By Steffen Klenk
On Saturday, January 4th, a group of nearly a dozen people gathered outside of Ventura’s Greenhouse in Margate to remember and honor elephants that died while in captivity last year. Those in attendance held candles, shared stories
The vigil was held by Free All Captive Elephants (FACE), a nonprofit organization whose vision is to ensure that all elephants living in captivity are brought to animal sanctuaries to live out the rest of their lives. The organization was formed in 2014 in an effort to help an abused circus elephant named Nosey.
In 2018, Nosey’s Law was introduced into the New Jersey State Senate, with the goal of restricting the use of exotic and wild animals in traveling animal acts, such as zoos and carnivals, within the state. The bill was officially passed and signed into law on December 14, 2018. Last year, Congress introduced a bill named TEAPSPA (Traveling Exotic Animal and Public Safety Protection Act), that would restrict the use of wild animals in circuses and other traveling performances across the country.
According to the FACE website, there are approximately 400 elephants throughout North America and most do not get the proper treatment and care they deserve. There are many organizations now aware of the importance of protecting endangered species, long used for the purpose of fashion or entertainment.
There are currently two accredited animal sanctuaries that tend and care for exotic elephants in the United States. One of which is the California based Performing Animal Welfare Society, which is also home to over forty exotic cats including tigers, lions, leopards and cougars, as well as several bears and primates. The other is The Elephant Society in Tennessee, which is home to nearly a dozen elephants. You can learn more about Free All Captive Elephants, listen to their stories and and mission by visiting their website at freeallcaptiveelephants.org.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
