Group demands probe into zoo elephant's death

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, June, 2008 | by Sam Wood Inquirer Staff Writer

Petal the elephant died June 9 at the Philadelphia Zoo. At 52, she the was oldest African elephant living in an American zoo. But an animal-rights group believes it might have been more than old age that killed her - a claim dismissed by federal officials. In Defense of Animals, based in San Rafael, Calif., filed a complaint earlier this week with the U.S.

Department of Agriculture calling for an investigation into Petal's death. "There's a lot of unanswered questions," said Catherine Doyle, the group's campaign director. "We want the USDA to review the surveillance video and determine if Petal and the other elephants were being adequately monitored and provided with proper care." The USDA has already completed its investigation. "We have looked into it," said Karen...