Latest news with #SocialCompassioninLegislation
Los Angeles Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Elephants Billy and Tina are not the first giant mammals trucked out of L.A. overnight. Meet Orky and Corky
The middle-aged couple was nowhere to be found. Billy, 40, wasn't hanging out by the waterfall. Tina, 59, wasn't in the barn. On Tuesday morning, animal rights activists — who, for years, have fought for the two aging Asian elephants to be removed from the Los Angeles Zoo — were stunned to find the pachyderms' enclosure empty. 'We don't know where the elephants are!' the animal rights advocacy Social Compassion in Legislation wrote on Instagram. The L.A. Zoo, which is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, said Wednesday that the elephants were loaded into separate ventilated shipping containers for a 22-hour ride to a zoo in Tulsa, Okla. 'Transports like these,' the L.A. Zoo wrote on a website detailing the move, 'occur at night taking into consideration optimal temperatures, traffic conditions, and the safety of people in the zoo during loading.' The transfer to the Tulsa Zoo — announced last month — prompted weeks of protest from activists who wanted Billy and Tina to be taken to a sanctuary, not another zoo. Even Cher got involved. 'Billy and Tina have served their time in confinement,' Cher wrote in support of a lawsuit filed this month against the L.A. Zoo's director. 'They deserve the chance to live out their lives in peace and dignity.' Tuesday, the day the elephants were moved, was Cher's 79th birthday. The secretive truck ride took place despite a motion by L.A. City Councilman Bob Blumenfield, who requested the move be paused until the zoo gave a report detailing options for moving Billy and Tina to a sanctuary. In a statement to The Times on Wednesday afternoon, Blumenfield said he was 'disappointed and frustrated' by the move and the lack of transparency surrounding it, calling the ordeal a 'sad reflection on the government of Los Angeles.' For years, advocates expressed anguish over Billy's repetitive head bobbing. L.A. Zoo officials called it a harmless habit. But various animal experts, including veterinarians, said it was a sign of stress, trauma and boredom. Over the last two years, the zoo — citing age-related health problems — has euthanized two female Asian elephants: Jewel, who died at age 61 in 2023, and Shaunzi, who died last year at 53. That left just Billy and Tina, who lived in a 6.5-acre habitat. To be in good standing with the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums — an accrediting body whose board is led by Denise Verret, chief executive of the L.A. Zoo — facilities must maintain herds of at least three elephants because they are social creatures. At the Tulsa Zoo, Billy and Tina will be joined in a 17-acre enclosure by five other Asian elephants. In 1987, Marineland of the Pacific, a theme park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, trucked two killer whales, Corky and Orky, to SeaWorld in San Diego in the middle of the night under police escort. Orky, who weighed 14,000 pounds, was put onto a special stretcher. Corky, who had shared a tank with him for nearly 18 years, tried and failed to throw her 8,000-pound body onto the stretcher with him. 'As the crane lifted her mate hundreds of feet in the air, above the bleachers and into a tank aboard a flatbed truck,' The Times reported then, 'the sounds of her desperation filled the hollow tank.' The theme park closed a few weeks later. Orky died the next year. Corky, now 60, remains at SeaWorld. Joanie says, 'San Francisco, followed by Anaheim.'Lynne says, 'Cayucos! Cool beach town in Central California!' Email us at essentialcalifornia@ and your response might appear in the newsletter this week. Today's great photo was taken by staff photographer Christina House of the Descanso Gardens. Hailey Branson-Potts, staff reporterKevinisha Walker, multiplatform editorAndrew Campa, Sunday writerKarim Doumar, head of newsletters How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@ Check our top stories, topics and the latest articles on
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Where are Billy and Tina? L.A. Zoo's elephant enclosure appears empty amid relocation saga
The elephant enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo appeared to be empty Tuesday, prompting concerns from activists wondering whether Billy and Tina, the aging inhabitants, were transferred to another zoo. The L.A. Zoo announced its decision to move elephants Billy, 40, and Tina, 59, to the Tulsa Zoo last month, frustrating animal rights advocates who have argued they should be retired in a sanctuary. The possible relocation of the animals is the latest in decades of controversy surrounding the L.A. Zoo's elephant program, which experts and activists have long criticized because of its small enclosure size and history of deaths and health challenges among its inhabitants. The political advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation shared photos of the empty enclosure on Instagram on Tuesday, writing in the caption that they "don't know where the elephants are." Representatives from the L.A. Zoo, the Tulsa Zoo and Mayor Karen Bass' office did not respond to The Times' requests for comment Tuesday. It is not clear whether Billy and Tina are in the process of being transferred. L.A. City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, a longtime advocate for the elephants, said in a phone interview with The Times on Tuesday that he does not know the status of the relocation, but that the situation was "disappointing and frustrating." Blumenfield filed a City Council motion last month seeking to pause the animals' relocation until council members could review the possibility of sending them to a sanctuary. Blumenfield said if the elephants were being transferred despite his motion and a pending lawsuit regarding the relocation, "that speaks volumes that it's obviously not the right thing." "If it's the right thing, you should be proud of it and be willing to defend it and bring it forward for public vetting and do it at a scheduled time and not be cagey about it," Blumenfield said. L.A. Zoo Director and Chief Executive Denise Verret said during recent budget hearings that the decision to move the elephants was made in the best interest of the animals and in accordance with a recommendation from the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums, of which Verret is the chair. During a hearing May 8, Verret told Blumenfield that the L.A. and Tulsa zoos had not yet signed a contract and no date had been set for the animals' move. "It does seem like a very quick turnaround, if that, in fact, is what's happening," Blumenfield said. "And it does make you wonder if folks are trying to get this done quickly to avoid further scrutiny." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
21-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Where are Billy and Tina? L.A. Zoo's elephant enclosure appears empty amid relocation saga
