There's been a flurry of news about the Indian government's recent ruling that zoo and circus elephants will be moved to forest camps. Click here for the article.
Here's an interesting op-ed piece that addresses the concerns I had about how well thought out this was and why temple elephants were excluded, given that they live under worse conditions that zoo elephants (chained more hours, less contact with other elephants). Click here.
The circumstances for elephants in Indian zoos vary, but I believe it is safe to say that elephants in US zoos are far better off. Elephant management is receiving a lot of attention lately, with efforts toward providing them with more exercise and stimulation.
Oh, and the elephant researcher cited is Varma Surendra, not Verma. He was my roommate at the zoo keeper conference in Seattle recently, a charming fellow very committed to elephant well-being, both in captivity and in the wild.
Did Not Survive, the second in my zoo mystery series, explores issues around elephant management. Expect it in August 2010.
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5 comments:
Ann,
I'm interested in the point you raise about elephants living in temple compounds being omitted from this new plan. The link to the op-ed piece you mention isn't appearing for me---the Times of India url leads to a different, general, article.
It's been good to see the concern & progress in US zoos about improving elephant care & housing, over the past 20 years or so.
I looked for the article and couldn't find it either. But if you go to http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
and search on elephants, you will find the most fascinating articles on the difficulties that humans and elephants cause each other. India is a whole different world when it comes to elephants! As for US zoos, yes, lots of concern. My next mystery (you knew that was coming, right?), Did Not Survive, weaves in some of the issues. Due out in August. Thanks for your comment!
That sounds like an interesting background for a mystery story.
Thanks for visiting! I looked up your blog and enjoyed the post on Plot versus Character. Well put!
Thank you, Ann. My blog veers between attempts to discuss serious issues in writing, and silly shouts of excitement when something fun happens, like selling a copy of my book to a dalek. I've posted about that on the Curzon Group blog on 15th December. I hope you come over and take a look soon.
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