Group asks feds to look into elephant care

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 9, 2007 | by Dan JudgeSTAFF

An animal rights group is asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to investigate Six Flags Discovery Kingdom's allegedly abusive treatment of the Vallejo amusement park's elephants.

In Defense of Animals has filed a complaint with the USDA charging that Six Flags has violated the federal Animal Welfare Act by failing to provide adequate veterinary care or living conditions for the elephants.

"The conditions at Six Flags are causing these elephants to suffer and some of them to die," IDA spokeswoman Catherine Doyle said Thursday.

Discovery Kingdom representatives countered the charges by the San Rafael-based group by noting that the USDA inspected the park only a few weeks ago and gave it a passing grade.

"It's so unfortunate that this group believes their own lies and misinterpretation of the information," Discovery Kingdom spokeswoman Nancy Chan said. "Our elephants receive excellent care that is individualized and comprehensive."

USDA officials did not immediately return calls for comment Thursday.

The animal activists' complaint comes on the heels of a protest the group held at the park last week.

IDA is charging that two of the park's Asian elephants are forced to perform in shows that include lifting 600-pound logs.

Additionally, the complaint alleges that trainers have abused a 20-year-old African elephant that suffers from severe allergies. It has also been the victim of aggression and injury by other elephants, the group claims.

The investigation request also claims all the park's elephants are subject to "a coercive system of management that relies on physical punishment and domination."

The group is particularly concerned about the trainers' use of a device called a bullhook, a metal tool resembling a fireplace poker that is used to "prod and poke" the elephants, Doyle said.