Les Schobert is gaining national attention for his work on behalf of elephants.

Schobert has worked in zoos since the 1960’s when his father was a zoo veterinarian. He served as the General Curator of the Los Angeles Zoo and the North Carolina Zoo, specifically in elephant care. He also was a professional member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

“My goal is to improve the quality of life for elephants,” Schobert said. “Zoos should pool their resources and build a series of huge 'preserves' in the southern part of the country and move all elephants to them. The elephant sanctuary in Tennessee could serve as a model for a preserve.”

When temperatures dip below 40 degrees, Schobert says you need to worry about the elephants.

“Honestly, it makes no sense to have elephants in zoos in Chicago or Buffalo, where the winters are harsh and having to lock them in a tiny cage for weeks on end. Instead of having an elephant in every zoo, elephants should be seen in herds on thousands of acres and managed using the protected contact approach,” Schobert explained. “Zoos should be specific and deal with certain animals, instead of having the department store approach with one of everything. It’s a misconception that everyone has to see everything in every community including elephants.”

Schobert has seen first hand what can happen with elephants who are kept in captivity. He's been kicked and pinned against a wall by elephants.

“Working in zoos for more than 30 years, I’ve beaten elephants, I've chained elephants, that’s what we did. But, it isn’t necessary anymore,” Schobert said.

In regards to one of the zoos where he used to work, specifically the Los Angeles Zoo, Schobert sees the need for change.

“Billy, the sole elephant at the L.A. Zoo should be moved. Watch him for ten minutes, he is constantly swaying. I’ve seen other elephants exhibit similar aberrant behavior. It’s psychological stress,” Schobert explained. “The $40 million dollar elephant exhibit at the L.A. Zoo will be inadequate and more of the same old thing. Why duplicate efforts? Zoos could pool their resources and make one adequate elephant preserve. Instead, zoos move elephants like pieces of furniture around the country for breeding purposes. Meanwhile, elephant herpes is spreading among the population and they’re dying from it.”

Overall, Schobert believes zoos need to change which is why he developed the website www.ZoosCanDoBetter.com to help encourage progressive approaches.

“The world is changing, but zoos haven’t changed. For example, the Los Angeles Zoo should serve an urban population. They should be educating kids about rats, pigeons, coyotes, squirrels, and raccoons. Take it further and explain how you care for a rabbit or snake, a dog or a cat. Imagine an educational exhibit about a coyote and how we co-exist in an urban environment. Zoos have a place in the world, but not the way they’re run today,” Schobert said. “It’s just the same old facts over and over again. Why aren’t they talking about elephants and their olfactory capabilities? The smelling capabilities of an elephant are one hundred to one thousand times better than the best bloodhound we have. They could also use technology to educate. We have Animal Planet and National Geographic. Talk to average third graders and they can tell you what animals eat and details about their habitat. They are much more knowledgeable than when I was growing up. The only reason for existence of a zoo, in my opinion, is education, but not the way it is today.”

Schobert, with his wealth of zoo experience and direct involvement in specific programs, does not believe the goals of the current conservation efforts are doing enough.

“Only a tiny percent of animals are returned to the wild from the zoo. I was directly involved in the condor program at the L.A. Zoo. It’s a feel-good program, but not close to being self-sustaining. It’s having problems because of humans. The condors eat at garbage dumps; they’re licking up anti-freeze or shot by hunters. It’s been a noble effort, but a futile attempt at conservation. Education of the public is not how long animals live or what they eat ie., their biology - it is more of a sensitivity to these creatures that share this planet with us,” Schobert added.

“I feel very passionate about the zoo issue. I’m hopeful zoos can change, but probably not in my lifetime. Someone has to be willing to talk about it. My legacy will be that I did the best I could for the animals,” Schobert said. “Meanwhile, elephants need to be given free choice day or night to go outside or stay inside. A 20-foot by 20-foot stall or even a 30-foot by 30-foot stall is unacceptable. Elephants need to go out and explore, they need trees, grasses, shrubs and water access to rivers and streams. Elephants should be displayed with multiple elephants. Today, we have multiple choices and it’s time to make a change.”

For more information on Les Schobert visit www.ZoosCanDoBetter.com or to read his blog entries visit www.EthicsAndAnimals.com.

* Picture from www.ZoosCanDoBetter.com.