PETA Statement: Pittsburgh Zoo Drops Accreditation in Favor of Endangering Elephants and Workers

For Immediate Release:
August 17, 2015

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Please see the following statement from Brittany Peet, PETA Foundation deputy director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement:

With its foolish, lazy, and dangerous insistence on herding elephants with dogs and allowing its elephant handlers to wield weapons called bullhooks that resemble fireplace pokers, the Pittsburgh Zoo has acted like an unaccredited roadside zoo for years, but now it’s official. Modern elephant programs always use barriers to separate elephants and handlers, protecting both—and ropes, chains, and bullhooks are never used. As long as the Pittsburgh Zoo is intent on scaring elephants and placing dogs and employees at risk, no kind or reasonable person should buy a ticket to support it.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.