Times-Herald (Vallejo, CA)
July 31, 2007
By Matthias Gafni and J. M. Brown

Original Article

Barbara Anderson, who trained elephants for seven years
at what then was Marine World Africa USA in Vallejo,
doesn't want them sold to Six Flags.
(Mike Jory/Times-Herald)

City Manager Joe Tanner decided late Monday night that Vallejo cannot afford to exclude four elephants from today's sale of Discovery Kingdom to Six Flags.

Tanner met for two hours Monday with animal rights activists, who asked him to remove the elephants - long owned by the city - based on allegations that the park has treated the animals inhumanely.

Tanner said he wanted to send the animals - two Asian elephants on the endangered species list and two African elephants - to sanctuaries.

But in a late-night interview, Tanner said lawyers exhaustively reviewed Vallejo's contract with Six Flags - which set the terms for the sale years ago - and found no loophole to remove animals from the deal.

The cost would be in the "thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars" if Six Flags filed a lawsuit, the city manager warned.

Having just closed a $9 million deficit with deep cuts in public safety and transportation, Tanner said the city has "enough problems as it is."

Before Tanner made his decision, people at In Defense of Animals were ecstatic that he was even considering removing the elephants.

"We're very hopeful the city of Vallejo will do the right thing and rescue these elephants and send them to a sanctuary to spend the rest of their lives in peace and serenity," said Catherine Doyle, the group's elephant campaign director.

Monday's meeting between Tanner and In Defense of Animals was arranged less than 24 hours before Six Flags would officially buy the city's $55 million interest in the 135-acre park.

In June, the company announced it would exercise its option to buy the facility. The theme park has been operated under a joint revenue sharing agreement since it moved to Vallejo in the mid 1980s. The city will still receive a hosting fee.

Tanner was joined by Assistant City Manager Craig Whittom, Councilmember Stephanie Gomes and an outside attorney representing the city. In Defense of Animal officials brought an attorney, a representative from Marin Humane Society and a former Marine World Africa USA elephant trainer.

Barbara Anderson, who trained elephants from 1990-96 at the Vallejo park, flew in from Tennessee to report alleged animal abuse during her tenure.

She alleged elephants were "hooked, smacked under the chin, and yelled at," mostly in the barn and out of the public eye.

Anderson said the park used the "traditional free contact management style."

"It's complete dominant control," she said. "I saw elephants physically beaten when they did something wrong."

In Defense of Animals has threatened to sue the city for violating the Endangered Species Act, by allowing alleged mistreatment of the pachyderms. The group also claimed recently obtained veterinarian records show ailments related to staying at the park. They also condemn the park's use of bull hooks when dealing with elephants.

"I actually can see their point with the elephants," Tanner said, of the activists. "They are a group of people with their hearts in the right place in my mind. But I've got to do what's right for the city and I don't know what's right for the city yet."

Nancy Chan said the park cares deeply and professionally for the elephants - Taj, Liz, Tava and Mailika - and dismisses Anderson's claims.

"It's her word against anyone else," she said, adding that Anderson hadn't been to the park in 11 years. "If these things happened before, why did she not bring them up before?

"I don't understand how she comes out of the woodwork and people believe this person," Chan said.

As for the use of bull hooks, Chan said it's an approved tool in managing elephants, without any ramifications for the animals.

"It is a guide, just like a leash for a dog, a bridle for a horse, just for a much large animal," she said.

Anderson returned to the park late Monday to see some of the elephants she previously managed.

"It's so sad to come back 11 years later and nothing has changed," Anderson said.

E-mail Matthias Gafni at mgafni@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6825.