Tran Sponsors Protection for Elephants

Seeks more humane treatment of kept animals

Susan Laume

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

 There are no elephants living in Fairfax County. In fact, the county has not seen an elephant housed or visiting within its boundaries since 2016 in the days before the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus retired its elephants. So, northern Virginia Delegate Kathy Tran’s 2024 bill to protect elephants may come as a surprise to county residents. Her HB 1531 seeks to prevent cruelty to elephants by banning the use of pain-inflicting training tools, such as bull hooks, which are used to inflict fear or pain in efforts to control the large animals. 

Tran (D-District 18) explains that elephants are not defined in Virginia law as wildlife and so do not come under wildlife law protections. “World-wide care has shifted [for elephants], recognizing their socially complex nature,” Tran

Del. Kathy Tran 

 

said. Four years ago, she and others in the legislature became aware that an elephant at a roadside zoo in Virginia was being kept alone and chained in poor conditions, and used to provide many miles of rides for visitors, often forced to carry weights over posted limits. Efforts to change Virginia’s law then were not successful. As reports of poor treatment at the zoo continued, Tran says she was moved by the plight of Asha, the elephant, to sponsor the bill this year in consideration of Asha’s on-going struggles. Tran says she feels a responsibility to provide protection for animals throughout the Commonwealth.

Animal welfare advocates have long criticized the use of punishment methods used to control elephants. Last year, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums voted to ban elephant keepers from using bull hooks, except in emergencies. Although an elephant’s skin appears tough, it is so sensitive that an elephant can feel the pain of an insect bite and has many sensitive areas on its body where the skin is thin that handlers have exploited. A bull hook is described by the Association as, “an outdated, circus-style training tool that resembles a fireplace poker and is used to inflict pain and punishment on elephants.” It is a heavy weapon with a sharp metal hook.

In December, inspectors from the State Veterinary and Attorney General Animal Law Unit offices seized about 95 exotic and domestic animals from the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County which owns Asha. The animal law unit is the same group which garnered acclaim for their handling of the infamous Michael Vick dog fighting prosecution. Their inspection came after a new employee informant reported the elephant’s long time handler had instructed, “to always jab them where bone is close to flesh. Make it count.” 

In January, a Circuit Court judge upheld the seizure of 56 of the zoo animals. An unconfirmed report indicates Asha may been relocated, possibly before the seizure action, to a private elephant facility on 67 acres in northern Florida. That facility has been home to more than 200 elephants in a habitat similar to their natural environment, taking in many elephant rescues over the years. 

Details about the timing and reason for Asha’s move could not be confirmed. When contacted, the State Attorney General’s Office would not comment “due to pending litigation with the Natural Bridge Zoo.” Should Asha return, or future circus animals visit, they would be protected from use of negative handling methods under Tran’s bill.

Only California and Rhode Island now have bull hook restrictions. Tran’s bill, which has passed out of subcommittee, will likely be heard by the full House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources committee on Feb. 7.