Captive elephants in the U.S. are suffering under a system that claims to protect them, but consistently fails.

In a powerful article published in LA Progressive, author Dee Gaug reveals how the U.S. Department of Agriculture is failing to enforce even the most basic protections promised by the Animal Welfare Act. Repeated violations go unchecked, standards are vague, and enforcement is weak, leaving elephants to languish in unnatural and often cruel conditions.

Voice For The Animals has long fought for the urgent need to protect elephants, particularly those still suffering in the Los Angeles Zoo. We know these are intelligent, emotionally complex beings who deserve far better.

“The USDA has failed to protect elephants, and the LA Zoo is one of the worst examples,” said Melya Kaplan, Executive Director of Voice For The Animals. “Elephants don’t belong in captivity—they belong in the wild. Every day they spend confined is a day we fail them.”

Articles like this one shine a light on the truth—and reinforce our call to action. It’s time for sweeping reform and for the public to demand real accountability for facilities that exploit elephants for entertainment.

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We must continue to fight until every elephant who is currently in captivity is transferred to a sanctuary, and no new elephants are captured from the wild and brought to zoos.