PROTECT ASHA’S RIGHTS -OPPOSE Virginia SB1030-

The future of Wildlife in Virginia depends on you, take action while you still can!

PROTECT ASHA'S RIGHTS – OPPOSE SB1030

We would like to humbly ask for a moment of your time,

Dear Virginia's House of Delegate Members,

We are asking you to oppose Senate Bill No.1030, relating to dangerous captive animal exhibits. This bill prohibits any direct or physical contact between the public and what some people feel is a dangerous animal. By doing this you are unfairly profiling these animals without knowing the individual. Numerous parks around the world have offered animal educational interactions for years without incident. Many young animals which are hand-reared and nurtured make excellent ambassadors for educational programs .

This bill was introduced by radical animal rights groups to purposely single us out as we are the only zoological park exhibiting an elephant in Virginia. Our African elephant Asha, has been giving rides to visitors and school children for over 30 years. Singling her out as a dangerous animal is to unfairly profile her, and deny our zoo visitors the informative and memorable  experience of being close and seeing a live elephant. Every interaction takes place under the care and direction of our professional elephant handler with over 40 years experience working with both African and Asian elephants.

Asha came to the park as an orphaned calf 35 years ago, and all her handling and training has been done with patience and positive incentives. This provides her vital exercise to maintain optimal health and fitness as well as contributing to her emotional stimulation and enrichment. We also offer special educational encounters with her explaining the plight of elephants in the wild due to poaching and habitat loss; and how the public can make a positive impact. During a supervised interaction, visitors are allowed to hand her a special treat and feel the gentle touch of an elephants' trunk. We have many children and adults with disabilities and special needs that benefit from this hands-on experience. This opportunity for a memory one can cherish for a lifetime should not be taken away.

Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

**your signature**

If this bill is passed it would have a damaging impact on future wildlife educational programs in the state of Virginia. We fear it would eventually progress to eliminate any and all contact with animals and the public, regardless of species. This is the first step in a detrimental direction!

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399 signatures

It saddens us to announce that SB1030 (*which prohibits any individual, visitor or guest attending any Zoological Institute in the state of Virginia from being able to have an up-close, personal connection and bond with several different amazing species*) has progressed to the next phase of legislation.

“Beautiful” Asha the African elephant is and always has been a beacon of hope for the ever dwindling population of African Elephants in the wild. While Asha continues her efforts as being the only Animal Ambassador for her incredible species, Virginia Lawmakers attempt to label her as “Dangerous,” this could not be further from the truth!
Always escorted by Natural Bridge Zoo’s around-the-clock experienced care-givers during interactions with park guests, she poses NO threat towards herself, her loving fans or zoo family.