Letter to the editor: Free the Pittsburgh elephants

In April, I visited the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium and recorded hours of footage of the elephant paddock. With a mission for detecting abnormal signs and symptoms, what I found was deeply disturbing. In my opinion, these five intelligent creatures (Angeline, Savannah, Tasha, Victoria and Zuri) are suffering tremendously, driven to insanity in their tiny confines of no more than three-quarters of an acre. In the wild, elephants travel, on average, up to 30 miles a day.

What can be done? The Christian Animal Rights Association created a petition requesting that the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium free the five Pittsburgh elephants. It has gained nearly 14,000 signatures. Most Pittsburgh residents may already be aware that the Nonhuman Rights Project (NHRP) filed a lawsuit against the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, seeking the right to liberty for these tortured elephants.

I, and the ministry I preside, deeply support the release of these elephants to a sanctuary where they can live their lives as God intended — free! Please sign our petition asking for their release. Please also consider attending the Rally to Free The Pittsburgh Elephants at 11 a.m. Nov. 22 at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium. The elephants need our help.

Matthew A. King

Brentwood

The writer is president of the Christian Animal Rights Association.