The following videos are of selected portions of the City of Toronto's Executive Committee Meeting (5-Nov-2012), regarding Item EX24.30 Elephant Transfer Status Update.
To auto-play all videos in order, view playlist. Or click a video below to play that particular video.
Selected Deputations:
Councillors' Questions to Staff:
Councillors' Speeches and Motions:
See also:
Famed activist and wildlife biologist Sybelle Foxcroft endorses the Toronto Zoo in their concerns about bio-security and tuberculosis (TB) issues at PAWS.
Ms. Foxcroft was provided with all the supporting scientific evidence and background research on the matter of the Toronto Zoo elephants. After reviewing a mountain of information, she graciously offered her support in a letter which has been forwarded to Toronto City Council et al.
In her letter, she writes ...
I have had the opportunity to revue all scientific documentation relating to the transfer of Iringa, Thika and Toka, and I agree, without doubt, that Toronto Zoo has solid ground, backed by science, to stop the transfer of their three female African Elephants.
Further in her letter, she writes ...
I personally find that Toronto Zoo is acting in a most highly professional manner and abiding by all disease prevention protocols, along with doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of their precious elephants.
It would be an utter tragedy if these elephants were transferred from Toronto Zoo when the crystal clear scientific facts have not been investigated, viewed or given the opportunity to be presented.
In conclusion, she writes ...
These three elephants are currently safe from disease thanks to the years of dedication and professionalism of the Toronto Zoo. Let’s keep it that way and employ all professionalism, and separate that from emotionally charged opinions.
For the complete text of her letter, see: Letter from Sybelle Foxcroft.
Thanks to Sybelle not only for this letter but for her dedication and commitment to animal welfare worldwide. A rational science based voice fighting for animals in crisis.
See also: www.cee4life.org
The Elephant Transfer issue will be discussed by Toronto City Council at the next City Council meeting on November 27th-28th, 2012.
Toronto Zoo's CEO John Tracogna submitted "Elephant Transfer Due Diligence Review (20-Nov-2012)" documents as part of agenda item EX24.30 Elephant Transfer Status Update.
The summary of the review is:
As requested by the Executive Committee, this report provides the results of the Toronto Zoo's Due Diligence Review of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) facility, in relation to the transfer of the Zoo's three African elephants, Toka, Thika and Iringa. Based on the Due Diligence Review, and in the opinion of the Toronto Zoo Senior Veterinarian, the Toronto Zoo CEO concludes that PAWS is not a suitable facility for the three elephants, due to the presence of tuberculosis in the PAWS elephant collection, lack of access to PAWS' current health records, and issues concerning biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease at PAWS. Additionally, there is no workable transportation plan currently in place from PAWS, for the safe and humane transport of the elephants.
As requested by the Executive Committee, Toronto Zoo has looked at some options for the relocation of the elephants. Toronto Zoo has made inquiries with the National Elephant Centre (TNEC), a new facility opening in Florida in early spring 2013. TNEC has offered to house the three Toronto Zoo elephants as per the attached letter. Given the choice between a facility with a potential disease risk and one without, the Toronto Zoo would choose the disease free location. Zoo staff will undertake a full review of TNEC and any other potential options and report to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management on a recommended future home for the three elephants.
The documents that the Toronto Zoo's CEO submitted are:
Elephant Transfer Due Diligence Review (20-Nov-2012), with 3 attachments:
- Due Diligence Review, with 6 sub-attachments:
- PAWS Aerial Site
- USDA Reports for “Rebecca” and “Sabu” and PAWS' other elephants
- Letter from Dr. Michele Miller, DVM, PhD, Veterinary Advisory to the AZA Elephant Advisory Group
- Letter from Dr. Ramiro Isaza, DVM, MS, MPH, DACZM, Associate Professor of Zoological Medicine, University of Florida
- Letter from Dr. Ian Duncan, Professor Emeritus, Emeritus Chair in Animal Welfare, University of Guelph
- Letter from Dr. Dale Smith, DVM, DVSc, Professor, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
- Letter from Mr. John Lehnhardt, Executive Director, The National Elephant Center
- Letter from Mayor Susan Adams, Fellsmere, Florida
The following excerpts appeared in the media:
California sanctuary ‘not suitable’ for Toronto’s elephants, zoo’s CEO says
The California sanctuary slated as the next home for the Toronto Zoo’s three remaining elephants “isn’t suitable” because it has a problem with tuberculosis, says the zoo’s CEO in a report set to go before city council next week.
Toronto Zoo says California sanctuary unsafe for its elephants
“There are several significant concerns that lead the Toronto Zoo to conclude PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) is not an acceptable facility for the Toronto Zoo’s elephants,” a due diligence review, conducted by zoo staff and going before city council next week, says.
The City of Toronto’s Executive Committee met on Monday, November 5th, 2012. On the agenda was item “EX24.30 Elephant Transfer Status Update” to discuss the Toronto Zoo elephants. Over 20 speakers gave deputations. Following deputations, Councillors asked questions to the Toronto Zoo’s CEO John Tracogna. They also asked questions to senior veterinarian Dr. Graham Crawshaw who spoke about the major issues identified in the Elephant Transfer Status. The following newspaper excerpts summarize the meeting.
... A majority of Councillors on the committee, Ford included, approved a motion from Councillor David Shiner ordering the three elephants be moved “as soon as possible” to a facility zoo staff “determine is the best location.”
The committee also requested that the CEO of the Zoo report directly to Council setting out the results of the due diligence review conducted [of] the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) facility. They also asked the CEO attend City Council meetings to answer questions on that review.
Sun News Network (6-Nov-2012):
"(The elephants) should go to the place that our experts think is best," [Councillor Shiner] said. "The last thing we are, are experts about where these animals should go." Zoo staff will be reporting to council directly on the result of the due diligence review of PAWS and answer any questions for Councillors.
Deputy mayor Doug Holyday said council shouldn't have voted to send the elephants to California in the first place. "I couldn't believe what happened that night, that so many people were stampeded in the wrong direction," he said. ...
"There is overwhelming evidence that there is active (tuberculosis) infection at the PAWS sanctuary," [Ian Duncan, Professor Emeritus], said. "In my opinion, it is completely unethical to send animals that are known to be free from TB to a facility where that infection is known to exist." "I'm an expert in animal welfare and tuberculosis reduces welfare," Duncan added.
See the official minutes of the Executive Committee meeting of Monday, November 5th, 2012.