Animal Rights Groups Give St. Lucie County Commissioners Compassion Award For Vote On Elephant Center
February 1, 2010 by St. Lucie Times Staff · Leave a Comment
The St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners were recognized by several animal rights groups this week for approving a site plan for the National Elephant Center (NEC) to build a facility in the County on the condition that no bullhooks be used at the center.
County Commissioners will jointly receive a Compassionate Legislator Award from PETA, In Defense of Animals, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida and United for Animals for their vote prohibiting bullhooks at the facility. A bullhook is a controversial, metal tool used to train and control elephants. Each commissioner will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation.
“The Board voted unanimously and is pleased and looking forward to having the National Elephant Center in St. Lucie County. After much discussion, the meeting ended with a positive outcome and everyone agreed to ban the bullhooks,” said St. Lucie County Commission Chairman Charles Grande.
At the Jan. 26 meeting, St. Lucie County Commissioners also limited the number of elephants permitted at the NEC site to 10 in order to allow the animals more space, and they encouraged the center to form an animal welfare advisory board. NEC will build its facility on 34 acres in western St. Lucie County.
The main concern of the organizations that presented the award was NEC’s intention to allow the use of bullhooks even though more than half the accredited zoos in the United States have stopped using them.
