LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz is urging the LA Zoo to free Billy the Elephant.
Despite popular belief, LA City Hall isn’t all about controversy and politics. Sometimes it’s about doing the right thing.
This Saturday, starting at 10:00 AM PT, LA City Councilmember Paul Koretz will join animal rights advocates in protest against the Los Angeles Zoo, who has kept Billy the elephant alone in captivity for over 28 years, in an effort to #FreeBilly. Koretz is the author of a motion to release Billy to a sanctuary, which is currently before the Los Angeles City Council.
LA Zoo’s Hard Ground has Billy The Elephant Cracking Up.
The protest comes following a lawsuit filed by Aaron Leider against the LA Zoo Director and City of Los Angeles claiming that the elephant exhibit’s hard ground gave Billy cracked toes and sore joints, and that Billy walks in circles and bobs his head for hours in his enclosure, a common stress signal shown by elephants. Elephants are some of the most intelligent animals in the world so it’s likely Billy understands exactly what’s going on… and he’s pissed.
Last year, Karen Eisenlord, a Los Angeles resident of 61 years, started a Care2 petition calling for Billy’s release. The petition has garnered over 510,000 signatures.
Care2 is a network of nearly 50 million people around the globe, dedicated to making world-changing impact.
“Care2 members have been working tirelessly to keep the pressure up on the LA Zoo and City Council to end Billy’s suffering,” said Care2’s Senior Director of Engagement Rebecca Gerber. “As a society we must move toward a reality where exceptionally intelligent animals like elephants are not needlessly confined for entertainment.”
Last year, Care2 commissioned light projections that could be viewed on the LA Zoo during “LA Zoo Lights,” an annual nighttime holiday light experience that draws thousands of visitors. The projection served to alert zoo attendees to the plight of Billy. Join the protest, Saturday, December 1, 10:00 AM – 12:00pm at the Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027.
SEE THE CARE2 PETITION HERE: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/900/414/840/
