Early in 2004, Calle, an Asian elephant, and Maybelle, an African elephant, both died at the SF Zoo due to captivity-related health problems. Their deaths set into motion a maelstrom that involved animal rights activists, sanctuaries, politicians, and zoo accreditators. After nearly 9 months of hard work by activists (letter writing, attending City meetings, leafleting the zoo every weekend, gathering signatures, monitoring the elephants, etc), the SF Zoo decided to transfer an Asian elephant named Tinkerbelle to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary where she would have the space that elephants need to stay healthy. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association threatened to remove the SF Zoo's accreditation if Tinkerbelle was not transferred to another zoo instead. Despite the threat, after spending 37 years in a small enclosure at the zoo, Tinkerbelle was moved to the sanctuary on November 28, 2004. At the time, Tinkerbelle was already in very "fragile" condition due to the severe arthritis and foot and joint problems she had developed at the zoo. Activists had hoped the move was not too late. In December of 2004, the SF Board of Supervisors approved a law that contains so many restrictions for keeping elephants that it amounts to a de facto ban on them for the SF Zoo. Lulu, an African elephant, the last elephant at the SF Zoo, was moved to PAWS on March 10, 2005. Unfortunately, on March 24, after only 4 months at the sanctuary, Tinkerbelle collapsed and was subsequently euthanized. Many reacted with sadness to the news as elephants in the wild survive nearly twice as long as those in captivity. Some turned to anger, publicly questioning the care Tinkerbelle received at the sanctuary. Most, though, found solace in the fact that the larger battle to remove elephants permanently from the zoo has been won and there will be no more Tinkerbelles at the SF Zoo.

Recent Accounts of Tinkerbelle at PAWS: Report | Video
Recent History of Tinkerbelle: 1 | 2 | 3
Contention Over Tinkerbelle's Care at PAWS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Captive Elephants Elsewhere: Anchorage 1 | 2, Connecticut, Chicago (#3), Detroit, & Central Valley, CA
IDA's Campaign to Help Stamp Out Captive Elephant Foot Disease