Dear Animal Friend,


As you may know, two out of three elephants died prematurely at the Lincoln Park Zoo, leaving Wankie alone without her only companions of more than 30 years. The Lincoln Park Zoo plans to shuffle Wankie off to more of the same problems at the Hogle Zoo in a matter of weeks and to eventually bring in more elephants.


The Hogle Zoo has neither adequate space nor an appropriate climate and, given its disturbing record of animal care, this is an extremely poor choice for Wankie. The Hogle Zoo has long history of failing to meet the minimal standards established in the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and other problems. The Hogle Zoo paid a $25,000 fine to settle charges of repeat and willful violations of the AWA. Numerous animals have escaped, and several have died from unsafe conditions, including two chimpanzees who were shot after they escaped and mauled a keeper. Elephants at the Hogle Zoo have died from arthritis, twisted intestines, suspected vitamin deficiency, and unknown causes. Following a recent audit, the zoo was accused by the Utah Legislature of selling bighorn sheep to a game ranch for trophy hunting.


In Defense of Animals, PETA, the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, the Animal Protection & Rescue League, San Diego Animal Advocates are joining together to hold simultaneous protests in Chicago, Salt Lake City, and San Diego to urge the Lincoln Park Zoo to immediately retire Wankie to a sanctuary and to close the zoo�s elephant exhibit permanently.


Please join us at a protest at the Lincoln Park Zoo on Wednesday, April 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. directly in front of the elephant exhibit, which is located at the north end of the park adjacent to the Lincoln Park Conservancy off of Stockton.


Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60614


Please ask friends, family, and coworkers to attend as well. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at: Kristie (at) idausa.org. For more information on Wankie�s plight, please visit: www.savezooelephants.com


The Chicago City Council plans to consider a resolution on May 12 recommending that Wankie be retired to a sanctuary and that the Lincoln Park Zoo permanently close its elephant exhibit. Council aldermen need to hear from you immediately. Please urge your alderman to ask Lincoln Park Zoo Director Kevin Bell to delay Wankie�s transfer to another zoo until the case is heard in a public forum. Also ask your alderman to support the resolution. To determine which ward you live in, visit:
66.107.4.19/get_elected_officials.asp. To locate your City Council alderman, visit: www.cityofchicago.org/CityCouncil/.



Thank you.