How Do You Know?

Well, as predictable as Groundhog's Day, it was getting to be that time of year.  The animal rights group In Defense of Animals puts out its annual list of what it deems to be the "Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants."  This year, they gave top mention (bottom mention?) to the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium, but several other prominent zoos made the list.  Puzzlingly to me, several zoos which I actually think do have bad elephant welfare never get mentioned.  Why is that?  Perhaps the group wants the prestige that can only be obtained by punching up at big, reputable zoos?

"The Elephant in the Room" - San Diego Union-Tribune

African elephants at the San Diego Safari Park.

(Ken Bohn / San Diego Zoo Global)

Not surprisingly, many of the zoos mentioned are hitting back against the critiques of their animal care, and they seem to be getting a fair amount of support from their visitors.  I know of no zookeepers more passionate, more devoted to their charges than elephant keepers, so I knew that they were not going to take this lying down.  It got me thinking, though... we say we're taking the best care of our animals.  Anti-zoo activists say that we are not.  How can we be sure that we actually are?   I mean, we all want to believe that we are - but how can we know?  What's the proof?  Is it even possible to prove it?

Over the next few days, I want to take a step back and ask those questions and try to find some answers.