Press Conference Wednesday: Top Mexican Animal Welfare Professionals Call On Dallas to Keep Jenny in the U.S.

Dallas, Texas—Representatives from a leading Mexican animal welfare organization will on Wednesday urge the City of Dallas to send Jenny the elephant to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, instead of the Africam Safari Park, a drive-through tourist attraction in their country.

What: Press Conference with Mexican Animal Welfare Professionals about Jenny
When: Wednesday, August 13th at 8:30am
Where: Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla Street, Main Entrance

Endorsing the call from Gente por la Defensa Animal (People for the Defense of Animals) President Monica Pineda and Vice-President Maricarmen Garcia, who specializes in wildlife issues, are colleagues from other top animal welfare groups in Mexico who have co-signed a letter urging that Jenny stay in the U.S.

"I love my country and am proud of it, but Mexico is 80 years behind in the field of animal protection," states Pineda. "We strongly advise against sending Jenny to Mexico where she will not have the strict animal welfare protections she now enjoys in the United States. For a troubled elephant like Jenny, this is critical."

Last week, one of the world's foremost authorities on African elephants, Dr. Joyce Poole, joined other world-renowned scientists, elephant experts and zoo professionals from around the globe calling for Jenny to be moved to The Elephant Sanctuary. The group also cited lack of animal welfare protections as a major concern.

"Africam Safari simply is not the right place for Jenny," says Garcia, who recently visited the facility. "Jenny should remain in the U.S. and be sent to The Elephant Sanctuary, which offers a rehabilitation program designed for elephants with psychological problems like hers and where she will receive the specialized care she needs."

The Elephant Sanctuary is a natural-habitat refuge providing 300 acres for its three resident African elephants. ABC's 20/20 recently featured its work with troubled elephants. The Sanctuary has received elephants from several Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited zoos.

For more information see www.helpelephants.com.