Springtime is always a time of change and renewal, and as spring represents change and new beginnings for us, this year it is also true of the Los Angeles Zoo elephants, Billy and Tina.
It is a bittersweet announcement, but I am pleased to say that Billy and Tina have arrived safely at the Tulsa Zoo. As you know, the decision to move Billy and Tina was not an easy one. It took nearly a year to consider all viable options and evaluate the future of the Zoo’s elephant program. Ultimately, although we will all miss them dearly, we should all be happy for them as they begin their next chapter in Tulsa alongside the five Asian elephants in Tulsa’s resident herd.
I know many of you have been following the stories in the media, and I want to assure you that I stand by this decision and will continue to defend it along with the excellent care that is provided for every animal in our zoo. We all know the truth: Any assertion that the animal care provided at the Los Angeles Zoo is substandard is simply false. Period.
As I previously shared upon the announcement of the decision to move Billy and Tina, we found the Zoo at a fork in the road upon the passing of Shaunzi in January 2024. Because AZA accreditation standards dictate that an accredited zoo must maintain a social herd of three or more elephants, we were left with two options: bring more elephants in, or send our elephants out. The current status of the AZA Asian elephant population and the limited availability of elephants eliminated the option of creating a larger social herd at the L.A. Zoo. The decision to move them to Tulsa was made in consultation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and its Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP) and Taxon Advisory Group (TAG).
I want to acknowledge the expert care and dedication that our animal care and veterinary teams have provided to the elephants, as well as the outstanding teamwork from other support staff that ensured that Billy and Tina were prepared for the transport when the time came and that the logistics of the move went well.
I am grateful for the dedication of the entire Zoo staff, all of our wonderful docents and volunteers, as well as the support of our members. Each and every one of you have been a part of Billy and Tina’s time in Los Angeles. As Billy and Tina begin their next chapter, so do we. As we look back with fondness and love, we also continue to move forward by furthering our mission to save wildlife, enrich our communities, and create connections to nature.
Thank you for your unwavering support of the Los Angeles Zoo.
