Jim Erwin knows way more about the...

Jim Erwin knows way more about the social structure of elephants than

I do (“An elephant-sized problem at the fair,” Mailbag, Friday).

I know way more about the elephants at the Orange County Fair than

Jim Erwin.

I have been to the elephants’ home in Riverside County. Have Trunk

Will Travel graciously opened its elephants’ home to the public and

shared the many activities they participate in to support its main

goal -- to help protect an endangered species.

If Erwin had been to their home, he would not have ignorantly

referred to “limited size of their facilities denigrates the health

of these animals.”

Erwin’s reference to the exhibit “educating children and adults to

believe that cruelty to animals is acceptable if it is profitable” is

beyond ignorant. Exactly what elephant exhibit at the fair did he

attend?

As a resident of Costa Mesa, I am ashamed that I live in a

neighboring city of Jim Erwin. I invite Erwin to my home, where I am

raising two boys, aged 7 and 14. Our space is limited, but cleaned on

a regular basis.

I then might consider asking Erwin to see the elephants’ home at

Have Trunk Will Travel. After seeing both facilities, given the

choice, Erwin would choose that my boys be raised on the elephants’

ranch. Way more space and cleanliness.

KAREN DONOVAN

Mesa Verde

Regarding Jim Erwin’s letter on the elephant rides at our Orange

County Fair, I am also opposed to this exhibit.

As Erwin so eloquently stated, these animals have an advanced

social structure and cognitive skills. Zoos across the United States

are shutting down elephant exhibits for good reason: The elephants do

not belong in an exhibit. Bull riding also exploits animals for

profit.

Animals are not here for our entertainment. They share this planet

of ours as co-inhabitants. We need to respect them and their place on

Earth.

KARIN W. AHLF

Costa Mesa

The recent letter to the editor about the elephants at the fair

caught my attention, as intended, with its use of “appalled” and

“shocked.” It made me sad the writer felt he had to use those words

to present his viewpoint to anyone who had not been to the fair and

seen the elephants.

He is evidently part of a group that is trying to put the people

working with elephants out of business. Leaders of organizations in

this group have endorsed using whatever means might be effective to

accomplish their purpose, regardless if it is factual or not.

One would expect the fair crowds, who actually have an opportunity

to see the condition of the elephants for themselves, do not have an

extreme need for corrective glasses and can see the very healthy

conditions of the elephants, even when they are not sitting on top of

them.

Elephants are very intelligent animals, who don’t just gather to

greet their young; the females care about and help care for the

babies in their family group. The elephants at the fair belong to a

family group that includes their two-legged care givers. To stand

with some of those two-legged family members, encircled by a half a

dozen elephants that only want a hug or a pat is a special moment,

showing the great love expressed by all in that family. They do have

a clean and spacious home environment, and they can go roaming on

family walks when they have time.

A family camping out with a well-outfitted tent would not be

accused of being cruel to their children. These very intelligent

elephants are very eager to get into their specially made travel

trailers and go to different places, where they can watch people and

have nice people pay attention to them.

They get a bath every morning, never miss a meal and get lots of

treats. They exercise in the shade, and misters and fans are turned

on if it gets too hot.

Animals as well as people need to exercise to stay healthy, and

these animals enjoy their exercise. You can see for yourself that

they are not chained. The cruelty only exists in the thought of a

beholder determined to advance his own agenda, whether or not it is

based on fact.

It is an individual choice to accept information and become

educated or misinformed.

Fortunately, there are still a number of people in Orange County

who pay attention to facts and appreciate the presence of these

gentle ambassadors.

A few years ago, the Costa Mesa City Council listened to their

community speaking out against an ordinance that might prohibit these

animals from visiting town. There were enough speaking against the

ordinance that the out-of-town promoters of the ordinance withdrew it

before it came to a vote.

I encourage everyone who is going to the fair to speak for

themselves. Go see the elephants. Read about them. Have a ride and

pat their hide and feel the wiry hair. Congratulate the two-legged

family members for having the courage to stay in business in spite of

attacks in print and otherwise by those who have an agenda that does

not always rely on facts.

DIANE HILL

Costa Mesa

I totally agree with Jim Erwin regarding the elephant rides at the

Orange County Fair. It has been proven that elephants are very

intelligent. Treatment of this kind should be outlawed.

I thought that the animal welfare inspectors are required to visit

often to make sure there is no abuse.

And as Erwin pointed out, zoos are sending them to preserves. On

an Animal Planet TV show, Tippi Hedren accepted an elephant from a

zoo.

She cautiously introduced the one she had on the preserve. The two

elephants trumpeted and encircle their trunks. She was so curious,

she checked their history -- only to find out they had both come over

from Africa on the same boat 25 years ago.

Why are so many “animal lovers” so greedy, not caring about the

welfare of these majestic creatures?

When people see such abuse, I suggest that people call your animal

control and report the situation.

GLORIA FAHEY

Newport Beach