Even minimum enclosure size recommendations for zoo elephants by respected institutions are still 60 to 100 times smaller than the smallest wild territories. Yet, Sumit, the elephant at the Prince of Wales Zoo in Lucknow, is not even afforded this much space. The Prince of Wales Zoo keeps Sumit in chains.
Moreover, in a letter, PETA had advised concerned authorities that, "male and female elephants do not naturally live together. Females live in matriarchal herds and males live alone. Therefore, to house a male and female elephant together will cause unnecessary stress and possibly result in physical harm to one or both of these animals. Secondly, if the zoo cannot care for the male elephant presently in its care, it would be irresponsible to breed an elephant knowing that there is a 50% chance another male could be born. The more ethical choice would be to cancel plans to acquire a second elephant and to give the elephant currently in the zoo’s care the best possible environment with lots of space, a submergible pool, adequate shade and a management technique that is humane."
Despite this, the Prince of Wales Zoo went forward with its plans and introduced a female elephant to Sumit’s enclosure. This was the last straw for Sumit. He turned violent, broke his chain and in the uncontrolled fury fell into the moat surrounding his enclosure.
You can help! Write to the following authorities and ask them to consult with PETA about training their handlers in a humane technique to handle elephants called Protected Contact. Please also ask them to take steps toward unchaining Sumit, to release the female elephant to a sanctuary where she will be free and allowed to live with other females, and to do away with the moat altogether or at least build a fence to prevent Sumit from falling in again. For a sample letter, just click here.
Mr. Eva Sharma, Director
Prince of Wales Zoological Gardens
Hazratganj, Naraee
Lucknow 226 001
Thakur Jai Beer Singh
Minister of Forests & Environment
Room No. 601 & 602, F - Block
Bapu Bhavan, 6th Floor
Lucknow 226 006
Mr. Ravindra Singh
Commissioner Lucknow Division
Near Central Drug Research Institute
Mahatma Gandhi Marg
Lucknow 226 001
