February 7, 2001

Woodland Park Zoo would like to issue the following statement in response to statements made by an animal rights organization this morning:

SEATTLE - At a local press conference today, an animal rights organization made allegations about Woodland Park Zoo's (WPZ) female Asian elephant, Chai (rhymes with "shy"). An alleged incident was said to have occurred more than two years ago while Chai was on a breeding loan at Dickerson Park Zoo (DPZ) in Springfield, Missouri.

In 1998, after six years of unsuccessful artificial insemination attempts on Chai, WPZ sent her to DPZ under the American Zoo and Aquarium Association Asian Elephant Species Survival Plan (SSP). The SSP recommended DPZ's bull elephant, Onyx, as Chai's intended mate. One year later, Chai returned to Woodland Park Zoo in perfect health and in the second trimester of her 22-month pregnancy. On November 3, 2000, Chai delivered a healthy 235-pound calf. The significant birth of this calf has garnered substantial local, regional and national press coverage and, consequently, increased interest from people throughout the world.

Whenever the welfare of any animal in North America is investigated, we are genuinely concerned. In this instance, the source alleges that the well-being of one of our own animals was in question more than two years ago. Humane treatment of all our animals is of utmost priority to our zoo and is part of the Code of Ethics of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, our accrediting organization.

WPZ was fully apprised of the incident when it occurred and would have given anyone full cooperation to explore the allegations. Our institution's policy has always been to maintain an open and honest relationship with the community and the media, and we will continue to do so by openly addressing the complex issues of elephant management and clarifying any misunderstandings.

The incident in question occurred on Chai's third day at DPZ during a routine introduction session to DPZ's lead elephant keeper. She threatened his life by knocking him to the ground and, moments later, attempting to butt him using the full force of her head. Just the impact of this blow could have proven fatal to the keeper. In response to Chai's aggression, an appropriate measured response was given. A WPZ elephant keeper, who accompanied Chai to Missouri, was present and consulted. Another session followed in which other keepers guided the elephant through her known routine of behavior. Chai did not show any further aggressive behavior and was duly rewarded with food treats and vocal praise.

Chai's negative behavior toward the unfamiliar keeper is reflective of elephant herd dynamics. These exceptionally powerful and intelligent animals live in highly social groups characterized by a dominance hierarchy that is often maintained by physical force. In zoos and in the wild, elephants literally kick, crowd and push each other around with their feet, heads and tusks. In order to work safely with a dangerous animal as much as 50 times their size, it is incumbent on keepers to establish a relationship to meet both the animal's physical and psychological needs, including optimal routine and consistent care. According to Bureau of Labor statistics, elephant keepers face an on-the-job fatality rate that is 68 times greater than a typical worker.

After this single incident, Chai acclimated to her new surroundings and remained consistently tractable. Both keeper safety and the elephant's welfare were maintained. As a result, she socialized regularly with several elephants and she mated with the intended bull. The outcome: a successful breeding effort between Chai and Onyx, Chai's return to WPZ in excellent physical and mental condition, a problem-free prenatal program for Chai, the birth of Woodland Park Zoo's first-ever elephant, and a thriving bond and relationship between first-time mother Chai and her calf.

Half of North America's zoos practice free contact management. This method places the keepers in immediate contact with a dangerous animal as they enter the exhibit and move freely among the herd. Protected contact, an alternative management system, always separates keepers and elephants by a protective barrier, such as a metal screen or a restraint chute device that confines the animal for health care and medical procedures.

Given the current trend among zoos to move toward protected contact, our zoo took the first step three years ago by installing a $300,000 elephant restraint chute device in our elephant barn. The recent birth of our calf has dramatically changed the social dynamics among the herd. This has prompted us to evaluate our management system in order to successfully socialize the calf with the entire herd and ensure routine care, while minimizing risk to the keepers. Therefore, we are in the process of working with consultants and are planning to complete this very complicated move toward protected contact over the next several months, taking into consideration the safety of our keepers, the calf and the rest of our herd.