I found quite nice website about how North American zoos help elephant conservation: International Elephant Foundation - Asian and African Elephant Conservation
And another story from New York Wildlife Conservation Society, too long to quote: Save Elephants in the Wild Just a reminder that elephants in the wild don't live in paradise, and conservation is not overflowing with cash and efforts.
@Jurek7: those are interesting websites, and it's equally intriguing to note that the New York Wildlife Conservation Society is one of the numerous zoo organizations that has promised to end the notion of keeping elephants in captivity. Once the remaining elephants die out at the Bronx Zoo...that's all folks.
@snowleopard: Three elephants in Bronx should live for about ten years more. Then, perhaps, either zoo will reverse decision or curbe down conservation in situ. But, intriguingly, something will remain anyway. There is elephant sh*t modeled from plastic in Gorilla Rainforest, illustrating importance of seed dispersal. And elephant skeleton laid in African Plains showing poachers kill. Maybe animal rights activists will adopt them as symbols? Employees can repaint both sh*t and skeleton almost forever, educating about elephants. That's all folks!
@Jurek7: the Bronx Zoo has said that once it has one remaining elephant then they'll ship that particular individual to another zoo or sanctuary. They refuse to maintain a solitary elephant, unlike some lesser organizations. Sure they could change their mind, but I would be shocked if they did. Zoos don't need elephants to succeed (Montreal Biodome = one million visitors) and the Bronx needs elephants less than anyone else. They'll receive millions of visitors regardless of whether there is a barren enclosure with a couple of swaying pachyderms in it.
elephant conservation! wow! good work jurek you've been doing you homework. now work out how much money those zoos spend on maintaining elephants, exhibit renovations, feeding costs, keeper costs, heating bills etc and deduct that from whatever those particular zoos contribute to elephant conservation.
