Immediately after the vet's visit to Euzet, in Gard, where Dumba is being held, François Schneider, the prosecutor, declared: "This specialist's report indicates that the animal is in good health and is living in suitable conditions." We are asking Barbara Pompili for access to the vet's report. In view of the number of evaluations One Voice has obtained from experts (six!) and their agreement on Dumba's poor state of health, her appalling living conditions and her mental distress, it is important that all reports should be totally transparent and that the law should allow One Voice to have access to the report drawn up on the basis of the examination carried out on the premises of the trainer that contradicts other findings.
It should be remembered that our association is defending the interests of this elephant, which are obviously contrary to those of the person who is exploiting her. It is urgent and essential that the whole of this report be made available to the specialists who have attested in Dumba's favour, who, it is important to note, have no link with the organization.
Mistreatment, a matter of opinion
We maintain that Dumba is being mistreated. There needs to be agreement on what mistreatment is. Are we talking about active mistreatment or passive mistreatment? Each is just as reprehensible as the other and the latter causes just as much damage. Passive mistreatment is failure to provide the animal with care appropriate to its requirements, for example. It does not consist of beatings but of what is hidden from view. In France there is a gap in the law relating to the welfare of wild animals held in captivity: there are no precise guidelines on the requirements of various species. The latest literature on elephants held in captivity confirms that they need to be able to roam freely over several hectares in the company of several other elephants and to communicate their traditions and culture within their group. Being deprived of this possibility constitutes mistreatment. Added to this is the criminal offence of not providing access to food, water and heating.
Two additional expert opinions on Dumba based on our videos and those made by journalists
The two most recent reports agree, as do the four previous reports, on the problems of Dumba's posture and on her breathing, which is very worrying. But for Scott Blais, Chairman, CEO and co-founder of the Global Sanctuary for Elephants, the conditions in which she is being held are harmful and damaging to her welfare:
Comments 39
Charlotte | Saturday 30 October 2021
Vik | Tuesday 16 March 2021
Vik Cooke | Tuesday 16 March 2021
Isaline | Thursday 11 February 2021