The Plight of an Elephant Named Jenny
As an animal lover I have spent many a day thinking about the plight of the Elephants at the Dallas Zoo near my home. If you did not know, a few years ago an elephant died at the zoo leaving her companion Jenny all alone.
Jenny began to get sad and would not eat properly. She was depressed to say the least. Elephants are very social creatures. They thrive in family units, and these huge amazing animals require lots of living space. The space at the Dallas Zoo was small and cramped for one elephant but they did not have just one elephant living on less than one acre of land they had two. All I could do is wonder, If this is happening here in Dallas, what is happening in zoos all across America and how can we fix this?
After the first elephant died, lonesome Jenny was thrust into the media spotlight. The local news was a buzz at the loss of such a majestic creature so much so that it was brought to the attention of many including famous actress Lilly Tomlin who tried to get Jenny sent to a sanctuary in Tennessee. The city of Dallas was also contemplating sending Jenny to a sanctuary in Mexico.
32 year old Jenny the elephant was living alone and in misery. Fans of Jenny including me were in an uproar. What would a zoo be with out an elephant? Boring that's what. If Jenny was gone, how would I teach my children about the letter E, or about the largest land mammal in the world? There is only so much a picture book can do for a child. To be able to see and experience elephants up close is the ultimate teaching tool.
After months of debate the City of Dallas decided that they would not get rid of the elephant exhibit but rather enlarge it. They soon purchased a large piece of land next to their already existing "Wilds of Africa" exhibits. Today this piece of land has been renovated and recently opened to the public showcasing the amazing Giants of the Savannah exhibit. This exhibit will surely knock your socks off.
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