#United States #New York #World Animal Protection #Joyce #Us Still at the Zoo

World Animal Protection Highlights Animal Suffering on YouTube's 20th Anniversary

This year marks an important milestone in internet history as YouTube celebrates the 20th anniversary of its very first video, Me at the Zoo. The 19-second clip, featuring co-founder Jawed Karim at the San Diego Zoo, captured the hearts of viewers worldwide, garnering over 350 million views. However, this celebration bears a somber undertone as World Animal Protection uses the occasion to shed light on the cruel realities faced by animals in captivity.

To commemorate this anniversary, World Animal Protection teamed up with Happiness Brussels Agency and Bine Studio AI to produce a powerful video titled Us Still at the Zoo. This haunting piece follows the story of an Asian elephant named Sumithi, illustrating the contrast between the exponential growth of digital content and the stagnant plight of captive elephants over the past two decades. The poignant visuals combine archival footage with AI-generated images, effectively capturing the ongoing struggles faced by these gentle giants.

Cameron Harsh, Programs Director for World Animal Protection in the U.S., emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in our treatment of elephants. He proclaimed, “Elephants aren't here to entertain audiences. They are intelligent, social beings who deserve to roam free. With their complex needs and rich social structures, they endure profound suffering when denied their natural habitats.”

Reflecting on the story of Sumithi, who spent 48 years in captivity, Harsh noted the urgency of the situation, asserting, “We can't allow another 20 years of this cruelty. It’s time to advocate for change.” While Sumithi's fate is tragic, efforts are underway for Joyce, another elephant currently living under similar conditions.

Joyce, an African elephant, was snatched from her home in Zimbabwe in the 1980s amid horrific elephant culling operations carried out by the government. Tragically, she is not alone; she was one of 63 orphaned elephants transferred to the U.S. Since then, Joyce has endured a traumatic existence filled with performances, isolation, and repeated transfers between zoos and circuses. Presently, she resides at a Six Flags amusement park in New Jersey, far away from the expansive wilderness she once knew.

World Animal Protection is tirelessly campaigning for her release, pushing Six Flags to relocate Joyce and the four other elephants residing at its theme park to accredited sanctuaries. “Moving Joyce and her fellow companions to reputable sanctuaries would provide them the opportunity to lead a peaceful life, surrounded by nature and free to roam, something they deserve,” stated Harsh.

The organization invites the public to take action, urging them to join the fight to secure Joyce's freedom and end the cruelty inflicted upon elephants in captivity.

About World Animal Protection: With a mission to eradicate animal exploitation and promote welfare, World Animal Protection has been actively working for over 75 years to document and change cruel systems worldwide. Through their extensive efforts spanning nearly 50 countries, they advocate for not just wild animals but also those exploited in entertainment, agriculture, and fashion. With consultative status at the UN, they are uniquely positioned to engage global policy makers, ensuring that animal welfare remains a topic of critical discussion on the world stage.

In a digital age that heralds innovation, it is crucial to remember the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves. By highlighting the plight of captive animals, World Animal Protection encourages a collective movement towards compassionate action.