Arizona (Tucson): Reid Park Zoo

The event went well. We had a table and distributed flyers, which were well-received by the public. We also had the posters for viewing. There was a lot of interest from zoo personnel about what we were handing out. Channel 4 News came and documented the event.

California: Los Angeles Zoo

Los Angeles reported one of its largest demonstrations and educational events ever, with more than 50 compassionate people gathered (along with a few four-legged companions) at the L.A. Zoo on Saturday to educate the public about the plight of elephants in zoos, and to urge zoo customers to help Billy, the male elephant who lives in solitary confinement at the zoo. Activists spread out in a wide arc in front of the zoo, holding signs, a colorful banner, and handing out leaflets urging zoo customers to join in the campaign to send Billy to a sanctuary.

One of the most compelling images was of a long row of activists holding 13 black-and-white posters naming each elephant who has died at the LA Zoo. Media covered the event, helping spread the word that it's wrong to keep elephants in zoos, which lack the space and natural conditions the earth's largest land mammals need to thrive.

California: San Diego Zoo

Eleven of us showed up for demo and we all agreed we did make an impact. Even though it was raining when we first arrived, people were still coming to the Zoo. I think we passed out all 500 flyers within twenty minutes, as people were entering the Zoo BEFORE we held up banners and posters.

Overall we were well received by the public, we could hear many sad "Ahh the poor elephants' when they looked at the flyers. One family even contemplated for quite a few minutes NOT going into the Zoo, but I turned away to talk to someone and didn't notice if they eventually went inside or not. We constantly repeated "Please go to HelpElephants.com when you get home to learn more about how elephants suffer in zoos, and to find out how you can help/get involved."

California (Vallejo): Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

IDA, Citizens for Cruelty Free Entertainment, Army of Compassion, Farm Animal Protection Project and other local activists turned out in droves to protest the keeping of six elephants in an AZA-accredited amusement park. More than 30 protesters showed up to hold banners, signs and pass out leaflets in every key location at the front entrance. Approximately 1,000 flyers were handed out as Six Flags staff looked on, unable to stop our peaceful, yet effective educational outreach efforts. The San Francisco Chronicle called the day before the event and Channel 7 came out to videotape the action.

Meanwhile, inside the noisy park full of roller coasters and screaming children, six elephants (both African and Asians mixed) continue to lead a miserable existence. They are provided a tiny dirt pen to live when they are confined inside the barn, or sectioned off in even smaller parcels of compacted dirt or cement to stand on. Some elephants don't do anything except to seemingly exist there, while others are forced to give rides and/or perform in the circus act. Tava, an African elephant, was forced to do the circus act this day. The other elephants just stood by in their dirt pen, though one Asian elephant kept bobbing her head while standing. For more information, please visit: http://www.helpelephants.com/six_flags.html

District of Columbia: National Zoo

Our event was cut short by thunderstorms - we got caught in a torrential downpour! Nevertheless, we had seven people handing out leaflets for an hour. Due to the weather, traffic going to the zoo was light, but we did receive several positive responses from people and comments from visitors that indicated there is a growing public awareness about the elephant controversy.

Our two young activists, Amelia and her friend Cecilia, both age almost-12, were very successful in handing out leaflets and it was very empowering for them to feel like they could do something to stop the abuse of elephants. One young man (early 20's) took a leaflet from them, read it and came back about half an hour later and said, "You know, you're right - it's horrible and cruel. I saw them hooking the elephants. That's animal abuse." Amelia said, "that's why we're here," and the visitor said "Thank you for doing what you're doing." Amelia and Ceci are now creating a chain mail with a petition to sign to circulate to their friends.

Florida (Sanford): Central Florida Zoo

Good activist turnout. We handed out flyers and a whole family who got the flyer going in came out and said ' we're not going in after reading this, thank you' AND THEY LEFT giving thumbs up! Before the event, we got a letter published in the local newspaper.

Florida (Tampa): Lowry Park Zoo

We scheduled our demo for 11 am - 1 pm, though we wrapped up at 12:45 as there was no shade and 110 with the heat index - the dizzies kicked in quick.

MANY thumbs up from passers by! One man at the red light asked if we'd like some water, and though we thankfully declined, he pulled over and brought us some anyway! He inquired about what we were doing and asked if he could join us!

