Team Queenie
April 21st, 2010 | 
Author: 
This week, thanks to you, the USDA has been getting a sense of just how much Queenie the elephant has touched hearts around the country and the world. Our pleas for calls to Secretary Vilsack have been taken up by bloggers, tweeters, Facebook groups and people everywhere. The office is being deluged with calls; USDA staff is unable to manage them. They are diverting callers to various Animal Care offices, but the Secretary cannot ignore the many strong voices calling for him to do the right thing: overturn his agency’s decision and ensure Queenie’s transfer to the PAWS sanctuary, rather than consign her to a miserable future at the San Antonio Zoo. (for more information, go to www.helpelephants.com)
We will continue to call in ever increasing numbers until the USDA agrees that Queenie’s needs cannot possibly be met in a zoo whose woefully inadequate exhibit is not sufficient for the one elephant, poor Lucky, already held there. Having already endured a lifetime of abuse in the circus, Queenie now needs space, high quality care, her choice of companions and the peace and quiet only a sanctuary can offer.
Join Team Queenie. Call Secretary Vilsack’s office, and ask your friends and family to call him, too. If the office gives you more numbers, call them, too. The more calls, the harder it is to ignore our message: Queenie needs sanctuary. And Secretary Vilsack needs to hear that from us. Call him now: (202) 720-3631
One more thing: it’s time the White House hears how many people care deeply about Queenie’s fate. Please send an email to USDA/White House Liaison and urge him to help Queenie get to sanctuary: John.Berge@usda.gov
This blog was contributed by Deborah Robinson, IDA’s Captive Elephant Specialist.
Posted in Animals in Entertainment, Elephants, Featured News, Wildlife | 
Tags: Circus, Elephants, Endangered Species, Exotic Animals, Wildlife, Zoos
10 Responses to “Team Queenie”
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Hey Guys,
I am so grateful that Queenie has so many people trying to help her. While we are trying to get her to the Sanctuary can we please try and do the same for Lucky?
Bless u 4 all u r doing 2 help Queenie.
I sent the email and in it I suggested that by sending Queenie to the inadequate facilities at the San Antonio Zoo, they must be pointing out the plight of the ironically named Lucky. Lucky should be sent to the PAWS Sanctuary as well!
Hi
I’m calling the White House tomorrow and passing the number on to my concerned friends…I have another number that was given to me from the office of the USDA. It is 301-734-4980. She took my name and comments. Thanks for the numbers and the concern! Queenie is in trouble and she needs help!
Is there any legal action that can be taken against the USDA, such as filing a Writ of Mandamus to force them to enforce the Animal Welfare Act? The government’s GAO has found that the agency is doing a poor job of enforcing the law. This is just another grievous example of that fact. And this is so typical of the AZA, smuggling them under cover of darkness. Who tranported Queenie? This just smells to high heaven in so many ways.
Sounds great – we’ll add them to our list of calls!
Did you know that the White House has a comment line? We just called them at 202-456-1111. After a few minutes on hold, a volunteer operator took notes on Barbara’s comments that we expect the Obama administration to be better for animals, not worse than the Bush years. If thousands of outraged citizens call up and complain about Queenie being sent to the zoo, perhaps it will rise to a level of importance that they’ll change the decision and send her to PAWS. – John
Call made to both Sec’y Vilsack and APHIS. Sec’y Vilsack’s office tried to just push me off on APHIS, but I asked the woman there to take my name first. Then I called the number she gave me for APHIS, 202-720-3668, and got some woman who didn’t care what I had to say and didn’t want my name or number until I asked. They’re just going through the motions.
I also sent quite an email to Mr. Berge and Sec’y Vilsack. I’m currently on hold at the White House comment line, 202-456-1111. All operators are busy. I’ll bet they are!
In light of the news that Queenie arrived at the San Antonio Zoo this morning, we ask that you continue to call Secretary Vilsack’s office at 202-720-3631 and express your outrage. Tell him the USDA is responsible for this move and must take immediate action to remove Queenie and send her to the PAWS sanctuary. More info to come.
Per Dr. Mel Richardson on Facebook – Just heard from a reporter in San Antonio, Queenie arrived at the zoo at 0700am this morning and is in the barn!!