Calls to expand or abolish zoo exhibit

Re “Death of Gita Renews Calls to Move Elephants to Sanctuary,” June 12

How convenient for L.A. Zoo Director John Lewis to proclaim Gita at 48 as “old.” Asian elephants live into their 70s when not confined to a zoo’s limitations and the hard surfaces with which they are forced to contend. The zoo has refused to hold itself accountable for any of its elephants’ early deaths, and it continues to refuse to move these giants to a sanctuary where their lives would extend far beyond the zoo’s horrific record of shortened lifespans.

DARCY SILVER

Calabasas

*

The mention in this article of animal welfare groups’ objection to keeping massive pachyderms in relatively small, uncomfortable and lifelong enclosures was excellent. Causing creatures to suffer for our momentary amusement seems beneath civilized humans.

CHANTELLE WALLACE

Austin, Texas

*

Gita’s death should not be allowed to disappear into yesterday’s news. I implore people to urge the zoo, the City Council and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to scrap plans to expand our elephant exhibit and release Billy and Ruby to a sanctuary before they too die far short of their natural lifespan.

ERIC PRESCOTT

Los Angeles

*

Send the two remaining elephants, Billy and Ruby, to sanctuaries. Close the elephant exhibit and plant a garden in its place in memory of the elephants that have died there over the years. Through attrition, close each exhibit and plant memory gardens with plaques of past captives.

DEBORAH FAMIGLIETTI

Los Angeles