Six years ago this week, Beulah collapsed and died at the Big E fair after a lifetime of exploitation. Just six months before her death, Karen—who was also held at the Commerford Zoo—died. Minnie is the last surviving elephant of the three, and remains there today. For decades, Beulah was forced to perform on demand and give rides for profit despite painful foot disease, standing still for countless photos. Yet when we petitioned for the elephants’ freedom, the court ruled that the elephants, because they were elephants, couldn’t even have a hearing to determine whether it was unlawful and unjust to confine and exploit them. “No matter how intelligent, no matter how severe her confinement, no matter how great her suffering, the Connecticut court determined that because Beulah was an elephant the court would not exercise its common law authority to even examine (let alone remedy) the wrongfulness of her captivity.” - Christopher Berry, NhRP Executive Director Beulah and Karen were hypervisible when making money, yet invisible when seeking justice. We continue our fight in their memory—and for Minnie, and all nonhuman beings still waiting for justice. (fb)

(fb)