Betty White Stands Up for Elephant Exhibit

[Janice]

Betty White Stands Up for Elephant Exhibit


(AP) Actress Betty White arrives for the 2004 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards at the Shrine...
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Former "Golden Girls" actress Betty White joined more than 100 people rallying in front of the Los Angeles Zoo to try to keep the pachyderm exhibit from being closed.

The demonstration Saturday came in response to a study ordered by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to determine whether the exhibit should be shut down. Animal rights activists called for the study, saying the elephants need more acreage.

Several zoos nationwide, including San Francisco's, have closed their elephant exhibits. But fans say the Los Angeles Zoo's elephants - Billy, Gita and Ruby - are treated well. White, one of the zoo's commissioners, said removing the animals would deny children the opportunity to learn about them.

"They see these gorgeous animals and they know we must not let them perish off this Earth," White said. "You don't get that off a documentary." As part of the study, an elephant expert examined the zoo's enclosure. City officials said the study should be ready soon.

[80sTrivia]

I think it is wonderful that Betty is such a wonderful supporter of animal rights!

[shadowhawk]

Agh! I know! The Detroit Zoo shut down their elephant exhibit this year, I guess because the elephants were getting sick in the cold atmosphere. Where are the elephants these zoos boot out being sent? The Detroit Zoo elephants were sent to a wild game ranch in Texas, which is supposed to give them an existence closer to what they get in the wild.

Yeah, hats off to Betty White for her animal expertise. I remember seeing her on an animal game show called Animal Crackers, hosted by Alan Thicke (anyone remember this show?). They gave her a piglet to hold. That piglet was frightened and shaking, but when she took it in her arms, it stopped shaking and was so calm.