Urge Niabi Zoo to Retire Elephants Sophie and Babe to a Sanctuary

Wikimedia Commons

BACKGROUND | SOURCE IDA

The Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois, recently made the commendable decision to relocate two female Asian elephants—Sophie and Babe—to another facility that can better meet their needs. IDA and our supporters have long urged the zoo and the Rock Island County board to send the elephants to a facility that offers a more suitable climate, ample space, excellent veterinary care, and the companionship of other elephants. The zoo has reportedly narrowed down a search to three facilities and has stated that the elephants will be moved by winter.

Sophie and Babe must be moved to a facility that offers dramatically improved conditions—not more of the same. At ages 43 and 37, both elephants have chronic health problems exacerbated by the zoo’s tiny enclosure and long, cold winters that have kept the elephants confined in their cramped barn, sometimes for 24 hours a day. Sophie’s health is especially bad—she suffers from arthritis, painful foot abscesses, and pressure sores. The elephants’ health will only continue to worsen if conditions for them aren’t significantly improved.

Please take a moment to write to the Niabi Zoo’s director and the director of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District. Please keep your comments brief and polite and thank them for recognizing that Sophie and Babe need improved care and better conditions. Please encourage them to consider retiring Sophie and Babe to a sanctuary in a warmer climate where they would greatly benefit from round-the-clock veterinary care, room to exercise, and the companionship of other elephants. Also, please point out that it is important the elephants stay together, since they are closely bonded.


WHOM TO CONTACT

Jeff Craver, Director, Rock Island County Forest Preserve District
jcraver@ricfpd.org

Marc Heinzman, Director, Niabi Zoo
mheinzman@niabizoo.com


SAMPLE LETTER

Dear Directors Craver and Heinzman,

The Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois, recently made the commendable decision to relocate two female Asian elephants—Sophie and Babe—to another facility that can better meet their needs.

Sophie and Babe must be moved to a facility that offers dramatically improved conditions—not more of the same. At ages 43 and 37, both elephants have chronic health problems exacerbated by the zoo’s tiny enclosure and long, cold winters that have kept the elephants confined in their cramped barn, sometimes for 24 hours a day. Sophie’s health is especially bad—she suffers from arthritis, painful foot abscesses, and pressure sores. The elephants’ health will only continue to worsen if conditions for them aren’t significantly improved.

Thank you for recognizing that Sophie and Babe need improved care and better conditions. I encourage you to consider retiring Sophie and Babe to a sanctuary in a warmer climate where they would greatly benefit from round-the-clock veterinary care, room to exercise, and the companionship of other elephants. Also, please note that it is important the elephants stay together, since they are closely bonded.

Thank you for your compassion and immediate attention to this urgent appeal.

NAME

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dear zoopersons,

our names are babe and sophie
and we very old.
we are also tired, and our limbs
feel stiff and cold.
we need proper food and
a warm place to live.
we want this chance
that is up to you to give.
please let us go together
to a sanctuary in these
our last years.
we hope our pleas
are not received
by deaf ears.

signed,
babe, sophie and those who love them

Karen Lyons Kalmenson