Sample Letter

Dear [NAME OF CONCERNED OFFICIAL]:

I am deeply saddened by the plight of Sumit, the elephant housed at the Prince of Wales Zoo. 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 is not even afforded this much space as he is kept in chains.

Moreover, despite having been warned by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that housing a male and female elephant together will cause unnecessary stress and possibly result in physical harm to one or both of these animals, a female was introduced resulting in Sumit’s breaking free of his chains and falling in the moat in an uncontrolled fury.

I beseech you 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. I also ask that you consult with PETA about training the elephant handlers in a humane technique designed to protect both elephants and their keepers called Protected Contact.

You may contact PETA at P.O. Box 28260, Juhu, Mumbai 400 049.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,



[YOUR NAME]