The famous Bronx Zoo Asian elephant, Happy, recently sparked concern from activists due to her unusual behavior of laying down in a sand pit with significant foot damage. The activists at the NhRP believe this behavior is not normal for Happy, as they had only ever observed her standing in her enclosure prior to this incident. However, the zoo maintains that Happy is in good health, and lying down is a normal behavior for healthy elephants. They also stated that any foot issues are managed with routine pedicures.
The NhRP criticized the zoo’s response, calling it minimizing of Happy’s ailments and reiterating that foot disease is a leading cause of death for captive elephants. They believe that Happy is not being provided with adequate physical and emotional support in her current enclosure. The NhRP has been advocating for Happy’s freedom since 2018, even taking her case to the New York Court of Appeals. However, the court ruled that Happy is not a person under the law.
The drama over Happy’s well-being began in mid-July when the NhRP raised concerns about her disappearance from public view. The Bronx Zoo stated that Happy had chosen not to go out into the public viewing area and had been staying near the barn instead. However, Happy eventually returned to the public area last week. The zoo also noted that the USDA conducted an inspection in response to a complaint from the NhRP, which found no issues with Happy or any other elephants at the zoo.
The activist group remains concerned about Happy’s confinement and filed an Animal Welfare Act Complaint with the USDA on her behalf. They fear that she is experiencing physical and psychological distress that has been building for decades. The Bronx Zoo, on the other hand, shared a video of Happy appearing relaxed and taking a dust bath, stating that she has access to indoor and outdoor spaces and chooses where she wants to be. They maintain that there are no serious issues with Happy’s health and well-being.
Ultimately, there is a stark contrast in opinions between the NhRP and the Bronx Zoo regarding Happy’s well-being. While the NhRP believes Happy is suffering due to her confinement and foot issues, the zoo insists that she is in good health and has the freedom to choose her environment. The ongoing debate over Happy’s happiness and health highlights the complexities of caring for captive elephants and the differing perspectives on what constitutes appropriate care for these intelligent animals.
