Los Angeles - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recently called for an independent review of three elephants' well-being at the Los Angeles Zoo. The study, anticipated to address housing and health needs, is to be conducted by the City Administrative Office and submitted to the mayor and city council by Sept. 30 of this year.

In a letter to City Administrative Officer Bill Fujioka on Aug. 12, Villaraigosa stated, “I have been reviewing the situation regarding the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo for several months and I have some concerns that warrant independent review and analysis.” Mentioning varying space requirements for housing elephants in captivity, Villaraigosa's letter went on to say, “some zoos are even reaching the conclusion that they cannot provide an appropriate space to meet the needs of elephants at all (i.e., San Francisco, Detroit, Milwaukee and others).”

John Lewis, director of the Los Angeles Zoo, defended the elephant exhibit. “We know we have a good elephant program and the plans for the new exhibit will further improve it," he said. "We want to convince the public of this and we are confident that the study will do so.”

Lewis described a new exhibit planned to increase the elephants' space and add Thai-style architecture to display the animals in a natural habitat with a cultural perspective. “The American Zoo and Aquarium Organization sets standards for exhibits and this particular plan well exceeds those standards,” Lewis noted.

In the meantime, the review will stall funding for the $4 million project planned to increase the current .25 acres dedicated to the city's elephants to 2 acres. It is unclear if this plan, suggested by the major, would significantly improve the living conditions for the elephants or not.

Los Angeles' largest animal rights organization, Last Chance for Animals(LCA), is especially appreciative of the mayor's recent request for analysis. For 17 years LCA has been involved with the issue of elephants kept in captivity. The organization has rigorously campaigned to relocate the LA Zoo elephants to a sanctuary, an effort started when one of the zoo's African elephants died eight months ago at the relatively young age of 38. A typical lifespan for elephants in the wild is 60-70 years.

Elephants are known to be social animals in need of constant companionship, with family units consisting of up to 100 members. Elephants also walk 40 miles per day on average, a necessary activity that is hindered by captivity. LCA hopes that zoos will realize the environmental needs of healthy elephants are far greater than what can be provided for them at a zoo.

“Right now LCA's main goal is to raise public awareness. The mayor needs support from citizens and the city council,” stated Robin Van Heertum, director of Campaigns for LCA.