Well I think zoos should do both. I don’t think every zoo has to have elephants. But I think if the zoo does have elephants and choose to have elephants, then they should give ’em the largest holding area that they can and that they should participate in a national or international breeding program and actively try to increase the captive herd, participate in any research programs, give them the best they have. And these elephants are ambassadors for those that are in wild. Those that are wild or gravely in peril with the value of the tusks being what it is, both the African and Asian elephants are constantly being harassed. The future is really questionable. So therefore, I think elephants in captivity play a role in bringing this to the public’s attention and has a positive influence hopefully on their survival in the wild. So I think in spite of the cost of maintaining it, I think it’s a worthwhile endeavor if the zoo can afford it.
