Mexico City recently witnessed a groundbreaking ruling by the country’s Supreme Court, which ordered a local zoo to enhance the living conditions of an African elephant named Ely. This remarkable decision marks the first time that Mexico’s top court has intervened in favor of an animal’s welfare.
The court’s directive emphasizes the need for continuous improvement in Ely’s health and physical state. This ruling builds upon a previous lower court’s decision from last year, potentially paving the way for future legal recognition of animal rights in Mexico.
Supporters of animal rights have raised concerns about Ely’s well-being, particularly following the death of her companion elephant, Maggie, in 2016. It has been reported that Ely exhibited signs of distress, such as banging her head against the walls of her enclosure and significant weight loss. She has often been referred to as “the world’s saddest elephant.”
Diana Valencia, the founder of the animal welfare group Opening Cages and Opening Minds, was moved to action after witnessing Ely’s condition. Valencia, who has made a commitment to visit Ely regularly, vowed to advocate for her betterment, saying, “They aren’t going to do the same to you.”
Ely, who is approximately 43 to 45 years old, has spent the last 13 years at the San Juan de Aragon zoo in Mexico City after being rescued from a circus.
This ruling comes on the heels of another important decision by the Supreme Court, which upheld the constitutionality of local laws aimed at preventing animal mistreatment and cruelty.
Valencia does acknowledge that the zoo has made some improvements to Ely’s environment, but asserts that many of these changes were prompted by public outcry. Recently, the zoo expanded Ely’s enclosure and introduced two additional elephants to her habitat.
Veterinarian Gabriela Uribe Acosta, who oversees the zoo’s care for Ely, expressed confidence in the zoo’s ability to meet the court’s requirements. She mentioned that a dedicated team is responsible for maintaining Ely’s expansive living space and monitoring her health.
Uribe Acosta refuted claims that Ely is suffering from depression, stating that she has shown signs of improvement and greater mobility since the arrival of the other elephants. However, there have been ongoing concerns regarding Ely’s previous injuries and dietary deficiencies that have affected her well-being.
Legal expert Sergio Méndez Silva from the Foundation for Justice praised the court’s ruling as a pivotal moment for animal rights in Mexico, suggesting it may create a new standard for the treatment of animals.
Despite the positive developments, Valencia remains steadfast in her belief that all three elephants at the zoo should be relocated to a sanctuary, either in Brazil or the United States, as she argues that captivity causes deep psychological harm to these magnificent creatures. “An elephant can’t live in captivity, it hurts them mentally,” she said. “It’s one of the animals that suffers the most in captivity.”
