Tell the Oregon Zoo Not to Euthanize Their 54-Year-Old Elephant Packy!

Update: We are very sad to report, the Oregon Zoo killed Packy on February 9th, 2017. Read about it here. 

Packy, a 54-year old Asian elephant currently held captive at the Oregon Zoo desperately needs you. An elephant keeper and another zoo employee at the Oregon Zoo, dubbing themselves “Team Packy,” have exposed what In Defense of Animals has described as a closed-door, lethal discussion between the Oregon Zoo management and Metro Council to kill Packy.

In Defense of Animals and Free the Oregon Zoo Elephants are urgently asking citizens to make a plea to officials not to kill this gentle giant. “Euthanasia is killing out of compassion to alleviate an individual’s suffering. This does not appear to be the case for Packy,” notes Toni Frohoff, Ph.D., Elephant Scientist for In Defense of Animals. This is not okay!

As the oldest male Asian elephant in North America, Packy deserves to live out his golden years in freedom, peace, and dignity.

For the past 54 years of his life, he has been subjected to a life in an enclosure that undoubtedly pales in comparison to a wild environment.

One of Packy’s keepers posted on Facebook stating, “It appears Zoo Management and Metro are about to make the decision to put Packy down and this decision is not based on science, safety or Packy’s best interest. It is a risk based decision made by politicians, attorneys and other officials who fear the future repercussions of keeping him alive.”

Packy was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2013 but reportedly shows no signs of suffering from the disease. “If Packy really is not suffering, the zoo owes him hospice, not death,” said In Defense of Animals President, Dr. Marilyn Kroplick. “Research shows that elephants are self-aware and conscious animals. Oregon Zoo brought Packy into the world and profited from him; now they need to provide the care he needs.”

Elephants in the wild spend their days roaming miles of natural habitat, foraging for fresh food, and socializing with other elephants. Packy, however, never had the privilege of growing up in the wild like other elephants.

Please take a few minutes to speak up for Packy and ask your friends and family to do the same. Contact Oregon Zoo, the Zoo Foundation, and Metro Council and ask that they do not euthanize Packy.
Oregon Zoo’s Director, Don Moore, 503-220-2450
Metro Council President, Tom Hughes, 503-797-1989
Oregon Zoo Foundation Communications Coordinator, Rita Paolo, 503-220-5771

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Image Source: In Defense of Animals/Team Packy