Happy the elephant is far better off where she is
The recent case of Happy the elephant, revolving around animal rights activists’ attempts to get her freed from the Bronx Zoo and put in a sanctuary, was based on preconceived ideas about what she wants, rather than what she needs. Fortunately, the Court of Appeals ruled otherwise. We applaud the decision.
After living in the zoo since 1977, Happy has become an
“institutional elephant,” reminiscent of characters in the “The Shawshank Redemption,” in which Brooks Hatlen, an elderly prisoner who has served 50 years, threatens to kill another inmate so that he can remain in prison. On parole, he contemplates committing a crime so he can go back “home” to prison, and eventually hangs himself. Morgan Freeman’s character, Ellis Boyd Redding, has no interest in escaping; he has also become an “institutional man,” content where he is, and wouldn’t know what to do on the outside.
The Bronx Zoo has been Happy’s home for most of her life. She is isolated because she doesn’t get along with other elephants, but maintained in a naturalistic setting. She is well cared for, healthy and safe.
Activists presume to know what her best interests are. In our view, however, she has become imprinted on the facilities at the zoo. If Happy were removed from the zoo it could negatively impact the quality of her life, her behavior, and even her health. Happy is happy where she is.
We say this as animal-friendly people. Hesper E. Faliveno is a strict vegan and an animal welfare proponent. Gordon G. Gallup Jr. pioneered the mirror self-recognition test that has been misconstrued to support claims for personhood by Happy.
If activists succeed in their effort to remove Happy from the zoo and placed in an elephant sanctuary, Happy would likely become homesick and depressed, as well as suffer abuse from other elephants. In light of Happy’s aggressive behavior toward other elephants, those at the sanctuary may be at risk as well. After 45 years in the Bronx Zoo, she deserves to remain in her pen where she can spend the rest of her life living in the comfort and solitude she is accustomed to.