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Jun 11, 2006 6:24 pm US/Pacific
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Activists Demand Accountability For Elephant Death
LOS ANGELES (AP) ―
Animal rights activists are demanding the resignation of the Los Angeles zoo's director, holding him responsible for the death of a 48-year-old Asian elephant named Gita.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals on Sunday faxed a letter to zoo director John Lewis, saying Gita's death was caused by poor living conditions at the zoo.
About 40 representatives from other activist groups protested in front of the zoo's entrance on Sunday, demanding the zoo transfer its elephants to a sanctuary.
The zoo has said that it has yet to determine what exactly caused Gita's death. But Lewis has said that Gita outlived the 42-year average lifespan of captive Asian elephants live. In the wild, Asian elephants live about 70 years.
Zoo officials could not immediately be reached for comment Sunday.
For years, Gita suffered from arthritis. Zoo officials said she had healed from surgery last year.
(© 2006 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)