situation is that the elephants have too little space.”
The result could lead to tragedy warns IDA.
The group filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday. They hope the zoo will take immediate action to remove the elephants from their containment and place them in a natural-habitat sanctuary where they say the two will have more space to move about and choose their own companions.
