Is This Freedom? Aging Elephants Relocated, Not Released

Two elephants, Billy and Tina, from the Los Angeles Zoo have been relocated to Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma following months of opposition from animal rights activists who wanted the animals sent to a wildlife sanctuary.

Billy arrived at the L.A. Zoo as a calf back in 1989, and Tina became part of the zoo’s elephant family in 2004. Over time, both elephants played key roles in the zoo’s Asian elephant exhibit, engaging in enrichment programs and helping educate visitors.

Elephants are highly social and intelligent creatures, and captivity, especially for aging individuals, can have significant psychological impacts. Elephants in zoos sometimes exhibit repetitive behaviors such as swaying and pacing, which are indicators of stress and boredom not commonly seen in wild populations. These “stereotypic” behaviors, coupled with limited space and altered social structures, can deteriorate their mental and physical health.

Additionally, older elephants may suffer from conditions such as arthritis and obesity due to restricted movement in captive environments. These challenges are important considerations in decisions about their care and living conditions.

The relocation became necessary after the L.A. facility lost two elephants in recent years. Jewel died in 2023 at age 61, followed by Shaunzi in 2024 at age 53. Their deaths left the zoo with only two Asian elephants, falling short of the three-animal minimum established by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums guidelines.

Billy and Tina arrived at Tulsa Zoo after an overnight cross-country trip in climate-controlled containers. Estimates of the transport time varied, ranging from 22 to 26 hours.

L.A. Zoo officials said they examined multiple placement options, including wildlife sanctuaries that activists had promoted. Mayor Karen Bass also inquired about sanctuary placement, but zoo administrators followed recommendations from the AZA and its Elephant Species Survival Plan.

Tulsa was chosen for its expansive facilities, including 17 acres of elephant habitat and a barn exceeding 36,000 square feet. The Oklahoma Zoo already houses five Asian elephants, allowing Billy and Tina to integrate with an established herd.

The decision drew sharp criticism from City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who has advocated for the elephants’ welfare.

“Angelenos are deeply invested in their well-being, and the public deserved a transparent process considering all options before a decision was made,” Blumenfield said. He questioned whether officials thoroughly evaluated all alternatives.

Legal challenges accompanied the controversy. Resident John Kelly filed a lawsuit in May seeking to block the transfer, but a judge rejected his request for emergency intervention last week. The Nonhuman Rights Project filed additional legal papers demanding recognition of the elephants’ liberty rights and sanctuary placement.

Advocates argue that moving elephants to sanctuaries better respects their complex social needs and psychological well-being. However, zoo officials contend that transferring the elephants to a facility with an established herd and accredited care provides a balance of welfare and sustainability.

“We still have viable legal options to secure Billy and Tina’s freedom in an elephant sanctuary, and we are not stopping,” said Elizabeth Stein, Nonhuman Rights Project’s litigation director.

The $44,000 transfer cost was shared between the zoos. Billy and Tina will undergo quarantine before joining the herd.

L.A. Zoo officials plan to suspend their elephant program while redesigning the former elephant area for different animals.

Also Read: Will Billy and Tina find freedom? Activists challenge zoo move