Local activists urge Oregon Zoo to transfer newborn elephant, mother to sanctuary
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — While some are visiting the Oregon Zoo in droves to get a glimpse of new baby elephant Tula-Tu, others showed up advocating for her freedom.
Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants (FOZE), a local activist group formed in 2008, recently launched a campaign to transfer the newborn elephant and her mother Rose-Tu from the zoo to an established sanctuary they claim 'has offered its space.'
Tula-Tu is Rose-Tu's third baby. Her firstborn, 16-year-old Samudra, also lives at the zoo. Her second calf, Lily, passed away from a virus in 2018, just before she turned 6 years old.
Mercy Corps warns of 'devastating consequences' after Trump cuts 41 programs
The zoo's vet said there's now a special lab at Oregon State University that's developing an experimental vaccine to help them treat elephant disease.
But the group said Lily's death – followed by the euthanizing of pack members Tusko, Rama and Packy soon after – brings them concern about the zoo breeding too quickly 'under the guise of conservation,' when they claim the elephants are dying of preventable diseases.
FOZE members stood outside the zoo's entrance Saturday morning, holding up signs saying 'Elephants suffer in zoos' and 'Free the Oregon Zoo elephants.'
'They have a new baby here and everyone's very excited about her and I can understand – she's adorable,' said FOZE member Courtney Scott. 'But she's going to grow up and be an elephant and suffer and die just like all the other elephants, like Packy did.'
'Hard decisions': Portland city administrator unveils proposed budget amid $93 million shortfall
She continued, 'We're encouraging this zoo, like 38 zoos have already done, to close their elephant exhibit.'
FOZE said they have also submitted a formal petition to the Metro Council.
Asian elephants reside in India and Borneo, but they're highly endangered. There are only about 40,000-50,000 still in existence and much of their habitat overlaps with some of the most human populated regions on earth.
KOIN 6 News has reached out to the Oregon Zoo for comment but has not responded at this time.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
French Senate approves bill to regulate ultra fast-fashion
The French Senate has overwhelmingly approved legislation aimed at regulating the ultra fast-fashion industry. The bill specifically targets Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu while imposing stricter environmental standards on the rapidly growing sector. The Senate on Tuesday passed the bill with 337 votes in favour and only one against. The legislation, which was voted unanimously by France's lower house in March 2024, still has to be approved by a joint commission in the autumn. The French Minister for ecological transition, Agnes Pannier-Runacher,, called it "a major step in the fight against the economic and environmental impact of fast fashion". The bill introduces an "eco-score" system that will impose penalties on companies with poor environmental performance. Those receiving the lowest scores face taxes of up to five euros per product in 2025, rising to 10 euros by 2030, with a cap of 50 percent of the product's original price. Additionally, the legislation would ban fast fashion advertising and impose sanctions on influencers who promote such products. Companies will be required to inform customers about the environmental impact of their purchases. It will also introduce a special tax on packages imported from outside the EU and ban free returns. The Senate's version distinguishes between "ultra" fast fashion and traditional fast fashion, effectively targeting Asian platforms while providing for European brands like Zara, H&M, and Kiabi to be treated more leniently. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:French legislation to rein in fast fashion faces crucial test in SenateDenim returns to its roots in southern French town of NimesTraders reeling as fire destroys Ghana's largest clothes market
CNBC
7 hours ago
- CNBC
Japan is willing to do 'a lot of things' to get a deal with the US: Japan Society CEO
Joshua Walker, President and CEO of the Japan Society, talks about Japan's experience in wrapping economic issues with national security, as he discusses the race among Asian nations to clinch a trade deal with the U.S.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
U.S., China reach deal to revive trade truce
June 11 (UPI) -- The United States and China have agreed to a framework that would revive last month's trade truce following two days of talks in London, negotiators announced Wednesday. The framework and agreement, struck last month in Geneva, must be approved by U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping before it can take effect. "The two largest economies in the world have reached a handshake for a framework," U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters. "We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents." "The idea is we're going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. They're going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework," Lutnick said. China's vice commerce minister told reporters the same information. "The two sides have, in principle, reached a framework for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the phone call on June 5th and the consensus reached at the Geneva meeting," China's vice commerce minister Li Chenggang said Wednesday. While specifics of the deal were not revealed, Lutnick said both sides have agreed to roll back controls on exports that are vital to each country. Lutnick expressed optimism that that would include China's exports of rare earth minerals and magnets to the United States. "There were a number of measures the United States put on when those rare earths were not coming," Lutnick added. "You should expect those to come off, sort of as President Trump said, 'in a balanced way.'" After their phone call last week cooled tensions amid the escalating trade dispute, Trump said Xi had agreed to restart exports of rare earth minerals and magnets, which are critical to American manufacturing. Last month, the United States and China announced a 90-day pause on most of their tariffs. Under the agreement, the United States reduced its tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, while China reduced its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. The agreement was reached during trade negotiations in Geneva, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer met with their Chinese counterparts, including Vice Premier He Lifeng. Asian stocks were mostly up after Wednesday's announcement, as Mainland China's CSI 300 index advanced 0.77% higher. U.S. stock futures were initially flat as investors waited for more information on the trade talks. Bessent announced he would depart the negotiations, which could continue through Wednesday, if needed. Lutnick and Greer planned to remain in London.
