Thanks to In Defense of Animals (IDA) and their members, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) confiscated the elephants Tina and Jewel on August 20 from their abusive circus handler, Will Davenport.
It appears that Tina and Jewel have been taken to the San Diego Zoo. While IDA would have liked these elephants to go directly to a sanctuary, Jewel is very ill and in need of intensive medical care.
IDA commends the San Diego Zoo for helping Tina and Jewel and providing the essential veterinary care they need. These two closely-bonded elephants will remain together in San Diego, where they will never again have to face fear and punishment or be trucked across the country and forced to perform. IDA will continue to watch closely for word of progress in these elephants’ recovery.
Note: IDA is still working for the release of Queenie, also known as Boo.
In Defense of Animals, located in San Rafael, Calif., is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA’s efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi, Mumbai, India, and Cameroon, Africa.