Judge denies request blocking LA Zoo from sending elephants Tina and Billy to Tulsa

LOS ANGELES - A judge in Los Angeles denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have put a temporary stop on a bid by the LA Zoo from moving its last two beloved elephants, Tina and Billy. 

The situation is unfolding with some conflicting information emerging.

What we know:

Tina and Billy, the Asian elephants, have long been a source of controversy at the LA Zoo - from their surroundings, to their habitat, and their care. On Thursday, attorneys for John Kelly were in court seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the elephants from being moved to a zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

According to a public relations representative for his attorney, Melissa Lerner, Kelly is described as "just an animal lover and concerned citizen." This contradicts some online reports stating that animal welfare groups are also part of the lawsuit.

Kelly says he initially was thrilled to hear that the zoo was transferring Billy and Tina to a preserve, and even went online to make a $50 donation to the LA Zoo "to show my love for Billy and Tina."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA Zoo being sued over plans to move elephants to Oklahoma

However, he says he was subsequently horrified to discover from a friend in the animal rights community that the Elephant Experience and Preserve in Tulsa "was just a fancy name for the somewhat larger elephant enclosure at the Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma."

What we don't know:

While online reports have suggested that Tina may have already been moved to Tulsa, a PR representative for John Kelly's attorney stated, "Unfortunately, I can’t confirm she still is or isn’t, the defendant or the zoo are the only ones that can say for sure at the moment." The LA Zoo has been contacted for clarification on Tina's current location, but has yet to comment. Furthermore, despite the lawsuit being filed by John Kelly, his background and connection to this issue remain unclear, as the PR representative for his attorney would only confirm that he is not an attorney.

'Not The End':

Lerner called the judge's decision a "setback" but emphasized the fight isn't over. 

"We are going to evaluate other potential claims. For example, a habeas petition, which historically has been used to bring acknowledgment to or end the unlawful confinement of populations that historically didn't have rights per se."

Lerner went on to defend the rights of the elephants, calling them "sentient, intelligent, sensitive creatures."

"They deserve to be retired to an elephant sanctuary, which means that the focus is on the elephants, not the viewing public, not people coming in and paying for admission, but the elephants themselves, providing them with an enriched environment, many times over more room to roam around and is just really concerned with their well-being… and that's what we are fighting for." 

The backstory:

Billy is 40 years old and Tina is 59. Contrary to the assumption that Billy has spent his entire life at the LA Zoo, his official biography indicates he was born in Malaysia and brought to Los Angeles when he was four years old. Tina's history also reveals she was reportedly a circus performer before arriving at the zoo as an adult. 

Zoo officials have mentioned evaluating the elephant exhibit since the deaths of two other elephants -- Jewel, age 61, in 2023, and Shaunzi, age 53, in 2024 -- although they attributed those deaths to "declining health due to issues unrelated to the zoo's enclosure or care." 

The Tulsa Zoo, their potential new home, houses five Asian elephants and includes a 17-acre area with a 36,650-square-foot elephant barn and a 10-plus-acre wooded elephant preserve.

The LA Zoo announced on April 22 its decision to relocate Billy and Tina to Tulsa Zoo, allowing them to join an Asian elephant herd, consisting of males Sneezy and Hank, and females Sooky, Booper and Connie.

What they're saying:

The LA Zoo says it won't comment on the pending litigation, but has stated online that the decision to move the elephants was made with their "care and well-being as the top priority," and the relocation "will afford them the opportunity to live among other elephants."

Representatives for the Tulsa Zoo have also commented, saying in part, "out of respect for the LA Zoo we are holding public comment on any legal matters that may be in process. We won't, however, allow the rhetoric about our zoo go unchallenged as accredited zoos, both Tulsa Zoo and Los Angeles Zoo are dedicated to animal well-being and doing the work every day."

In a sworn declaration, LA Zoo director Denise Verret said the zoo's announcement was "completely truthful and accurate." 

Tina is owned by the San Diego Zoo, which has already transferred ownership to the Tulsa Zoo, and the Tulsa Zoo has already made arrangements for her transfer, Verret further says.

"If the transfer is blocked, the Los Angeles Zoo potentially faces claims from the Tulsa Zoo or San Diego Zoo, according to Verret.

Dig deeper:

The lawsuit was filed under California Business and Professions Code 17200 -- referred to as the Unfair Competition Law -- which prohibits "any unlawful, unfair or fraudulent business act or practice and unfair, deceptive, untrue or misleading advertising." Lawyers argue that the Tulsa Zoo does not qualify as the "preserve" they were led to believe it was by zoo officials. 

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: LA Zoo's last remaining Asian elephants to be relocated to Oklahoma

The legal action sought either to prevent the relocation of the elephants to Tulsa or any other zoo, advocating instead that the elephants be transferred to a sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

What's next:

Lerner said the judge encouraged concerned residents to reach out to their local city council and LA Mayor Karen Bass to intervene. 

"He felt this was an issue to be resolved by a different branch of the government," she said. "So basically, he said this is an issue for the city of Los Angeles to resolve, and not the court."

 A date for the move has not been announced.

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