A recent controversy regarding the transfer of the elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo has sparked heated debate over the animals’ overall well-being as well as the zoo’s ethics.
Many groups, including Nonhuman Rights Project, In Defense of Animals, and Voice for the Animals Foundation have been protesting against the LA Zoo. These protests surround Billy and Tina, two Asian elephants that were in the zoo for over ten years.
In spring of 2025, the zoo faced an eruption of backlash after announcing the elephants would be moving to the Tulsa Zoo. This upset many animal rights activists, and even some celebrities, because they believed that the elephants should be released, or transported to a sanctuary instead of another zoo.
Ms. Benitez, a Zoo Magnet science teacher that works at the Main Campus, says she understands both sides. “The problem with all the elephants that we had at the LA Zoo, is that they were not fit to be in the wild,” she states. She explains that they had grown up in captivity, and were not suited for their natural environments. Tina and two older elephants named Jewel and Shaunzi, were from a circus. Billy was from another facility that mistreated elephants.
As a result of his background, Billy did exhibit signs of stress. “There’s no denying that he had those behaviors,” Ms. Benitez admits. “But he did already have those behaviors, even before he came to the zoo,” she adds. Some examples of the stress behaviors Billy had were head nodding and pacing.
She believes the elephants were a flagship species. Ms. Benitez observed that people usually go into conservation after seeing the animals in person, not because they watched a video. She says the majesty and beauty of a species creates an urge to protect them, which is why zoos are important for the preservation of wildlife.
Zookeeper Nicole Miller believes the elephants “had the utmost best care while in the LA Zoo.” As an employee for almost thirty years, Miller has witnessed the treatment of the elephants firsthand. She also knows a lot about the regulations the zoo has to follow.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is an organization that accredits zoos and aquariums to ensure animal welfare. “The AZA has high standards,” Miller explains. She says this is to “ensure the animals are well cared for, have stimulating enrichment, and have proper food.”
“The care at Tulsa Zoo is amazing. They have a huge area for their elephants,” she comments. To be exact, they have seventeen acres of land for their habitat. “They have many skilled keepers, and veterinarians on staff to care for them,”
Miller adds, highlighting the importance of the elephants’ health.
Zoo Magnet students believe that zoos are important for the preservation of wild animals. Allie Williamson, a senior husbandry student at the Zoo Magnet, states “there’s a lot of good programs. I think the one for the yellow-legged frog is really interesting.” The LA Zoo website states that they have released 450 tadpoles into the wild, to support the wild population from reaching extinction.
Williamson also mentions that “The LA Zoo is known for their condor breeding program, since they are a native Californian bird, and they are very much endangered.”
According to the LA Zoo website, the wild population of condors was down to twenty-two. Through a breeding and reintroduction program, the species is currently at more than 500.
Aven Munoz, another husbandry student, calls attention to the treatment of the animals at the zoo. “Working behind the scenes, you get to notice so much,” she states. Munoz believes that an outside perspective doesn’t give the full picture.
She used to believe that the zoo makes every decision for the animals. “That’s so far from the truth,” she corrects. She describes how they are given the opportunity to either go out into their enclosure, or stay in their stall to be away from public attention. She believes this mindfulness gives the animals autonomy over their lives.
When it comes to protesting and advocating, being informed is important. Overall, it seems that both the zoo and the protesters want what is best for Billy and Tina– it is simply a disagreement of which means are most appropriate for their circumstances.
