AR-News: (TN - US) Suit challenges Ruby the elephant's transfer

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Zoo criticized for isolating elephant 
AP 
Ruby, a 43-year-old African elephant, gets a bath from Jim Naelitz in the 
barn at the Knoxville Zoo. Ruby was transferred from the Los Angeles Zoo a year 
ago and remains separated from the other female elephants. 

By ELIZABETH A. DAVIS
Associated Press


Suit wants L.A. transplant with Knoxville herd

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the yard of the Knoxville Zoo, an African elephant 
named Ruby can see and touch the other elephants with her trunk, but a barrier 
keeps her from getting any closer.

Even though handlers believe she has been accepted by the others and someday 
could join them, they are troubled by the dominant behavior she's shown and 
worry that the 43-year-old could hurt her fellow pachyderms.

''That's what set us back a little,'' said Lisa New, the Knoxville Zoo's 
animal collections director. ''She showed us she wanted to be in charge. ... Ruby 
is like a little bulldozer.''

Animal rights advocates say the separation, which has gone on for nearly a 
year, has made Ruby lonely and unhappy.

They filed a lawsuit challenging Ruby's transfer last year to Knoxville from 
the Los Angeles Zoo, where she had lived alongside an Asian elephant named 
Gita for 16 years.

In April a Los Angeles judge ordered the Knoxville Zoo to report by October 
on how Ruby is faring so he can decide whether she stays in Knoxville, returns 
to California or relocates to a sanctuary.

Knoxville Zoo officials say they have seen no indications that Ruby is 
stressed or uncomfortable, but backers of the lawsuit want to see Ruby integrated 
with the other three female elephants or at least to see progress toward 
integration.

''We have a great interest in her happiness. We would love to think she could 
be integrated,'' said Gretchen Wyler, vice president of the Humane Society of 
the United States. ''That's all we wanted.''

Knoxville Zoo officials say that even after a year Ruby isn't ready to mingle 
with Edie, Jana and Mamie, the other female elephants.

Elephant manager Jim Naelitz said in court documents that handlers tried a 
few times to put Ruby in the yard with Jana, but that Ruby showed aggression.

''We are moving at Ruby's pace,'' Knoxville Zoo Executive Director Jim Vlna 
said.

The L.A. Zoo sought a new home for Ruby so it could focus exclusively on 
Asian elephants. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association suggested sending Ruby 
to Knoxville, which has only African elephants and recently renovated and 
expanded its elephant exhibit.

A former L.A. Zoo curator who visited Knoxville to observe Ruby doubts that 
there will be much progress.

''In my opinion, given its history over the past year, it is not likely that 
the Knoxville Zoo will be able to successfully integrate Ruby in the foresee- 
able future,'' Leslie Schobert said in court documents.

 






 
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