The reason behind the controversy is that at just nine years old, Thong Dee is, in elephantine terms, barely an adolescent. Erica Martin, Asia Pacific Director of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, described the situation as "the equivalent of allowing your twelve-year-old daughter to become pregnant".
Calling the zoo's actions "completely irresponsible", Ms Martin recommended that captive elephants should be prevented from breeding until their eleventh birthdays.
Although in her statement Ms Martin does not seem to have suggested a viable means of coming between a three-ton lovesick girl and her chosen Valentine, her position is supported by animal rights groups.
"We know that calves born in zoos have double the mortality rate in the wild, and this pregnancy will put both mother and calf at great risk.," Bidda Jones, chief scientist with Australia's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSCPA).
However, Thong Dee's visit from what must presumably have been a rather large stork has not been met with unalloyed disapproval. Taronga Zoo is delighted, as the birth, should it go smoothly, would be the first to a captive elephant in Australia.
No comments:
Post a Comment