Vietnam Animal Eyes on August 6 posted a status on its fanpage about a letter calling on Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Tran Sy Thanh and General Director of Hanoi Zoo One Member Ltd. Co. Le Si Dung to release the elephants.

The organisers are hoping the letter will reach over 100,000 signatures.

The Facebook status has also received 7,600 likes and has been shared by 6,000 people.

According to Vietnam Animal Eyes, the elephant is on the brink of extinction and needs to be preserved in Vietnam and the world. It is unsuitable for the two elephants to be kept at Thu Le Zoo in Hanoi. They are chained all the day, minimising their movements to just a few metres.

The elephants at Thu Le Zoo originated from the Central Highlands. It has been suggested to release them at York Don National Park in Dak Lak Province. Over the recent years, York Don National Park has built a sustainable tourism and conservation model for elephants where they live freely in the forest under the monitoring and care of local caretakers.

Meanwhile, a representative from Thu Le Zoo said that chaining the elephants was to avoid conflicts and ensure the safety of the zoo staff.

Source: Dtinews