Happy, a beloved Asian elephant at the Bronx Zoo, has become the center of a heated debate over her living conditions. Recently spotted in public after nearly ten weeks, Happy’s appearance has ignited concerns among animal rights activists who argue that her confinement is detrimental to her well-being.

Photo: Pexels

Happy the elephant was absent from the Bronx Zoo for nearly ten weeks.

Unusual Behavior Raises Red Flags

A photo shared by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) on Instagram showed Happy lying down in a sand pit, a behavior deemed abnormal by the group. Activists noted “significant damage” to her feet, raising alarms about her physical and emotional state.

“From the time we began monitoring this exhibit in 2018 until her disappearance from view this summer, we and our sources only ever observed Happy in a standing position in this yard,” NhRP reports.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Anthony22, License: CC BY-SA 3.0

Happy was recently spotted lying down, a rare behavior for her.

Zoo Officials Claim Happy Is Well

In response, the Bronx Zoo maintains that Happy is healthy and content. A spokesperson emphasized that lying down is normal for elephants, indicating comfort and security.

“There are no serious issues with Happy’s feet,” a zoo representative told the The New York Post, adding that any nail cracks are managed through routine pedicures. The zoo also highlighted a recent USDA inspection that found no compliance issues, reinforcing their stance that Happy receives proper care.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Kameragrl at wts wikivoyage, License: CC BY-SA 1.0

In Defense of Animals ranked Bronx Zoo as the No. 2 worst for elephants.

Activists Demand Sanctuary for Happy

Despite the zoo’s assurances, activists remain unconvinced. Lauren Choplin, communications director for the NhRP, argued that Happy’s environment fails to meet her physical and emotional needs.

“She’s stuck in a tiny exhibit which can’t meet her physical or emotional needs or the needs of any elephant,” Choplin stated.

The NhRP has long advocated for Happy’s release, even taking her case to the New York Court of Appeals. However, the court ruled in 2022 that Happy is not a person under the law, preventing her from being granted legal personhood, The Independent reports.

Photo: Pexels

In 2022, the court ruled Happy is not a legal person.

Bronx Zoo Ranked Among Worst for Elephants

The controversy escalated when In Defense of Animals ranked the Bronx Zoo as the No. 2 worst zoo for elephants in North America. The group criticized the zoo for “cruel confinement” of Happy and her companion, Patty. They highlighted that the elephants are kept in enclosures significantly smaller than their natural habitats, leading to chronic stress and health issues, as reported by the New York Post.

Just a few years earlier, The New York Times had called Happy "The Bronx Zoo’s Loneliest Elephant," noting that she lived alone at the zoo, "separated from the zoo’s two other elephants for her protection."

The Future of Happy at Bronx Zoo

As the debate continues, the future of Happy remains uncertain. The Bronx Zoo has promised to shut down its elephant exhibit once the current elephants pass away, the New York Post reports, but no immediate plans have been announced for Happy and Patty’s relocation. Meanwhile, activists continue to rally support, urging the zoo to prioritize the elephants’ well-being over public display.

As more eyes turn to the Bronx Zoo, the call for ethical treatment and proper living conditions for elephants like Happy grows louder.

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