Lonely Elephant In Zoo Has Spent Over 11 Years In A Glass Cage Without Friends: Animal Imprisonment Must End

Apr 12, 2019 by apost team

The world is packed with animals both in the wild and in captivity. Luckily, there is also a myriad of animal lovers on earth as well. There are too many zoos spread throughout the globe to count, and most people enjoy visiting them and studying the animals that reside there. Sadly however, many of the animals kept at zoos are treated more like prisoners than guests.

Lucy the elephant is one such animal. Held for 11 years at the Edmonton Zoo in Canada, Lucy was stripped from her natural habitat and her herd when she was just a calf. In 1977, she was captured in the wild and forced to live in a tiny glass box with only one tire to play with and painted leaves on the walls for company.

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Fighting against her instinct to run and roam, she was forced to stand and watch as droves of onlookers gawked at her. She went 12 entire years before even seeing another of her own kind. By nature, elephants are extremely social animals, usually traveling for miles and miles with at least 10 related elephants and their babies.

The more humane zoos pair the elephants up so they at least have companionship, however, many just keep one elephant confined in solitary. Elephants become bored and depressed in these tiny enclosures and often experience various health issues as well.

As a result of her living conditions, Lucy developed complications with her feet, chronic arthritis, obesity, depression, and a respiratory condition.

After suffering over a decade in isolation, the zoo added an African elephant, Samantha, to their collection in 1989. Lucy and the new pachyderm instantly connected and spent the next 18 years as close companions, virtually inseparable.

In 2007, the zoo shipped Samantha away to fulfill a breeding contract and Lucy has been alone again ever since.

The zoo claims that the two did not get along; however, there is evidence that proves otherwise. A myriad of photographs reveal Lucy and Samantha spending time together, playing, and even locking trunks.

It was a devastation to Lucy when, after being alone for 11 years and then bonding with Samantha, she was just stripped away from her.

Despite the proof, the zoo maintains that Lucy did not like Samantha. Currently, efforts are being made to help Lucy. LEAP is advocating for her transfer to a more humane sanctuary where she would be happy, healthy, and not alone.

Animal cruelty and abuse exists much more than we like to think about. In many circuses, the animals are mistreated and even painfully tortured behind the scenes. Many zoos force their animals to live in unnatural, unhealthy, and even painful conditions.

Animal abuse needs to stop, and there is a multitude of groups and organizations working diligently to put an end to it all over the world.

Hopefully Lucy will be helped soon and relieved of her torture. It would be ideal if she could live the remaining years of her life with others of her own kind and in an environment where she could roam.

Unfortunately, many animals in her situation do not even get noticed, never mind helped.

Watch Lucy's story in the video below:

If you witness animal abuse, please report it to the proper authorities. Other ways you can help in the effort to stop animal abuse are to join one or more of the many organizations devoted to assisting animals, join protests, write letters, speak out, and spread awareness.

Please feel free to pass Lucy’s story along to your fellow animal loving friends and family members!