Banner protesting treatment of zoo’s elephants hitting Seattle skies | Urban Wildlife

Two local groups crusading for the release of the Woodland Park Zoo’s elephants will be receiving a little air support in their fight tomorrow when an airplane trailing a banner reading, “Zoo elephants suffer,” will take to the Seattle skies.

Alyne Fortgang, of Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants, said the aerial message –flying above the zoo and I-5 during rush-hour traffic – will help the group reach tens of thousands of eyes.

Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants and Sound Animal Rights Alliance have been advocating for the release of the elephants to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, claiming the small space of captivity at the zoo is causing the animals physical and mental ailments.

According to the groups, the elephants are suffering from crippling arthritis and chronic foot infections, as well as other conditions, which could lead to premature death.

The public needs to be aware of this, Fortgang said.

“Looking at elephants for our entertainment is harmful for them, and it diminishes our humanity,” she said.

The Woodland Park Zoo has steadfastly said its elephants are humanely treated and healthy.

The banner will be airborne from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. July 15. It will coincide with a Friends of Woodland Park Zoo Elephants and Sound Animal Rights Alliance demonstration from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the west entrance of the zoo.