Powerful elephant documentary tells the story of Joyce the elephant
News
A short elephant documentary detailing the tragic life of Joyce the elephant at a theme park in the US state of New Jersey has been released to highlight her plight.
Image credit: World Animal Protection / Miguel Endara
Thanks to your support, Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, Director of Wildlife Research & Veterinary Expertise at World Animal Protection (Denmark), was able to visit Six Flags Wild Safari to assess Joyce’s environment. His findings were nothing short of heartbreaking.
Following Dr Schmidt-Burbach's visit, World Animal Protection raised significant concerns to Six Flags about the surprisingly small, barren enclosure provided for the elephants and that Joyce the elephant was isolated in an area approximately 700,000 times less than an African Elephant would have in the wild.
Even more disturbing is the proximity of the rollercoasters. Noting that elephants detect vibrations over miles, we expressed concern for its impact on Joyce and the other captive wildlife at the park.
How did Joyce the elephant end up living at a theme park?
Joyce’s story is filled with tragedy. As a calf she was captured from the wild in 1984, and she would have watched her mother be killed before being ripped away from her companion elephants.
Joyce was sold and resold around the United States. She was forced to perform in circuses and exploited in zoos, before ending up at Six Flags Wild Safari where she has remained for the last 15 years. Today, she languishes between a small barn in the winter and a tiny enclosure when the park is open in the warmer months.
With you by our side, we’ll continue demanding that Six Flags release Joyce the elephant and the other elephants like her to sanctuaries and close the elephant exhibit for good.
Together we’re ending elephant exploitation. Forever.
Elephant facts
Did you know that elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild, however their lifespan in captivity is generally shorter?
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