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Six Flags Marine World Stopped From Importing 2 Baby Asian Elephants From India In 2002, the Six Flags corporation sought to import two young endangered Asian elephants from India to its Marine World amusement park in Vallejo, CA. The roller coaster theme park -- which forces elephants to perform, give rides and play “tug-of-war” with park visitors had formed a front organization called “The New Marine World Foundation” to apply to the federal government for the import permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Marine World’s application stated, “The Activity is being done by a non-profit foundation to enhance the survival of the species in the wild. There will be no income . . . it is neither a commercial venture, nor will any income or profit be generated.” However, Marine World’s real motivation for the import was to secure two to replace two adult female elephants at the park who are currently pregnant and whom the park predicted would be unable to perform for about two years while they give birth and nurse their young. [Tragically, one of these elephants subsequently died after her baby died in utero; the second gave birth to a stillborn calf just two months later.] The park also wanted the two females as future breeders to produce prized amusement park attractions baby elephants. In March 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) rejected Marine World’s application to import Chameli (aged 4? ) and Sunduri (aged 3?),finding the park did not meet ESA criteria, namely because it failed to demonstrate that the import would “reduce the threat of extinction or otherwise benefit the species in the wild.” However, the park petitioned the FWS for reconsideration. This time, the agency outdid itself in accommodating Marine World; it suggested the park apply for a 45-day extension that FWS promptly granted. The FWS also overlooked the fact that Marine World had failed to provide two critical pieces of information: proof of the New Marine World Foundation’s non-commercial status, and proof that the elephants the park intended to import were second generation captive bred. The park never provided this information, which FWS itself had deemed critical to proving that the proposed import was legal. Nevertheless, the agency granted the import permit; and In Defense of Animals, joined by PETA and the Animal Protection Institute and an excellent legal team from the Washington DC public interest law firm of Meyer & Glitzenstein, filed suit. On November 5, 2002, Six Flags Marine World surrendered its permit to import the baby elephants. The move was a clear victory for In Defense of Animals and our efforts to ensure that the commercial trade in endangered elephants is ended for good. News Releases: Other Information
on Elephant Import Case: Marine World
Info: Recent Elephant
Deaths: Six Flags Info: IDA
Protests Shareholders Meeting
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