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Activists, Grammy-winning icons, and new lawsuits all defend two beloved elephants amid rumors that the Los Angeles Zoo will secretly ship them out.
Los Angeles resident John Kelly announced Sunday that he was suing La Zoo. The city claimed it was preparing to move two Asian elephants, Billy and Tina, to another zoo called the “Elephant Experience and Reserve” in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Billy – Often referred to as “the saddest elephant in the world,” Tina was at the heart of the debate over their welfare for years.
“Razoo is now planning to send Billy and Tina to another zoo where they continue to suffer under the same inhumane conditions. This is unacceptable,” John Kelly’s lawyer Melissa Lerner told KTLA’s Jean Kang.
Lerner said the judge had submitted an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order, hoping that the judge would hear their arguments and prevent Billy and Tina from moving immediately.
The Grammy-winning artist, Cher, made a statement on behalf of her beloved animal, posted to X with a link to submit the form to Mayor Karen Bass, saying that she would simply lead the potential move to “a different cage.”
“The Tulsa Zoo is not a sanctuary,” Cher said in a statement, according to a Hollywood reporter. “Billie and Tina spent time in captivity. They deserve the opportunity to live their lives in peace and dignity.”
For at least 15 years, Cher has insisted on moving Billy to the sanctuary.
“Billie has been locked up since 1989,” Cher’s statement reportedly read. “Tina was taken prisoner at a private zoo before being placed in Lazo. They went through hell. I saw firsthand what it takes to rescue, rehabilitate and safely relocate the elephants to the sanctuary.”
In a 2018 post to X, Cher said he had just come from City Hall and testified on behalf of Billy.
“He needs an independent exam and needs to be removed from the LA County Zoo before he dies,” says singer X-Post. “He’s a cash cow/elephant to them… nothing more! He lives a lonely life destroying him every day.”
In 2014, the artist posted to X, “I’m not an animal activist. I was involved with Billy because LA Zoo is responsible for his mental breakdown.”
On Sunday, protesters gathered outside Lazo to demand that Billy and Tina get the love and retirement they deserve.
“We’re here to get these elephants out,” said Sandra Bell, an animal rights advocate. “They’ve been standing in isolation for too long. We’re not here for any reason other than kicking Billy and Tina out of here.”
Animal rights advocates argue that the zoo misinterpreted the public to think that elephants were heading for peaceful retirement in certified wildlife sanctuaries.
“These are large animals and deserve to be friends,” said Simone Rendel Shelby, another animal rights advocate. “I don’t know why they send them to another zoo.”
The zoo defends the decision and says it’s best for elephant welfare, but city leaders are split, with some councillors supporting the mayor of Base and the zoo, and others, including councillor Bob Blumenfield, demanding that the decision be delayed until other options are investigated.
KTLA contacted the LA city’s attorney’s office about the lawsuit, but the spokesman said he had not commented on the pending lawsuit.
There is no exact travel date set, but for now, the future for Billy and Tina remains uncertain.
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