Elephants Suffer At Roger Williams Park Zoo, Activist Group Says

PROVIDENCE, RI — A Providence zoo is under fire from In Defense of Animals, or IDA, an international animal protection organization for its use of bullhooks on their elephants. In their recent list, "10 Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2018," they ranked Roger Williams Park Zoo at No. 5.

Rhode Island was the first state in the nation to prohibit the use of bullhooks, a two- to three-foot rod with a metal hook at the end. Lawmakers resolved that "use of the bullhook causes pain to elephants," IDA said, when banning their use.

The Roger Williams Park Zoo denies this claim, however. "The use of this tool does not cause injury or distress to our beloved elephants Alice, Ginny and Kate," the zoo's public relations director Diane Nahabedian said in a statement to Patch.

Lawmakers exempted the Roger Williams Park Zoo from this ban. "For the most part, the guide is used as an extension of the keeper’s arm, allowing them to give the elephants tactile cues and to safely reach under and across their bodies," Nahabedian said.

IDA suggests that, instead of using bullhooks, the elephant handlers should use "protected contact," a training method which limits human-to-animal contact and relies on positive reinforcement as opposed to coercion. They say it's more humane and safer for all involved, including the handler.

Here are the worst 10 zoos in terms of elephant treatment, according to IDA:

1. Bronx Zoo, Bronx, New York
2. Natural Bridge Zoo, Rockbridge County, Virginia
3. Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas
4. Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Kentucky
5. Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, Rhode Island
6. Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, Alabama
7. Caldwell Zoo, Tyler, Texas
8. Topeka Zoo, Topeka, Kansas
9. Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, New York
10. Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Below is the Roger Williams Park Zoo statement on bullhooks:

The staff at the Roger Williams Park Zoo view the welfare of all animals with extreme importance. The Zoo has been caring for and working with elephants for over 100 years, consistently developing expertise in the care, and handling of these amazing creatures.

The guide, also known as an ankus or bullhook, is one of many tools we use to help us provide care for our elephants. For the most part, the guide is used as an extension of the keeper’s arm, allowing them to give the elephants tactile cues and to safely reach under and across their bodies. The use of this tool does not cause injury or distress to our beloved elephants Alice, Ginny and Kate.

Combined, our animal keepers have over 50 years of experience working with these elephants and love the animals. Furthermore, the use of guides is always under review, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the Elephant Managers Association approve of the bullhook. Additionally, the Elephant Husbandry Resource Guide, funded by the International Elephant Foundation, approves of the bullhook.

We assure you that we would never do anything to hurt any animal. We hope you will continue to visit Roger Williams Park Zoo. Please never hesitate to ask questions while you are on grounds, and we urge you to seek out our elephant keepers to discuss Alice, Ginny and Kate.

Photo credit: Shutterstock