Los Angeles has a brewing kettle of intrigue about to reach boiling point at the LA ZOO.
It is not so much about Ruby, Gita and Billy the two female and one male elephant, as it is about who gets to pay for the 30-60 million dollar exhibit, as well as the other exhibits which will have to be relocated.
It is also about the 11th hour move to include the Zoo in LA County Prop A(1996) funding ($29.2 million) for funds which were initially ear marked by the voters for parks, open space and beaches. How are the beaches and parks and open space in lets say Malibu?
It is not about the fact that the Zoo is fearful of being out of compliance with AZA Standards (American Zoo and Aquarium Association) as they are already out of compliance. AZA requires the Zoo maintain a herd of three female elephants and a bull. After the death of Tara in December 2004, they fall short.
It is not just the $13.9 million in MICLA (Municipal Improvement Corporation of Los Angeles) needed to enlarge the exhibit. It could be the fact that MICLA debt is paid for out of the General Fund. The payment schedule is $1.12 million in annual debt service payments for 20 years. Lets see $1.12 million times 20 = $22.4 million from a General Fund which can not find funding for shelter for homeless women and children!
This does not factor in the cost of “removal and relocation of the four bird displays, exhibits for a tapir, a wolf and a pacarana, not to mention the REPTILE HOUSE” !
The exhibit, no matter what size is decided upon is an ASIAN FOREST! “Elephants of Surin”. There are no African elephants in the ASIAN FOREST. Which means RUBY will have to be moved to another location anyway. Then we will have to purchase two more females to comply with AZA.
At present we are spending $341,670.00 on the normal maintaining of the three elephants. In spite of the Zoo Directors statement that Gita is recovering very well from her condition, we are spending $96,000.00 annually on her treatments for her chronic condition.
As the Mayor has begun to speak about possible cut backs in funding, employees and services due to a budget crisis, it is time to face the financial truth, that the future for the LA Zoo Elephants is Sanctuary.
Chairman, Elephant Committee
Director of Animal Welfare
North Hollywood North East Neighborhood Council