Billie Eilish Joins Campaign to Save Suffering Pandas at Memphis Zoo

Despite some claims of “conservation,” zoos exist to provide entertainment for the paying public and the animals often suffer as a result. With improper habitats, food, and mental stimulation, many animals end up getting sick or going insane.

Some animals spend their whole lives in zoos, suffering until they die of disease, stress, or other causes. But sometimes, enough people step up for a captive animal and they’re offered a second chance at life in a sanctuary or rehabilitation center.

Animal rights organizations, In Defense of Animals and Panda Voices, have been fighting to make that happen for two Giant Pandas at the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee. According to a Change.org petition, the two pandas, YaYa and LeLe, were taken by the Memphis Zoo back in 2003 as young cubs.

The little bears had whole lives ahead of them, full of potential and joy, but the Memphis Zoo offered them little more than disease and suffering. The Change.org petition notes that the pandas’ conditions deteriorated over time and their fur loss and mental issues are visible. The Beijing Zoo even confirmed, “that as early as 2014, YaYa has parasite infections that are causing her skin disease.”

Despite that, the Memphis Zoo continued to claim the pandas are healthy, happy, and having their needs met. In a Facebook post, the zoo wrote, “We want her fans to know Ya Ya is in very good health and, like all of our animals, she is observed very closely by our animal care and veterinary teams on a daily basis.”

People didn’t buy the zoo’s attempt to cover up negligence, and thousands of people have been in Support of the campaign to free YaYa and LeLe and have them sent to an appropriate home in China.

Billie Eilish even got in on the action and retweeted a post from In Defense of Animals calling for the public to urge the Memphis Zoo to return YaYa and Lele to China for quality care and life.

Eilish is known for being a voice for the voiceless and even won PETA’s Person of the Year Award.

In Defense Of Animals later tweeted to thank Billie for joining their campaign:

In a statement to World Animal News, Fleur Daws, the Communications Director for In Defense of Animals, said, “We are thrilled that Billie Eilish has joined our campaign to free YaYa and LeLe from horrendous suffering at Memphis Zoo. Anyone can see that these pandas are in crisis and in urgent need of rescue. We hope Billie’s call on Memphis Zoo CEO Jim Dean will encourage him to stop the torture of YaYa and LeLe and send them back to China. These pandas deserve to have suitable food and medical care, and retire to a life that resembles the wild as closely as possible.”

Animals are not here for our entertainment. It’s time to send them to suitable homes and put an end to zoos once and for all.

Sign this petition to demand an end to zoos.

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