Elephant Documentary: Watch the tragic story of a Six Flags elephant named ‘Joyce’
News
A mini elephant documentary tells the tragic tale of Joyce the elephant who is being held captive at a theme park in the US state of New Jersey.
Image credit: World Animal Protection / Miguel Endara
With your support, Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach, Director of Wildlife Research & Veterinary Expertise at World Animal Protection (Denmark), was able to visit Six Flags Wild Safari to assess her environment. It shattered him to see Joyce’s
Following Dr Schmidt-Burbach's visit, World Animal Protection raised significant concerns to Six Flags about the surprisingly small, barren enclosure provided for the elephants and that Joyce the elephant was isolated in an area approximately 700,000 times less than an African Elephant would have in the wild.
Even more disturbing is the proximity of the rollercoasters. Noting that elephants detect vibrations over miles, we expressed concern for its impact on Joyce and the other captive wildlife at the park.
How did Joyce the elephant end up living at an amusement park?
Joyce’s life is one of tragedy. As a calf she was captured from the wild in 1984, she would have watched her mother be killed before being ripped away from her companion elephants.
She was sold and resold around the United States, forced to perform in circuses, and exploited in zoos, Joyce finally ended up at Six Flags Wild Safari in 2010. Today, she languishes between a small barn in the winter and a tiny enclosure when the park is open
With you by our side, we’ll continue demanding Six Flags release Joyce the elephant and the other elephants like her to sanctuaries and close the elephant exhibit for good.
Together we’re ending elephant exploitation. Forever
Elephant facts
Did you know that elephants can live up to 70 years in the wild, however their lifespan in captivity is generally shorter?
Donate to protect elephants
You can help give elephants the chance to live out their lives in a calm, peaceful environment.