The Tragic Story of "Dumbo", the Real-Life Performing Baby Elephant
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM MovingAnimals.org
October 2019

Whilst documenting the animals confined to Phuket Zoo in Thailand, we met a skeletal baby elephant who was forced to “rave” to music, “play” musical instruments, and perform tricks, all for tourists’ entertainment. We watched as tourists laughed and took selfies, all while this emaciated baby elephant stood with his eyes closed, quietly sucking on his trunk.

This emaciated baby elephant stood with his eyes closed, quietly sucking on his trunk...

Whilst documenting the animals confined to Phuket Zoo in Thailand, we met a skeletal baby elephant who was forced to “rave” to music, “play” musical instruments, and perform tricks, all for tourists’ entertainment. We watched as tourists laughed and took selfies, all while this emaciated baby elephant stood with his eyes closed, quietly sucking on his trunk.

We were so moved by his plight, that we nicknamed him “Dumbo” and started a petition asking for him to be retired to a nearby sanctuary. His story went viral and over 200,000 compassionate people from around the world demanded that the zoo release him to a sanctuary where he could feel happiness and peace.

But in a tragic turn of events, “Dumbo” passed away after his back legs snapped beneath him. Phuket Zoo did not realise that his legs were broken for three days.

After public pressure forced the zoo to seek veterinary treatment for “Dumbo”, it was revealed that he had been suffering from a digestive tract infection for months, which gave him constant diarrhoea and made him incredibly weak.

Whilst under the so-called “care” and “treatment” of Phuket Zoo, “Dumbo” got stuck in a puddle of mud. He was so weak, that his back legs snapped beneath him as he tried to free himself. The zoo did not even realise his legs were broken for three days. Finally, the baby elephant was taken to an elephant hospital. He died just three days later.

For “Dumbo” to die whilst under the so-called “care” and “treatment” of the zoo shows just how neglected these animals are in captivity. And so, to send the message that cruel wildlife attractions, like elephant shows, will not be tolerated, we’re calling for Phuket Zoo to be closed down immediately. Will you join us?

We hope that “Dumbo” is now finding the peace that he was so cruelly denied in his lifetime, and that his tragic story will help to stop others from suffering the same fate.

Rest in Peace, “Dumbo”.

 

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