Councilman Claims Billy The Elephant Suffers Under Treatment Of LA Zoo

LOS ANGELES, CA — A city councilman introduced a motion Wednesday calling for an Asian elephant named Billy to be moved to a sanctuary and away from the Los Angeles Zoo on grounds that life at the zoo has caused him to adopt unnatural, unhealthy behaviors.

Aside from calling for his removal, the motion, which was introduced by Councilman Paul Koretz, claims that the zoo's efforts to collect genetic material from Billy are "invasive" and "detrimental to his well being."

The motion also claims the zoo may not be fully complying with a court order that resulted from a lawsuit, which is under appeal but required the zoo to make improvements in the treatment of its elephants and calls for the creation of an animal welfare oversight committee to advise the mayor, the City Council, the zoo and the Board of Zoo Commissioners.

Los Angeles Zoo officials went on the attack Tuesday, seeking to refute Koretz' contention that Billy's living conditions are "unnatural" and too "restricted."

"The sprawling exhibit is 6.56 acres, with over three acres of outdoor space, deep bathing pools, a waterfall, sandy hills, varied topography, clever enrichment opportunities, and a high-tech barn capable of caring for elephants of all sizes and ages," according to a statement from the zoo. "The facility greatly exceeds the standards set out by California Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums."

Koretz has another take on Billy's situation. Because males and females living in captivity must be kept separate, none of the zoo's elephants can use the exhibit's entire space and Billy does not get the daily exercise he needs to be both physically and psychologically healthy, according to Koretz.

"For many years, Billy has lived in an area completely unnatural for an animal of his size and of his stature," the councilman said. "It's sad and wrong to see any animal, living in captivity, in social isolation, restricted in movement, and physical activity. In fact, he has long been displaying stereotypic behavior, such as repetitive head bobbing, which goes on for extended periods of time."

Billy has lived at the zoo for most of his 30 years and has long been the subject of protests against his captivity.

An ongoing lawsuit filed by a real estate agent in 2007 alleges conditions at the zoo are unsuitable for his species. Animal activists also started an online petition last year calling on the zoo to move Billy to a sanctuary and collected more than 190,000 signatures.

"Much has been said about the zoo's elephant program, including persistent misinformation and inaccuracies as it specifically relates to our male Asian elephant, Billy," according to the zoo. "It is important that accurate and factual information about our program be shared so that the public understands why the L.A. Zoo is an excellent home for these elephants."

City News Service; Photo LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 13: The Indian elephant Billy, sole remaining elephant on public display at the Los Angeles Zoo, is seen surrounded by chains as Ruby, a 45-year-old African elephant that activist want to send to a sanctuary, remains out of public view on December 13, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. The push to move Ruby to the PAWS sanctuary in San Andreas, California would be contingent upon the zoo's willingness to release the elephant that activists say has been kept in isolation since the controversial death of her longtime companion, Gita, in June. If moved, Ruby would have 500 times the space of her current enclosure at the zoo. Animal rights activists, including Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, California, and 'The Price is Right' television host, Bob Barker, have been vocal opponents of the zoo's elephant exhibit and would like to see the exhibit closed and both elephants removed to a larger space. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)