FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
May 21, 2025
**MEDIA STATEMENT**
COUNCILMEMBER BLUMENFIELD CONDEMNS THE SECRET MOVE OF ELEPHANTS BILLY AND TINA
LOS ANGELES, CA- Following the LA Zoo’s announcement that elephants Billy and Tina arrived at the Tulsa Zoo, apparently moved in the middle of the night without notice, Councilmember Bob Blumenfield offers this statement.
"The last 24 hours have been a sad reflection on the government of Los Angeles. Just last week the Zoo director said in public that the move was not imminent, then we found out through the news media that the elephants were taken in the middle of the night. I’m not only disappointed and frustrated by the move, I am equally disappointed and frustrated by the lack of transparency and unwillingness to vet this decision publicly as I requested.
“For 30 years, Angelenos have shared heartfelt concern for these elephants, and recently lawsuits were filed on their behalf. Angelenos are deeply invested in their well being and the public deserved a transparent process considering all options before a decision was made. How do we trust that all options were truly evaluated, without any evidence of any analysis? The disregard for the public’s concern is patronizing and disrespectful to the thousands of Angelenos who have been calling for a viable sanctuary alternative.
“Advocacy groups were prepared to fund Billy and Tina’s transfer to a sanctuary so they could finally retire from captivity. Sanctuaries would give Billy and Tina thousands of acres with top notch medical care at no expense to the City. The LA Zoo chose to send them to a place where they have a few acres with more captive elephants in limited space.
“While it may be in the AZA’s best interest, we shouldn’t pretend that the AZA’s interest is the same as an elephant’s or in the best interest of the City of Los Angeles.
“When you are proud of your actions and secure in the righteousness of those actions you don’t move in the shadow of the night and you don’t hide from public scrutiny.”
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