He held a sign with us for a while, asking us how to get involved with animal related issues so he signed up to join our group!

Two security guards on a golf cart approached us asking our opinions on the issue, as they like to hear all sides. We explained that the needs of an elephant can't be adequately met in captivity, and that confinement under the guise of conservation is immoral, especially since individuals are taken from the wild and no one is returned. Further, we asked that they put themselves in the shoes of those in cages - would you accept losing your freedom, friends and loved ones if a stronger force insisted it was for your own good? They humbly agreed and thanked us for our time. Oh, before they left, they, too, offered us some water :)

We would definitely like to do these regularly. Here's hoping we can cultivate a crew!

Florida: Miami Zoo

Our protest went well. The majority of people going to the zoo took our flyers and many showed interest. We probably will do another demonstration, because I know that it is important to keep the momentum going and make people realize of the importance of giving freedom to the elephants.

Georgia: Atlanta Zoo

In Atlanta we had 16 people show up. All and all I think it was a successful event. We handed out nearly all of our flyers in three hours.

Illinois (Chicago): Brookfield Zoo

We had a very good turn out of about 25 people. Two reporters from the local paper came out to cover our event.

Massachusetts (New Bedford): Buttonwood Zoo

Had media coverage before the event. Four activists attended the event and we were well received. Of special note, had a 20-minute conversation with a zoo contributor who concluded by saying, "You are right. These are really good points (when referring to the flyer). I will bring them up."

Missouri: St Louis Zoo

Members of Clara's Voice and St. Louis Animal Rights Team stood with advocates around the world to speak for the eight elephants suffering on 1.5 acres at the St. Louis Zoo. Despite the 100+ degrees heat, we stood outside the zoo for two hours. The public was shocked that so many elephants were housed on such a small amount of space. We distributed several hundred flyers and got a positive response and concern for the elephants. KMOX radio came to the event and conducted an interview. We remembered Clara, the elephant who suffered for 50 years before being euthanized in 2007, and baby Jade, rejected by her too-young mother. We will not stop until we free the St. Louis 8!

New Mexico (Albuquerque): Rio Grande Zoo

We set up a table where we passed out flyers and displayed posters for about three hours. We had a good response, even from the zoo police who spoke positively about our cause. We also spoke to many young zoo staff. They totally believed that the animals in general were very unhappy. When approaching the public, I asked people to call their congressperson and express their concerns about the elephants. They seemed for the most part enthused.

New York: Bronx Zoo

Despite the threat of rain all morning, ten people attended our event. Our last hour was in increasingly strong drizzle. Days of weather reports warning of rain kept zoo attendance small, but we did lots of outreach to the public in their cars as they drove by or disembarked just outside the entrance. At least half the people accepted our leaflets. We also got some positive acknowledgement -honks and waves and only one negative reaction. We handed literature to approximately 25 zoo employees who came and went through our entrance. Most were receptive and polite. I am very glad that we successful in our mission of a peaceful demonstration!

Ohio: Cleveland Zoo

Turnout was limited because of the rain. The reactions of many folks to our presence has made me even more determined to help elephants and other animals in the zoo One visitor pointed out to us that a tiger was held in a small enclosure and was pacing back and forth This made me realize tat by helping elephants and telling people that zoos are NOT conservation centers, we automatically help all the animals in the zoo.

Oregon (Portland): Oregon Zoo

A very strong turnout for the zoo protest and great media coverage. Our message about the zoo's abusive treatment of elephants through use of the bullhook is getting out!

Later that day we had an amazing Elephant Campaign fundraising party hosted by Jane Bicquette and her husband John. Everything was done beautifully -- with musicians, a catered dinner from Pappa G's, a local vegan restaurant, with three staff serving, a 'tower' of vegan cupcakes all iced with elephants on them from Sweet Pea vegan bakery, games for the kids, a very cool display with IDA literature and an interactive elephant quiz. It was quite the evening!

Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Zoo

Seven people showed up for our ongoing weekly demos. It was raining for most of the demo. This photo is of Kallie and Bette taken during the demo: they are why we were out there.

Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh Zoo

We held up signs which read " Zoo Elephants Suffer". The public gave us some thumbs up. Every car going to the zoo had to pass by and everyone slowed down to read the signs. We also had traffic pass us on another road, so we got two for one. We had an employee spying on us the entire time. We suspect she parked herself in a restaurant down the road where she could see us. We did create a stir.

