Ruby the lonely elephant

[Mojorabbit]

I saw this post in the activist section and am putting it here to ask for your help.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x30350

If enough of us call perhaps we can help this poor animal be moved to a sanctuary.
Please look at the post. It has been bothering me all day. We write and call our legislators with
little effect but here is a place where we can make a difference for this poor elephant.
Thanks
Mojo

[MasonJar]

1. I e-mailed them both. Come on, DUers, get into the act for Ruby.

Recommended!

[Benhurst]

2. Recommended

[xchrom]

3. k&r

[Marrah_G]

4. k&r. n/t

[Divernan]

5. Thanks, I'd missed the other thread. I e-mailed the following:

Dear Mr. Louis:

One would expect that someone whose living is made from people's love of animals would treat said animals with kindness. I was quite sorry to read on the Democratic Underground blog (+102,000 registered members, and many thousands more unregistered readers) that you:
(1) keep this elephant when you have chosen not to provide the level of care
recommended for elephants by national zoo guidelines;
(2) block the effort to release her to an animal sanctuary when this would mean:
A. NO cost to your zoo since funds have been raised to cover the cost of transporting her;
B. Actual savings to your zoo by not having to pay for her care/upkeep (to the inadequate extent that youcurrently provide substandard care);
C. No impact on your zoo visitors, since they are not allowed to see this animal anyway.

Cc: The Honorable Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Mayor
(Note to the Mayor's office: As a former resident of Los Angeles, I was saddened to read about this situation.
In the City of Angels, I hope some "angel" in your office will exert some influence on the Zoo Director, as well as
the zoo's Board of Directors to rectify this sad state of affairs. You know, there are so many horrible situations going
on in this country and around the world, which are so complex that we despair of fixing them (i.e., global warming, genocidal wars, starvation and poverty, to mention a few). This situation can be rectified at no cost to the zoo or the city, and would be a rare happy event that would make many people smile. And isn't that what zoos are supposed be about anyway?

I will be following the news on this matter, and hope to see some positive action taken in the near future.
Very truly yours,

[Duppers]

9. impressive letter

VERY good points, Divernan.

For years I've donated to the Elephant Sanctuary, Hohenwald, TN, which sounds like the perfect place for dear Ruby.

http://www.elephants.com/

http://www.elephants.com/sanct.htm


K & R

[Divernan]

10. Great sanctuary, and with a live animal cam too!

Although it appears to be pouring rain at the moment and the elephants are under shelter somewhere else. But I saved the link - love wild animal cams.

[nam78_two]

6. K&R.nt

[ShortnFiery]

7. Sent ! K & R

I still love Elephants despite the fact that they are the symbol of our political opponents. ;)

They are God's Creatures ... IMO, very intelligent and lovable. :hi:

Thanks for the information and I did my small part to help. SnF

[Mend]

8. I emailed: "FREE RUBY" eom

[Theres-a]

22. Me too

Good idea.Simple.Most good ideas are.

[Annces]

11. Done n/t

[Shell Beau]

12. How terrible! Poor Ruby! I sent an e-mail!

[KT2000]

13. Elephants need each other

Saw a show about an elephant sanctuary that saved them from mistreatment at circuses.

They brought in an older female. After disembarking the truck she went to the fence where the resident elephants were lined up to see who was arriving. As it happened, the arriving elephant's sister was at the fence. They had not seen each other in a long time but they immediately rubbed each others heads with their trunks.
:cry:

[stuntcat]

14. ty for the article

I'm about to write, I'll have a couple more people do it too!

[Mojorabbit]

15. Thanks

I am sendiing out my letters too. I cannot imagine what would be in someone's mind to keep a social creature like an elephant alone for so long like that. They must have a soul of stone.

[Duppers]

16. bump for Ruby

write a short email(s), folks, please.

[marzipanni]

17. I emailed the zoo director

"You have it in your power to improve the quality of an elephant's life. Please let Ruby go to live at the sanctuary."
(I'll email the mayor tomorrow)

[xchrom]

18. kick

[AtomicKitten]

19. The San Diego Wild Animal Park

is a wonderful place. Perhaps they can take her.

K&R

[spiderpig]

20. Done and done

I love elephants.

[Mojorabbit]

21. So do I

And her posture in the picture seems so dejected to me. It just breaks my heart.

[Theres-a]

23. Got an email from the mayor........

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail my office to express your views
and concerns.

As Mayor, I am pleased to hear from you so that I may better serve the
needs of Los Angeles. Your comments will be forwarded to the
appropriate staff member or city department.

A swift way to resolve service problems and needs is to dial 311, the
City's direct phone line to customer service information. If you are
outside the City of Los Angeles, you may also reach a 311 Ambassador by
calling 213-473-3231.

Very truly yours,


Antonio R. Villaraigosa
Mayor

[byronius]

24. Done.

[Mojorabbit]

25. Thanks

and kicking in case anyone else might want to send an email to help Ruby out.