(ME - US) Maine is 1st state to pass legislation on treatment of performing elephants

[Snugglezzz at aol.com]

By Sharon Kiley Mack, Of the NEWS Staff e-mail Sharon 
Last updated: Wednesday, May 21, 2003 
State passes elephant care law



AUGUSTA - Maine is the first state in the country to pass legislation that will address the treatment of performing elephants.Although it is substantially different than first proposed, a bill to monitor elephants in traveling circuses as they pass through Maine has been approved by the state Legislature. It awaits the signature of Gov. John Baldacci to become law.



The original bill, LD 327, would have banned all elephants used in circuses, traveling exhibitions or zoos. Instead, amendments eliminated the ban and directed the Maine Department of Agriculture to adopt rules of care for elephants that reflect those used by the federal government.


"This is a first step, a step in the right direction," said Sen. Margaret Pendleton, D-Cumberland, the bill's sponsor on Tuesday. Pendleton said that she voted against a similar elephant ban that was proposed and failed in 2001.


"But I got a lot of mail and phone calls, much of it from children, following that vote and so I decided to take a second look," she said. "There was some evidence of possible abuse during training."


Joined by animal activists and advocates, Pendleton proposed the ban. A public hearing before the Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Conservation in late February drew more than 70 people. During three hours of testimony, supporters said the bill was needed because elephants are abused in circus environments.


Circus representatives, however, told the committee that they are closely monitored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and must follow strict care and training guidelines, including requirements set for sleeping, eating and socializing.


According to the bill passed, state animal welfare officials would parallel the same inspections and use the same care regulations that federal officials use. Norma Worley, head of the Animal Welfare Division of the Department of Agriculture, said that each organization bringing elephants into the state would register with Animal Welfare and a set of standards would be created. The state veterinarian would then spot-check the circuses.


Worley has had training through the Humane Society of the U.S. on circuses, including training segments on elephants.


Worley said "There are not that many elephants that come into the state [each year] - less than a dozen probably - but there are enough to make this important."


The bill was hailed by Maine Friends of Animals as landmark legislation. 


"We are very encouraged that other states are likely to take Maine's lead and also pass legislation that will end the plight of these magnificent, intelligent and social animals," said Robert Fisk, Jr., MFOA president.


MFOA has maintained during its three-year campaign for legislation that circus elephants are treated inhumanely and, as a species that roams 20 miles a day in the wild, that they spend most of their lives in chains.