The weather forecast was for rain and we did get caught in a downpour which left us drenched.

A reporter from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review came by and took our names.

South Carolina: Greenville Zoo

We had 16 participants, which was a good turnout given the oppressive heat. We feel like we reached a few people - especially the children who stopped and asked questions.

This is a picture of Joni and Ladybird who are stuck in the zoo's tiny stone and concrete exhibit.

Texas: Dallas Zoo

A group of 40 dedicated elephant advocates came to the Dallas Zoo to demonstrate their concern for the plight of urban zoo elephants on a hot breezy summer day. A local animal welfare group, Animal Connection of Texas, partnered with the IDA and created a local flyer, amazing signs and brought water and sunscreen for participants. Lots of flyers were accepted by receptive zoo patrons. And the police assigned to our event could not have been nicer! We were all proud to be part of the 1st International Day of Elephants in Zoos.

Texas: San Antonio Zoo

Voice for Animals, Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force and Action for Animals combined forces to present their most successful demonstration and outreach event ever, with more than 45 concerned people of all ages attending. The event was colorful, with the "Freedom Elephant" (an activist dressed in an elephant costume) greeting zoo customers and urging them to help send the lone elephant at San Antonio Zoo, Lucky, to a sanctuary, and with activists adorned in pink "Free Lucky" t-shirts. A highlight of the event was a bit of street theater: An activist wearing a mask bearing the face of San Antonio Zoo director Steve McCusker (who has arrogantly dismissed San Antonio citizens' concerns about Lucky) sat in a tiny cage, to eventually be released by the Freedom Elephant -- showing far more compassion than the zoo director! Activists educated hundreds of people about Lucky's plight and collected 300 signatures in support of sending her to a sanctuary. Media covered the exciting event.

Utah (Salt Lake City): Hogle Park Zoo

Unfortunately, our event got rained out - I was the only one there (probably because of the down-pouring rain!). I began passing out flyers to people at 10:30 a.m. and ended up leaving at 12:45. However, I did pass out A LOT of flyers and I feel like I made a difference.

Washington (Seattle): Woodland Park Zoo

We had a gorgeous, sunny day in Seattle. The Zoo was actually quite slow and our 28 people were quite a presence for the people who straggled in. Less than a mile away the crowds were at the Solstice Parade. At the zoo we gave out a couple hundred of IDA's "Elephant in Zoos" Truth Revealed" brochures. For the Solstice Parade we used our own postcard and gave out about 500 of them. As we expected the Solstice crowd was VERY receptive to us. The Ballard News Tribune covered our event.

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS

Canada: Toronto Zoo

Activists braved the rain at Toronto Zoo but still handed out several hundred flyers. They report that most zoo patrons were very receptive to receiving the information. The event garnered BIG TIME media coverage -- most newspapers papers and television stations ran the story, even on the national level. The recent death of Tessa the elephant at Toronto Zoo heightened attention to the issue.

The activists report a heavy presence of zoo security -- 4 zoo SUV's plus 2 metro police cars! Zoo officials were quick to inform us that if we stepped onto zoo property we would be arrested. So we got as close as they could and held a successful and peaceful event.

Canada (Edmonton): Valley Zoo

Over a dozen supporters of Voice for Animals and Friends of Lucy were in attendance. The Edmonton Sun came and interviewed Tove Reece of Voice for Animals.

The public's response was overwhelmingly positive. We had a few honks of encouragement from passing cars, and a number of people approached us to give us positive feedback, and to accept literature and/or sign the paper petition being run by Friends of Lucy.

Please take time to watch this video about the protest and the Free Lucy campaign.

France (Paris): Musee D'Orsay

Mexico

Spain: Zoo de Barcelona

Libera Susi was the rallying cry of Spanish activists who gathered to observe the International Day of Action for Elephants in Zoos with a protest at the Barcelona Zoo. The efforts of animal protection groups Libera and the Foundation for the Adoption, Sponsorship and Defense of Animals (FAADA) have brought the plight of Susi, the Barcelona Zoo's sad, lone elephant to international attention. Even Nobel prize-winning Portuguese novelist José Saramago and Sofia, Queen of Spain, have loaned their voices to the calls for Susi's freedom. For more information see www.liberasusi.org.