That hard service was her life, and not freedom, carries for me a commitment to others who yet suffer. That we could not help her before her eyes would shut forever fosters a renewed courage, and bears a responsibility for us to find safe refuges for all of the captive Giants born under the yoke of Man. What we wished for Tikiri, even a few days of freedom with love and care, we will demand for others. . . .

Although Onoda’s story is an extraordinary example of loyalty, as said by Manson; it is too an example of how we humans often dedicate large proportions of our lives to seemingly useless or destructive causes. Tucson News Now. “Reid Park Zoo Elephants Are Leaving Town Today.” February 29, 2012. http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/17045569/reid-park-zoo-elephants-are-leaving-town-wednesday.The US Military and Japanese Government dropped leaflets throughout the jungle to let any remaining soldiers know that the war was over, but Onoda didn’t believe them – he thought that they were propaganda, and so burnt them and continued to fight. He does not bear any ill will to his former employer, only gratitude to his new one. He knows the name and age of every elephant in the herd and loves sharing his knowledge with visitors, even if they remain rare for now. Elephant ownership has long been a symbol of prestige and status among Sri Lanka’s wealthy, and a traditional feature of religious ceremonies in this predominantly Buddhist country. Although it is illegal to own elephants without a government permit, at least 40 elephants have been abducted from the island’s national parks in the last decade, according to the Sri Lankan authorities.** While a 2011 census report showed an increase in Sri Lanka’s elephant population, wildlife conservationists remain concerned that deforestation due to urbanization, the use of wild animals as gifts for VIPs, and ownership of elephants as a status symbol could harm the island’s population of wild elephants.

Haas says all of these problems were created by demand from tourists for elephant rides: “That one ride, that one selfie, it means a life sentence for these animals and now that Covid has hit it’s even worse because no more money is coming in and some elephants are starving.” Three of BEC’s 14 elephants were adopted by an unidentified zoo on the neighbouring island of Java. You’re smart and curious about the world. So are The Conversation’s authors and editors. You can get our highlights each weekend.] Faust, L., S. D. Thompson, and J. M. Earnhardt. “Is Reversing the Decline of Asian Elephants in North American Zoos Possible? An Individual-Based Modeling Approach.” Zoo Biology 25 (2006): 201–18. Hutchins, M., B. Smith, and M. Keele. “Zoos as Responsible Stewards of Elephants.” In Elephants and Ethics: Toward a Morality of Coexistence, edited by C. Wemmer and C. A. Christen, 285–305. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.Sri Lankan Elephant expert Jayantha Jayewardene confirmed that Tikiri had been mistreated: “Tikiri was severely undernourished,” he said. “It is a wonder that she lived this long.” (NDTV)

Independent (London). “Peter Singer: You Ask the Questions.” September 11, 2006. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/peter-singer-you-ask-the-questions-415524.html. Beers, D. For the Prevention of Cruelty: The History and Legacy of Animal Rights Activism in the United States. Athens: Swallow Press/Ohio University Press, 2006. There are no known ethical Sanctuaries in Bali,” says Bali Elephant Paradise Hell, an advocacy group created by tourists who did not like what they say at the islands’ elephant camps. “The elephants are often kept chained for prolonged periods of time when not performing hideous shows or used for rides, living in fear of being stabbed with bullhooks and denied what is natural and important to them.”The birth of three baby elephants over the past 15 years suggests BEC was not only meeting but exceeding its animal welfare requirements. They continuously dive, for long periods of time - 20 minutes on average and about 100 minutes at maximum - and deep - 500 meters (1,640 feet) on average and about 1,500 meters (4,920 feet) at maximum - with only a few minutes breathing at the surface," Adachi said. Mason, G. J., and J. S. Veasey. “How Should the Psychological Well-Being of Zoo Elephants Be Objectively Investigated?” Zoo Biology 29 (2008): 237–55. Poole, J. H., and C. J. Moss. “Elephant Sociality and Complexity.” In Elephants and Ethics: Toward a Morality of Coexistence, edited by C. Wemmer and C. A. Christen, 69–98. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008.