National Zoo

This letter was hand-delivered to John Berry on Jan. 4, 2006

John Berry
Director National Zoo
Washington D C

January 3, 2006

Dear Mr. Berry

I was scheduled to take part in today's meeting with Suzanne Roy, Dr. Joyce Poole, and Dr. Mel Richardson, but due to personal issues I am unable to attend. However, I want to communicate my message to you.

I became involved in the zoo business when my father, a veterinarian, was appointed to work with the animals at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, in 1957. The first place he went to seek advice was the National Zoo. Along with Dr. Clint Gray, the veterinarian at National Zoo, and a couple of other veterinarians, my father went on to form the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV).

I also went into zoo work, serving as curator at major U.S. zoos, including North Carolina and Los Angeles. I was also very active in the AZA (Co-chair of the WCMC, Species Coordinator for the Chimpanzee, Great Ape TAG Co-Chair, Ethics Board Member, numerous SSP groups, etc.). I am not anti-zoo and I am not interested in getting animals out of zoos - I simply believe that if any institution cannot provide a high quality of life for a species of animal they should not have them!

Interestingly, I have other connections with National Zoo. In 1981 I was instrumental in moving "HAM", the U.S. space program chimpanzee who was living in solitude at the National Zoo, to the North Carolina Zoo where he was successfully socialized with other chimpanzees.

I have much respect for National Zoo and many of the staff. I believe that Bill Xanten, your general curator, is one of the best that I know of in the field of exotic animal husbandry. It was a wise person who brought him out of retirement to reverse the troublesome animal issues at the Zoo!

The discussion today centers around elephant husbandry at National Zoo. I have worked extensively with elephants: I have bought them, sold them, transported them, trained them, was a keeper around them, put on shows and rides with them, designed exhibits for them, beat them, shackled them, imported them, - in short just about anything that you can do to an elephant in captivity. In reality we are truly discussing the state of the industry as it relates to elephant management. It is clear that current traditional elephant management practices have become obsolete, therefore, we must be radically retool management methods using as a basis information that has been obtained through scientific discovery over the last twenty years. So far, this information has not been applied to the way elephants are managed in zoos.

I will not attempt to address the latest behavioral or social information about elephants nor will I attempt to explain the anatomy of the elephant as it relates to their physical demise in captivity. You have both Dr. Joyce Poole and Dr. Mel Richardson there for that information. I will, however, make a plea for you to think outside the traditional zoo box.

You are in a unique position to make a huge impact not only on the elephants currently in your charge but for all captive elephants. I urge you to seriously consider the following:

1. Move Toni and Ambika to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. These elephants have no chance of living any semblance of a quality life no matter what the decision for the new exhibit will be, so they should be sent to the Sanctuary as soon as possible. This decision would demonstrate your sensitivity to the welfare of elephants and also show that the "new" staff at the Zoo is going to be aggressively tending to the needs of the animals rather than industry politics. If there is doubt in your mind about how the animals are kept at the Sanctuary then simply go there and look for yourself. Take your animal staff with you and see how differently the elephants behave there rather than in a traditional zoo setting.
   
   I know that you will be pressured by the zoo industry to stay in the "box" since there is a concern about moving elephants to a sanctuary. However, this concern has more to do with protecting the image of zoos than it does the welfare of elephants. Do not cave in to this pressure! There is a huge public movement to provide better accommodations for elephants and it will not go away, as the industry hopes.
   
   
2. Create a huge elephant preserve at Front Royal. The National Zoo is in a unique position to show that zoos can be progressive and take the lead in caring for earth's largest land mammals. Such a project could become an important center for elephants in this country. You could accept elephants from zoos that do not have the resources that you would have and a true herd could be established rather than the token three to five elephant usually seen in zoos. Natural substrates would help alleviate the foot and leg problems that have come to be accepted in zoos as a necessary evil. Certainly a different type of management protocol would be required in such a facility for it could not be operated as a traditional zoo elephant enclosure. The benefit to the elephants would be worth the effort. Of course, a large complex would be expensive, but constructing a traditional elephant exhibit that will be outdated by the time it opens will be expensive in terms of value for the dollar as well.
   
   There would be a cadre of experienced, dedicated folks to assist you if you are willing to propose such a project. The question of whether you are the right person at the right time to truly make a difference is key here. You can choose to look to the future or accept a larger traditional exhibit at the Zoo. A baby step or a quantum leap for elephant welfare.

Mr. Berry, you were hired by National Zoo to make a difference and now you truly can. No matter how good the staff at the Zoo, they must work with the tools that you provide them. Give them the tools so that the National Zoo can once again shine as the national standard, especially where elephants are concerned.

Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to meeting you as we discuss a new elephant preserve at Front Royal! I wish you the best in this new position and if I can be of assistance to you in your efforts, please contact me!

Sincerely,

Les Schobert
54430 Avenida Martinez
La Quinta, Ca 92253
760-564-6410
lqcasak9@dc.rr.com