This is a letter I received as a Brookfield Zoo memeber.  Shan and I go to the zoo at least 4 times a month in the warm season, sometimes more.  I believe strongly in the Brookfield Zoo's committment to conservation and care for wild animals.  Please read this letter as it is extremely informative and I feel it is important to know the truth about the death of Affie the zoo's oldest African elephant.

Lots of extreme animal advocates are encouraging zoo's to do away with their elephant programs without considering the consequences.  Please consider this information . . .

Dear Brookfield Zoo Supporter:

As you probably know, Brookfield Zoo recently lost our beloved friend:
Affie, the 40-year-old African elephant. Chicago Zoological Society
(CZS) officials have worked for years to keep Affie comfortable as she
aged, including creating a sand pile she could lean on indoors and
adding a specialized floor several months ago. Geriatric care is an
increasing emphasis of CZS because animals, on average, are living
longer in the care of zoos.

Affie was the sixth oldest female African elephant in North American
zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
According to a 2004 scientific study conducted by Robert J. Wiese,
Ph.D., and Kevin Willis, the average life expectancy for female African
elephants in North American zoos is 33 years. The report further states
that this life expectancy value is similar to the life expectancy of
wild elephants.

Christy, our 29-year-old African elephant, survives her constant and
close companion Affie. Zoo staff are committed to caring for Christy
during this difficult time. Staff are concentrating on Christy's
well-being by spending extra time with her and continuing her training
routines. Our keeper and veterinary staff are monitoring her closely.
Currently, we are in communication with the AZA's African Elephant
Species Survival Plan coordinator to find companionship for Christy as
soon as possible.

As you know, animals are our passion at Brookfield Zoo, so it is with
deep appreciation that we thank the public for its outpouring of
sympathy and support as we mourn the death of Affie. She was one of our
most beloved animals and touched the lives of more than 30 million
visitors here at the zoo.

Thank you for your continued support, and we need you now.
Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, we have also begun to hear from
animal extremist groups that seize every opportunity to use false and
distorted information in their attempt to denigrate any zoo that has
suffered the death of a charismatic animal. In cities around the
country, these groups organize public campaigns against zoos and demand
that we eliminate our elephant programs. At the same time, they do not
spend any money on caring for animals or supporting conservation
programs to protect animals in the wild, where in the case of
elephants, more than 100 die every day due to poaching and human
conflict.

In Defense of Animals (IDA) issued a press release Tuesday, May 19,
asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate Affie's
death. As standard procedure, we had already contacted the USDA
immediately following Affie's death on Friday, May 15. IDA is asking
Brookfield Zoo to close our elephant exhibit and to send Christy to a
sanctuary that is not AZA-accredited and where there is no full-time
veterinary care. We would never allow any of our elephants, including
Christy, to be sent to an unaccredited facility, especially one without
medical care.

Nobody cares as deeply for elephants as our zookeepers, veterinarians,
animal curators, and other staff working in accredited zoos. Our
keepers are mourning Affie's death, but are also looking toward the
future of Brookfield Zoo's elephant program. Our commitment to
elephants is strong, and our plans are to not only continue, but to
expand our elephant program

Why are we willing to endure these relentless attacks by these special
interest groups focused on getting all elephants out of zoos? Because
the Chicago Zoological Society also is committed to the long-term
future of endangered species, and we know a key to success is helping
to inspire the public to learn about and care for wildlife.

The strongest emotional connection with elephants comes from up-close
experiences, and this is what zoos provide. When people learn about
elephants, they discover that their actions do matter. For instance,
zoos helped educate the public to not buy ivory, which has had a
positive influence on wild elephant conservation, and Brookfield Zoo
was at the forefront of that battle for two decades.

Finally, we know that people learn about conservation by seeing
elephants in zoos. A national Harris Interactive poll shows that 95% of
the public says seeing elephants and rhinos in real life helps people
appreciate them more and encourages people to learn more about them. So
despite the attacks from extremist anti-zoo groups, we are moving
forward with a commitment to exceptional animal care and to supporting
conservation programs that help ensure the future of elephants in zoos
and in the wild.

We would encourage you as supporters of Brookfield Zoo and our
elephants to spread the truth about our elephant program and our
commitment to animals.

If you have questions or comments, please contact us at animals@czs.org.

Sincerely,

Stuart Strahl, Ph.D.
President/CEO
Chicago Zoological Society