Peaches The Elephant Has Died In Chicago

San Diego Union-Tribune ^ | January 22, 2005 | By Craig Gustafson

[Scenic Sounds]

"They sent them to about the coldest place they could send them," Katz said. "It was just a death sentence. They dumped them there, knowing full well that they were just going to dramatically shorten their lives."

[Paleo Conservative]

I don't think elephants are welcome in Chicago.

[NorCalRepub]

I've been to the Escondido Wild Animal park many times. Those people absolutely love those animals.....for anyone to say they sent them anywhere to basically kill them seems to be alot of alarmist rhetoric......

[formercalifornian]

[Amelia]

If I were an elephant I'd much rather live in San Diego than Chicago.

In fact, as a person, I don't want to live in Chicago.

[Scenic Sounds]

I don't think there is any such thing as living in Chicago. ;-)

[Severa]

"Although elephants can live into their 60s, the typical life expectancy is about 42 years, said Bill Foster, president of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, an accreditation group. By that measure, he said, criticism of either zoo is unfounded and they should be congratulated for allowing Peaches to live a long and healthy life."

To me that says it all. Peaches lived to be 55, well past typical life expectancy. RIP Peaches, and a pox on you PETA for being such insufferable idiots.

[Kirkwood]

"In fact, as a person, I don't want to live in Chicago."

You call that living? :^)

[steveo]

So are we grilling or doing the BBQ thing?

[Amelia]

I don't think there is any such thing as living in Chicago. ;-)

You call that living? :^)

It wouldn't be much of a life, IMO. I bet Peaches just pined away....

However, I notice she had some impressive tusks. They could probably make enough money to support more elephants by making & selling ivory trinkets from Peaches' tusks....

[Nitro]

I don't want to line up with the tree-huggers, but...

I was at the NYC Aquarium and I saw a dolphin in a tank that had only about 50 feet of swimming room before he had to stop or turn...

it broke my heart.

I understand we can't release these animals, but we should take a long hard look at collection, at least as far as which animals can stand zoo life and which cannot.

There are more than enough excellent documentaries to introduce children to animals and they have the added attraction of seing the animal in the wild and performing actual tasks they need to survive.

[sheik yerbouty]

Chitown is still run by jackasses.

[exit82]

Enough about Peaches.

What happened to Herb?

[skinkinthegrass]

..Well, When the next Elephant is up for grabs, maybe this Tony Madsen and/or P.E.T.A. should take care of the animal's feeding/caring/housing...BBQ, is my choice...think of those ribs. :))

[xJones]

Enough about Peaches.

What happened to Herb

Thank you. As much as we all hate to read of old elephants dying, it would help if they weren't named 'Peaches', "Tatima", and they're fighting now to save 'Wankie' from wonking off.

For some reason this reminds me of the Emmy award winning 'Mary Tyler Moore' episode about Chuckles the Clown's death.

[Grendel9]

One more thing about Peaches...and the other
2 elephants shipped to CHicago. THese animals
had a huge indoor/outdoor facility. And I
would venture the California zoo either recvd
a good deal of money or some kind of animals
it had a need for in return. Chicago's Lincoln
Park Zoo as well as Brookfield Zoo have tremendous
facilities for all their animals...due to private
donations by loyal patrons (and I'm one of them).
I visited the Lions and the deceased Bushman (now
an exhibit at the Field Museum) at Lincoln Park
every day after school throughout my elementary
school days. The animals are well cared for and
have terrific meals that some humans could envy.
Need I add that I'm one of them and have been for years?

[BackInBlack]

"I don't think elephants are welcome in Chicago."

Ba-zing!

[BackInBlack]

What's with the Chicago bashing?

[BackInBlack]

"Chitown is still run by jackasses."

Completely true -- though around here, everyone calls Mayor Daley a "closet Republican." Probably true, actually, though that tells you how far the pendulum has swung around here.

[Palladin]

I hope my kids don't send me to Chicago when I get too old!