The elephant enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo appeared to be empty Tuesday, prompting concerns from activists wondering whether Billy and Tina, the aging inhabitants, were transferred to another zoo. The L.A. Zoo announced its decision to move elephants Billy, 40, and Tina, 59, to the Tulsa Zoo last month, frustrating animal rights advocates who have argued they should be retired in a sanctuary. The possible relocation of the animals is the latest in decades of controversy surrounding the L.A. Zoo's elephant program, which experts and activists have long criticized because of its small enclosure size and history of deaths and health challenges among its inhabitants. The political advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation shared photos of the empty enclosure on Instagram on Tuesday, writing in the caption that they 'don't know where the elephants are.' Representatives from the L.A. Zoo, the Tulsa Zoo and Mayor Karen Bass' office did not respond to The Times' requests for comment Tuesday. It is not clear whether Billy and Tina are in the process of being transferred. L.A. City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, a longtime advocate for the elephants, said in a phone interview with The Times on Tuesday that he does not know the status of the relocation, but that the situation was 'disappointing and frustrating.' Blumenfield filed a City Council motion last month seeking to pause the animals' relocation until council members could review the possibility of sending them to a sanctuary. Blumenfield said if the elephants were being transferred despite his motion and a pending lawsuit regarding the relocation, 'that speaks volumes that it's obviously not the right thing.' 'If it's the right thing, you should be proud of it and be willing to defend it and bring it forward for public vetting and do it at a scheduled time and not be cagey about it,' Blumenfield said. L.A. Zoo Director and Chief Executive Denise Verret said during recent budget hearings that the decision to move the elephants was made in the best interest of the animals and in accordance with a recommendation from the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums, of which Verret is the chair. During a hearing May 8, Verret told Blumenfield that the L.A. and Tulsa zoos had not yet signed a contract and no date had been set for the animals' move. 'It does seem like a very quick turnaround, if that, in fact, is what's happening,' Blumenfield said. 'And it does make you wonder if folks are trying to get this done quickly to avoid further scrutiny.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man's reunion with dog after LA fires inspires pet protection bill
(NewsNation) — A California lawmaker is introducing a bill aimed at helping save pets left behind during natural disasters. The bill is inspired by the reunion of Casey Colvin and his dog, Oreo, who was found alive in the rubble of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. Last month, California Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur announced AB 478, also known as the FOUND Act (Friends of Oreo Uniting During Disasters). 40-year-old blind cockatoo has sight restored at NC State If approved, the bill would require local governments to update emergency pet rescue procedures, provide online resources for pet eviction and reunification, and hold rescued pets for at least 90 days before adoption or euthanasia. The act aims to ensure pet owners have procedures and resources available to reunite with their pets during disasters. Additionally, it seeks to prevent pet owners from endangering themselves by attempting unauthorized rescues. 'Pets are more than just property — they are family. When disaster strikes, no one should have to choose between their safety and their pet's survival,' Zbur said in a statement. The inspiration for the act comes in part from Colvin and his beloved Pomeranian, who were separated after Oreo went missing during fires that ravaged their Los Angeles neighborhood. But, after five days, the pair were reunited. RI man makes 'stuffies' for those in need Colvin told 'NewsNation Live' Monday that once the bill is passed in California, it's important to implement bills like this nationwide as so many states are getting hit by natural disasters. 'If you're in a situation where you can't get to your animals, hopefully this legislation will help you get to where you need to go to take care of your animals,' he said. 'Also, if your animals escape during a disaster, they'll help you reunite with them afterwards.' The bill is sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PETA slams Mayor Bass, city for 'disastrous failure' to animals after Palisades Fire
The Brief PETA is calling out Mayor Karen Bass and city officials for their "disastrous failure to save animals after the Palisades Fire." In a new video, PETA claims the city wouldn't allow a PETA team into the fire zone to rescue animals. Bass' office says the city, with help from the ASPCA and other organizations, has rescued more than 1,000 animals. LOS ANGELES - A new video from PETA calls out Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other city officials for what they called their "disastrous failure to save animals after the Palisades Fire." The organization claims the city turned away one of their teams offering to rescue animals, but the city says Los Angeles Animal Services and other organizations have rescued more than 1,100 animals from the Palisades Fire burn area. What they're saying PETA criticized what it called a lack of preparedness for the fire, and a slow response to helping animals left behind in the wake of the Palisades Fire. They claim that pets were left out in the rubble for weeks before the city did anything about it. "Many animal companions who survived the fires wandered the rubble for weeks, terrified, hungry, and alone, while L.A. Animal Services ignored their families' desperate pleas for help saving them," said PETA Director of Outreach Ashley Byrne. SUGGESTED: Trump tariffs could raise price of rebuilding for Eaton, Palisades fire victims The organization also claimed that the city turned them away when they offered to send a team into the burn zone to rescue animals. "We had a FEMA-certified disaster response team ready to go in and save animals," said Simone Reyes, Vice President of Social Compassion in Legislation, which worked with PETA. The other side Bass' office responded to PETA's claims on Thursday. In a statement to FOX 11, the office said that Los Angeles Animal Service worked with several other organizations including Social Compassion in Legislation, which was included in PETA's video, to rescue more than 1,000 animals in the area. "More than 1,000 animals have been reunited with their owners and work continues to reunify the remaining animals, or to find them new homes," the statement said, in part. What's next Now, PETA is demanding the city come up with a emergency plan specifically to help animals before another disaster. The Source Information in this story is from a press release and PSA from PETA and a statement from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' office to FOX 11.
